antler drifts?

[kansa54]

Back in 2004 I excavated a couple of pits that probably date to the 1500's. Some of the artifacts I recovered were these 3 antler pieces. Always assumed they were used for flint knapping but not 100% sure. The tine could have been a pressure flaker but shows no obvious wear on tip. The other two have been cut and the bottom one shows wear. Would these two be considered as antler drifts?
I have seen a couple of posts in the past about antler drifts so I am hoping to learn a little more about what I might have. Thanks.

 

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[Gravelbar32]

What else did you find in the pits with your antlers?

 

[Tdog]

Steve Valentine has the best collection of antler drifts from the mid west that I know of. He could help here I believe.

 

[H.P.]

Antler drifts or punches used for knapping are straight so as to deliver all the force to a precise prepared platform.

 

[kansa54]

What else did you find in the pits with your antlers?

There was a shaft abrader, mano/nutting stones, large pot shards. A couple flake knives and numerous bone fragments and turtle shell. There was lots of daub covering everything so I assume the dwelling had burned and collapsed into the pits although I think most pits were outside.

 

[crashbandicoot]

I don,t know if it,s applicable here but buttons have been made from antlers,cut off a thin crosscut,punch holes.repeat as needed.I know absolutely nothing about drifts or any of the other terms you used above.This is interesting though.Thanks.

 

[Gravelbar32]

Someone posted a good explanation on here about so called nutting stones actually being used to dress antlers for knapping stone. Made some sense. Maybe they were antlers yet to be dressed?

 

[ToddsPoint]

You can't use the center section of an antler for percussion knapping because of the pith. You need the bur where it attaches to the skull. The middle antler section shown, left side, has the bur for knapping. It has not been dressed so hasn't been used for knapping yet. The drifts I've seen are all very straight. Gary