Could It Be? Need Your Opinions.

[old digger]

I found this piece on saturday also. It sure looks like the base of an Agate Basin. The base and edges are ground and the shape is there. Herewith is a ''Type'' photo of an Agate Basin for comparison. Let me know what you think, I appreciate your input.

 

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[SOHIO]

I would say that the flaking pattern is what might help in determining if thats what it is....I think it favors a square knife.

 

[NC field hunter]

I'm with Sohio. To me, it doesn't seem to taper down as thin as an agate basin. However, I can not say honestly that I have seen an agate basin in real life. Only pics. As Sohio said above, the agate basin ( in pictures anyway) have small reduction flakes all over. The base here has larger flakes than I would think an agate basin would have. My word is soooo far from the gospel though.

 

[natchitoches]

it looks a little to flat for a Agate Basin
could we get side pictures?

 

[rock]

I think I found the other half of yours. I was looking for that.

 

[old digger]

I forgot the photo of base showing the base grinding. New photo above.

 

[old digger]

Thank You for your suggestions.

 

[11KBP]

I found this piece on saturday also. It sure looks like the base of an Agate Basin. The base and edges are ground and the shape is there.

How thick is this piece? The last pic you posted gives it the appearance of being at least 3/8 inches thick.

 

[Neanderthal]

If it was broken during reduction stages (which looks highly likely), than the grinding is probably due to edge / platform preparation. In other words, it broke on them while making it. Any knapper will tell you that it's common (usually followed by a few swear words).

 

[old digger]

How thick is this piece? The last pic you posted gives it the appearance of being at least 3/8 inches thick.

It shows a strong 1/4 inch thick.

 

[old digger]

If it was broken during reduction stages (which looks highly likely), than the grinding is probably due to edge / platform preparation. In other words, it broke on them while making it. Any knapper will tell you that it's common (usually followed by a few swear words).

Thanks Neanderthal! I didn't swear when I found it, but close. I was REALLY disappointed that it was broken. It does look as you said. The knapper was not completely finished when it broke.

 

[11KBP]

How thick is this piece? The last pic you posted gives it the appearance of being at least 3/8 inches thick.

It shows a strong 1/4 inch thick

Okay, a strong 1/4" thick is more like it and would be within the
range of the specimens from the Agate Basin type site.

It could be as Neanderthal suggested, broken during reduction.
During the reduction process I was under the impression grinding
a location was done just previous to the next flake removal. So,
not being a knapper I am wondering if it was a common practice
to grind all three surfaces, (the base and both basal edges) all
at one time before proceeding with the reduction sequence.
I believe you stated all three of those surfaces were ground.

 

[Neanderthal]

Okay, a strong 1/4" thick is more like it and would be within the
range of the specimens from the Agate Basin type site.

It could be as Neanderthal suggested, broken during reduction.
During the reduction process I was under the impression grinding
a location was done just previous to the next flake removal. So,
not being a knapper I am wondering if it was a common practice
to grind all three surfaces, (the base and both basal edges) all
at one time before proceeding with the reduction sequence.
I believe you stated all three of those surfaces were ground.

In initial cobbling and reduction stages you always have to focus on deltas and isolate those platforms, but when they get to this stage it's quicker (for me at least) to abrade the whole side, sometimes around the whole perimeter before whacking. It just makes things a little more speedy and efficient when you have an abraded, consistent edge to work with. I have a few aboriginal pieces that have the whole distal end or a side abraded, I assume it's due to resharpening preparation.

I know some knappers who abrade the piss out of everything (even the faces) before running a row of flakes, almost to the point of being FOG. I've also noticed some aboriginal knappers practiced that as well, I have seen several (especially to the east) Clovis points that exhibit heaving grinding / abrading on the face.

 

[SOHIO]

 

[old digger]

In initial cobbling and reduction stages you always have to focus on deltas and isolate those platforms, but when they get to this stage it's quicker (for me at least) to abrade the whole side, sometimes around the whole perimeter before whacking. It just makes things a little more speedy and efficient when you have an abraded, consistent edge to work with. I have a few aboriginal pieces that have the whole distal end or a side abraded, I assume it's due to resharpening preparation.

I know some knappers who abrade the piss out of everything (even the faces) before running a row of flakes, almost to the point of being FOG. I've also noticed some aboriginal knappers practiced that as well, I have seen several (especially to the east) Clovis points that exhibit heaving grinding / abrading on the face.

Your analysis and opinion makes a lot of sense. If you look at the piece as it lays flat, you can imagine seeing what the piece would look like with the finishing touches added. Again Thanks for your input.
Here are two more that I have found that are quite similar. hese have a more pronounced grinding on the bases, and also show better lateral flaking.