🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Atlatl Weight? Real or Fake

[Cincyrelics]

Hello - I acquire this piece at a recent Ohio indian artifacts show and wanted to get some thoughts on it. Please see attached photos. Real or Fake? Thank you. Tom

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

Shape isn't something that I've ever came across and drill hole looks to symmetrical. Don't see much banded slate in my area, I'm not an expert just a 50 year collector and have never bought any artifacts! Hopefully someone else can authenticate it.

 

[Cincyrelics]

Shape isn't something that I've ever came across and drill hole looks to symmetrical. Don't see much banded slate in my area, I'm not an expert just a 50 year collector and have never bought any artifacts! Hopefully someone else can authenticate it.

Thank you for your input! Tom

 

[Older The Better]

I’m in same boat, the shape scares me but I don’t have much expertise with slate artifacts so it’s possible

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Need better pictures in focus, especially of inside the hole. We need light that shows inside the hole to see the drilling marks. Natural bright light works best.

 

[Cincyrelics]

Need better pictures in focus, especially of inside the hole. We need light that shows inside the hole to see the drilling marks. Natural bright light works best.

 

[Cincyrelics]

Hopefully these photos are better. If not, I will take additional photos outside tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[ToddsPoint]

That’s called a geniculate style bannerstone. Those are thought to be late archaic. One was found at the Modoc rock shelter in IL and was dated to 3500 BC. It’s among the rarest types. It’s difficult to tell from just pictures if it’s indeed old. I’d say most of the “arrowhead authenticators” out there don’t see much slate. Choose wisely! You need to show it to an advanced slate collector to be sure. I like the looks of it myself. I’m no slate expert though.

 

[newnan man]

That is an interesting artifact. I've never seen one like it before. I have no idea if it's real or not. Sadly, valuable artifacts are heavily faked today & some are very authentic looking. I hope yours is the real deal.

 

[Cincyrelics]

That’s called a geniculate style bannerstone. Those are thought to be late archaic. One was found at the Modoc rock shelter in IL and was dated to 3500 BC. It’s among the rarest types. It’s difficult to tell from just pictures if it’s indeed old. I’d say most of the “arrowhead authenticators” out there don’t see much slate. Choose wisely! You need to show it to an advanced slate collector to be sure. I like the looks of it myself. I’m no slate expert though.View attachment 2197556

Thank you for your input! Tom