Stone Tools

[The Grim Reaper]

This post is not directed at anyone in particular. I am just posting this so people can get an understanding of just what is and what isn't a Stone Tool manufactured by ancient man.

Stone was shaped into useful Tools with another stone. In other words, they would take the desired stone they wanted to make into an Axe, Celt, Pestle, etc and use a Peck Stone to peck the rock into the Tool they wanted. This would leave the object rough and without a sharp blade edge.This is when the grinding a polishing began which I'm sure was a long, drawn out process. If you know what to look for you can see this process on almost every stone tool you find. There are times when the piece is so highly polished that all of the peck marks are gone, but most of the time the peck marks are still evident somewhere on the object.

These loaded out of order, but the first two pictures are of a personal find and a perfect example of what I am talking about. This Axe is polished smooth a glass on the bit and the face on both sides and inside the groove. But just behind the groove you can see the peck marks from where it was pecked into shape.

Pictures #6 and #12 show Peck Stones found on sites where we found Celts, Axes, Pestles, etc. If you look closely you can see the peck marks on quite a few pieces in these pictures. Another interesting note is the smaller of the two Pestles side by side has been pecked into shape but the dark line you see around the edge in the original outer rind of the stone they left on purpose. It is polished all around the base.

I hope this helps and everyone please feel free to add your Stone Tools to the thread so we can get a good discussion going.

 

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[sandchip]

Nice grouping there, Grim! The axe in the first two pictures appears to be a 3/4 groove axe, but what caught my eye is that the top in front of the groove appears to be fluted, something that one would expect to see running full-length along the bottom. If that's the case, I would think it would be quite rare. Is that what's going on, or are my old eyes playing tricks on me? Whatever the case, it's a beauty. We rarely see grooved axes down this way.

 

[dts52]

Beautiful pieces!
HH
dts

 

[sweetmimzim3]

This is why I love this site! I come here to learn, and the people who have the knowledge teach. One of my biggest problems is my untrained eye and wandering imagination. It is very much appreciated that you post these for the novice to learn. There really isn't a ton of easy to understand stuff on the internet to learn from. Thanks

 

[1320]

What in the world is this one made of? Looks like iron ore "crust". Very cool piece Grim.

 

[tnmudman]

wow! really nice display of hardstone i love seeing that i just wish i could see some in the fields i hunt

 

[bill_wabo]

Very interesting and educative post, thanks Mr Reaper. Don't come get me now, I have many places to detect before passing the other side.

 

[Jon Stewart]

OUTSTANDING collection. never found an axe and it hasn't been because I haven't tried. I flip rocks constantly and have around 75 mano's (24 this past Feb) for my efforts. An axe and shaft straightener would put me into hunting retirement, lol. We also only hunt one month out of the year, during the winter.

 

[arrow86]

Good post ... There has been many times where I find something that is right shape but is questionable and I usually default to if I can see pecking on it. Once I really started looking over everything I have found from points to pestles to axe head and learned what to look for it really helped while out searching. I don't have much hard stone but this is my baby : ) .... Only axe I have ever found

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Nice grouping there, Grim! The axe in the first two pictures appears to be a 3/4 groove axe, but what caught my eye is that the top in front of the groove appears to be fluted, something that one would expect to see running full-length along the bottom. If that's the case, I would think it would be quite rare. Is that what's going on, or are my old eyes playing tricks on me? Whatever the case, it's a beauty. We rarely see grooved axes down this way.

Thanks, and yes, you are seeing a groove along the top edge. It also has the groove along the bottom for hafting purposes. Only One I have ever personally seen made like this so it guess it's kind of rare. lol

I am actually getting ready to go hunt the place this Axe came from so I always hope for another one. Lots of Hematite in that area too.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

What in the world is this one made of? Looks like iron ore "crust". Very cool piece Grim.

That one is made from what I believe is Limonite. It is similar to Hematite, but will normally have a softer inner core that will be yellowish in color. Part of the outer crust has broken off of this piece but it shows polish along the exposed edge so it was utilized after the breakage.

 

[Carolina Tom]

Thanks for the education GR!

Very nice set of finds sir.

 

[unclemac]

thanks...beyond obvious, nice pix

 

[sandchip]

Thanks, and yes, you are seeing a groove along the top edge. It also has the groove along the bottom for hafting purposes. Only One I have ever personally seen made like this so it guess it's kind of rare. lol

I am actually getting ready to go hunt the place this Axe came from so I always hope for another one. Lots of Hematite in that area too.

I love it. It's a killer. Good luck hunting, man.

 

[GaRebel1861]

Very impressive collection!

 

[crj1968]

Sorry Grim, those all look natural to me. No evidence of being altered by man.




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couldn't help myself. Nice pieces for sure! thx for posting them

 

[Kray Gelder]

Impressive collection. Are these weapons? I am trying to imagine what utility they would have had, I don't see someone chopping a tree with them, unless they were much sharper at one time.

 

[unclemac]

Sorry Grim, those all look natural to me. No evidence of being altered by man.




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couldn't help myself. Nice pieces for sure! thx for posting them

have to agree... they all look river tumbled to me...maybe some Jesuit scratches on the third one from the left though....

 

[crj1968]

..maybe some Jesuit scratches on the third one from the left though....

Ohhhh snap !

 

[astralea1692]

I've been collecting (mainly my own finds) for yr.s; I have now came to a point in life, where I should be sharing/selling off quite a few PC.s, although none have been authenticated.I'm in southern In., where native Americans were in an Nancy, along with the area where the third glacier pushed to. Any advice on selling ? Appreciate any. (& yes, I hoard many gemstones, fossils,etc. Since the area is plentiful).Thanks!!!