Big Blade Today..what is it?

[eastTNJoe]

Windy and snow today, but that didn't stop me from looking this morning. I only found one whole piece, but it was the biggest item I have ever found. Now I just wonder what it was used for? It seems to heavy and big for any kind of projectile. I would love input. Thanks!

 

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[NC field hunter]

It looks like a preform that I have. However, your piece shows more work. I still think its a preform, and a nice one. Is it obsidian? Here is my preform, for comparison.

 

[eastTNJoe]

It seems like the same dark flint I find here in TN. Does preform mean that it is kind of like the rough draft of a manuscript that someone started to work on but never finished? Thanks for your input.

 

[rock]

It is big but I would say preform also. Might of been turned into a scraper if they didnt think it would make a spearhead. I like that material.

 

[rock]

I see some inclusions where the stem would of been so I am guessing they decided not to finish it as a spearhead. Way to big for a arrowhead. Nice scraper though.

 

[theviking]

I think NC is headed in the right direction. IMHO it falls into the preform/knife/scraper category. Material looks like Kanawha chert, but probably a type of chert local to your area. Cool find, thanks for the view.

 

[NC field hunter]

It seems like the same dark flint I find here in TN. Does preform mean that it is kind of like the rough draft of a manuscript that someone started to work on but never finished? Thanks for your input.

You nailed it. See the part on yours that still has the outer "rind" of the stone it was shaped from? That pretty well let's me know this was a work in progress. Not all preforms were unused. I think your find was used. I see what appears to be impact damage on the point. The sides were worked down also. That makes me think they used it as a blade.you could call it a blade, and still be correct I would think. Heck of a fine piece! No heart ache there!

 

[GaRebel1861]

Whatever it ends up being called, it's a nice find!

 

[eastTNJoe]

Thanks everyone for your expertise. I really wasn't sure what I had found, but I knew it wasn't an arrowhead!...Although when I found it, all that was exposed was just 1/2 of the crown of the blade. The black material caught my eye just enough to lean down and swipe away some of the sand on top. Glad I did!

 

[Aleisters]

The base reminds me of a Morrow Mountain, I have seen some very crude ones, nicely flaked ones, bigs uns, little uns.

 

[NC field hunter]

The base reminds me of a Morrow Mountain, I have seen some very crude ones, nicely flaked ones, bigs uns, little uns.

The preform that I posted is no doubt morrow mt. I'm thinking the same for the original poster's. good call!