Sioux quartzite #6 - Grinding Platform / Metate

[vonfatman]

Usually my wife finds these, but recently I was reminded to look for dry springs.
While checking out an area near the top of a ravine - there it lay.
On it's side and looking as though it had had some use.

Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the weekend!

vfm

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

Looks natural, when pictures are blown up can't see any signs of being used for grinding, more like caused by moving water.

 

[CreekSide]

Maybe someone can share a picture of a real one so this person can see what to look for. I’ve never found one so I can’t

 

[vonfatman]

The Sioux quartzite items that I have posted up do not really show flaking because it is so dang-gone hard to flake / work. 7.5 Mors.

It is my understanding that when "flaking" quartz and or quartzite, you can expect much more shattering than flaking as pieces are being removed.
Rates of 80% to above 90% were not uncommon. Tuff stuff!

Around this area, I am told, the items made from Sioux quartzite are generally beat and whacked around with bigger hard rocks to work out the general shape and form. After shaping, they get lots and lots of blows - the peening and pecking begins. Units made of quartz or quartzite have been finished by peening. You can see zillions of tiny blows to the rock with a glass. No flaking marks that I can see.

After peening, many pieces seem to have also had abrasion / been abraded to reach the maker's preferred tool smoothness...one of the hafted scrapers shown in Sioux Quartzite #4 (the triangle unit) was well smoothed IMHO.

Man, all that must work have taken a long time! But hard stone lasts!

Enjoy your day. We are getting a little long overdue rain!
Have fun.

vfm

 

[antmike915]

Also agree with natural

 

[CreekSide]

I’m afraid I will have to put you on block, sorry Von

 

[vonfatman]

Thanks to all who replied.

I endver to improve😉

vfm

 

[unclemac]

matate - Google Search

notice how the center of these is smoother that the edges.... A metate will not "grow" rough in the center when abandoned.

 

[Fred250]

Bipolar reduction-smash rocks and see what you get.