A colorful surprise!

[Wallhangers]

Went back to the fieldsite that gave up quite a few points, scrapers and the game ball a week ago. Thought I had the surface cleaned pretty good but taking it real slow, I found quite a few chips, then a couple scrapers and then spotted the edge of this beauty. With all of the color, I couldn't wait to pluck it and see what it was. A big drill, 2" long x 7/8" wide at the base. I've only found a couple smaller drills in the past and this one is a beauty. Can anyone tell me what purpose would be used for a larger drill like this? Thanks for looking!

 

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[SOHIO]

drills had countless uses in prehistoric times, it would be almost impossible to determine what most drills were specifically used for.

 

[larson1951]

it is a blade rather than a drill
it sure is some nice looking material
it could have been mounted sideways in a slotted rib bone handle

 

[joshuaream]

Most drills are simply resharpened knives. As Larson1951 mentioned, yours looks knife like.

Still a very nice find!

 

[Wallhangers]

I'm ok with it being a knife, thanks for letting me know. Since I'm fairly new at this, it gets confusing since some artifacts are clear-cut and others are maybe's. Thats why I like to post them for your expertise. The picture isn't the best but the material used on this blade makes it one of my best pieces. Thanks again.

 

[SOHIO]

yeah i was going to mention it wasnt a drill last night but you know how folks can be .

 

[larson1951]

hi wallhanger
if you would like to see how this could have been used in a bone handle i could come up with a picture for you
steve

here are a few images of bone knife handle

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/american-indian-artifacts/250435-nother-bone-knife-handle.html

 

[Wallhangers]

hi wallhanger
if you would like to see how this could have been used in a bone handle i could come up with a picture for you
steve

here are a few images of bone knife handle

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/american-indian-artifacts/250435-nother-bone-knife-handle.html

That's cool, thanks for sharing. I also found a nice scraper and another one that I may post later to get opinions. It's worked but larger and thicker than normal. I figured it was either for scraping larger skins or maybe a preform of some sort. Heading out now to a freshly worked field, hopefully can do some good.

 

[larson1951]

hi again wallhanger
that is such a pretty artifact
i thought i had some more images pertaining to what i think your piece could be
i looked through my photo library and found another image that i took at the museum
these are just some more of the reasons why i think you have a beautiful blade
i am not trying to steal your post, i am only trying to give you added info which may pertain to your piece
note the blade on the lower right is made from what we call TRSS (tongue river silicified sediment or gray chert)
steve

 

[Wallhangers]

You're not stealing my post...you are the reason I do post once in a while. I don't post to get attention, just to get answers and I appreciate guys like you that go the extra mile to explain and show examples. That's a great example of how these knives were used, thanks for the compliments on the blade, it continues to grow on me.

 

[SOHIO]

I don't post to get attention,

Me either