✅ SOLVED Questionable slate piece and questionable chert

[EricTheCat]

I walked some local fields today for over 5 hours. As usual I only came home with head scratchers and agates. Even so, the 5+ hours felt like about 1 hour. Time really got away from me. At least if I didn't look I would not find anything so I gave it a chance.

I wondered if anyone could shed some light on this piece of slate. It's clearly not naturally shaped but my suspicion is it is modern and not ancient as I have never seen a slate artifact with this kind of shape. Especially the way the non-broken end is perfectly flat doesn't look like any artifact I have ever seen. What do you think, should I use it to level my dryer?
















Also I figure this piece of chert is probably natural but figured I would see if anyone can help me put it to rest. The biggest red flag on this one is that it has a pocket of quartz which would make this particular piece of material less than ideal. It does have a nice sharp edge that looks a little less accidental than other broken pieces I find.











Thanks for looking.

 

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[Indian Steve]

The first piece is a broke sharpening stone. It was not Native made. I have one in the basement somewhere.

 

[EricTheCat]

The first piece is a broke sharpening stone. It was not Native made. I have one in the basement somewhere.

Thanks Steve. That makes a lot of sense.

 

[crj1968]

Man, do I know what you mean by the time getting away from you...ooops late for dinner again !

Hmmm, I can't say for sure but that piece looks like a well used/ worn scraper/knife to me. Seems to me a chert artifact with some quartz mixed in isn't that uncommon

 

[willjo]

The second piece looks like a backed knife and if that was the only piece of stone they had they would have used it for knife.

 

[EricTheCat]

Thanks crj1968 and willjo!

I thought I would add another pic that better shows some of the texture that made me ask about it. Near the top center there are two "rows" side by side where it appears there were flakes removed.

 

[crj1968]

When I find things like that I also take into account is if the material is all around the same area, or did it travel there.

 

[EricTheCat]

When I find things like that I also take into account is if the material is all around the same area, or did it travel there.

The material is very common around here. I find many pieces big and small. It is the dominant material for artifacts in this area.

I don't think I'll ever be 100% on this piece. It's going in my curiosity pile. I'm going to mark this solved and hope to find something better at the next spot.

Thanks for looking.