A New England Classic, an Anomaly and a Question Mark

[MAMucker]

I was able to catch the tide just right yesterday at sunset, and took a walk in the muck.
The day temperature hit the mid 40s in the sun, but dropped to freezing during my short walk. That hurt.

Thoughts welcome.

Here’s the New England Classic. It’s a well used (Quartz) Merrimack Stemmed Point. The stem is ground smooth, but the blade edges still hold an edge. This is a Late Archaic type.




This Anomaly (point or tool) is strange in that it is crudely drill-like with the very flat bottom (I’ll call it the base) having the stone’s rind (or cortex).




The next (the Question Mark), I’m posting with a little hesitation. It appears to be an ancient piece of shell ground into a triangle point. I’ll let it speak for itself. Let me know if anyone has questions or knowledge to assist.

 

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[Jeff H]

I've always been fond of those smokey quartz points Mucker. Not sure about the shell triangle though.

 

[MAMucker]

I've always been fond of those smokey quartz points Mucker. Not sure about the shell triangle though.

I know what you mean. I’m not sure about it either. We have metal trade points here from the contact period that are roughly the same size and shape. Probably a coincidence. Thought I’d throw it out there on speculation.

 

[Tdog]

I'd put the shell triangle in my artifact graveyard for further analysis. Much better place for the other two pictured! :lol:

 

[Charl]

Regarding the anomaly, recall that Boudreau concluded that most of our “small stem points”, such as Wading River, Squibnocket Stemmed, etc., were never used as projectiles, but rather for cutting, graving, boring, and scoring operations, as described at the essay at the link, and reproduced in his typology. And cortex at the base is also not uncommon among small stem types. So, just a thought, but it looks like a small stem variety tool to my eyes.

https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1185&context=bmas

 

[H.P.]

Little jewels...my thought on shell is reminiscent of shark tooth pendants.shell doesn’t break naturally like that

 

[southfork]

Nice finds the shell looks worked / shaped a keeper for sure .

 

[MAMucker]

Regarding the anomaly, recall that Boudreau concluded that most of our “small stem points”, such as Wading River, Squibnocket Stemmed, etc., were never used as projectiles, but rather for cutting, graving, boring, and scoring operations, as described at the essay at the link, and reproduced in his typology. And cortex at the base is also not uncommon among small stem types. So, just a thought, but it looks like a small stem variety tool to my eyes.

https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1185&context=bmas

I always appreciate your insight Charlie.

Thanks for posting the original and expanded version of ‘Rethinking Small Stemmed Points’. I have no doubt that this artifact (clearly a tool) is a product of the Pebble Industry. It’s surely not a projectile point.
Just to speculate on use, it could be a punch, auger, nail or some kind of picking or graving tool.

 

[newnan man]

I agree with HP. That shell has been worked. Nice finds.