Basalt Core?

[Tesorodeoro]

I’ve found similar shaped and size cores of chert in this area as well as thin flakes of basalt. I picked this up thinking it might be a basalt core. Any thoughts? Found in Far Northern California near NA occupation area.

Flakes found like this one..not sure if these were used for something or just debris from other tool making processes.
looking to learn.

 

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[CHUDs]

I’m not well versed on lithic types but the basalt I find in the central Sierras is very black and typically smooth/almost shiny.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I’m not well versed on lithic types but the basalt I find in the central Sierras is very black and typically smooth/almost shiny.

I’m not too hung up on a lithic type, more so interested if flakes from basalt type material was harvested from a core similar to how chert flakes are. Is there a resultant core of similar shape?

By the way here are a few images of what Google says basalt looks like.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I’m not well versed on lithic types but the basalt I find in the central Sierras is very black and typically smooth/almost shiny.

seems like it is not as valuable as a material to be whittled down to an exhausted core. I’m kind of thinking it’s just a fragment of basalt. Perhaps debitage.

 

[southfork]

Here's a Basalt core that may have been used as a chopper. The luster is normally dull with a grainy texture light to dark in color in my area. And yes, flakes were driven off for tools and points.

 

[uniface]

A lot of marginal quality stuff got used because it was handy. Or all there was to use.

FWIW

 

[southfork]

It's one of those mystery's why marginal materials were used? When there was a such a quantity of excellent material available at least where I hunt.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

It's one of those mystery's why marginal materials were used? When there was a such a quantity of excellent material available at least where I hunt.

We would only know if we abandoned all of our modern tools and relied upon Mother Nature exclusively. Then it would all make sense.