Arrowhead??

[Gregg3131]

Found while metal detecting. Don’t know much about arrowheads. Is this one or just a rock? Tip is pretty sharp. If authentic any info on type and age? Thanks

 

[old digger]

It kind of looks like there is some type of flaking, but looks like someone started to work it and them tossed it. You normally cannot tell the age of a arrowhead without a base.

 

[Older The Better]

I like it for a tool but maybe a preform still?

 

[Plug N Play]

The brown represents the unmodified part of the stone, as the maker found it.
The yellow is probably also ... can't tell from the pics.

What we see is 360 degree chipping (red) on the first side, leaving the unmodified part untouched.
On the second side, very close to 360 degree chipping, again.

The break across the bottom wasn't from manufacture.
It most likely was a break while hafted or long after the era ... plows, etc ...

The extensive chipping leaves every indication of a completed tool.
A tip.
Two symmetrical running edges.
Both edges run down to a shoulder.
The symmetry of the tang is off a little, but ... with the stick attached, it wouldn't matter. The stick and the stone would be symmetrical.
Size wise, it could have been a large arrowhead or a small knife ... the most likely tool, though, would be an atlatl dart point.

It was a completed tool ... far too many indicators to deny that.

 

[Gregg3131]

Plug n play great info. This was found in Central Va if that helps. Any idea how old?

 

[Tony in SC]

TRY POSTING OVER ON THE North American artifact forum.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

TRY POSTING OVER ON THE North American artifact forum.

You took the words right out of my mouth Tony ... North American Indian Artifacts
Dave

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I agree with Plug N Play that it is too big for an arrow. Atl atl tip or spear tip.

 

[civil_war22]

Still an arrowhead in my point. No pun intended. Anything like that I would keep, and display.

 

[Terry In Florida]

what kind of shaft would go with an arrow that size? I always thought and read that most of the arrow heads were rather small, didn't need to be big, just a good solid point on the end of a slim shaft. I would guess knife or spear head, would make the end of a handy stick hard and pointy, lol.

 

[civil_war22]

I’ve seen some massive points. Some of which were not used on arrows, rather spears, or were built for larger game. A blade would be more of one side with more to hold on to, and the base is broke. It would be hard to attach sinew to that base. Might have broke while using it, or broke while working on it and chose to just use it for a skinner. Some that size get reworked into smaller points they could actually use on a arrow.

 

[Gregg3131]

Thanks for all the great info

 

[Ripcon]

Definitely a native american lithic blade - meaning it could've been used as a knife or tool or was in the processing of being shaped into a finished projectile point. Nice find.

 

[Gregg3131]

Thanks Ripcon