Extremely Rare and Fine Maine Gouge

[pointdlr]

Been many moons since I found something worth posting. Last week while fishing on a remote lake in Oxford County Maine my luck changed. I got distracted by some large moose tracks, and started following them down the lake shore. I always keep my eyes to the ground, but a little more this year bc the lake is at a 20 year low. I saw the gouge lying channel side down below the normal water line, but dry this year. I started to say to a non artifact buddy walking with me “that looks like a gouge”, but never completed the sentence. I had flipped it over, and KNEW it was a gouge. And a seriously nice “celery” stock variety. Some believe this type dates to the Early Archaic (9000 years ago), but most put all gouges as Red Paint Culture 5000 years ago. Either way, it is super old, super rare, and extremely nice. These pics were taken at the cabin within an hour of finding it

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[uniface]

Looking forward to the pictures.

 

[Tdog]

Looking forward to the pictures.

Likewise!

 

[pointdlr]

Likewise!

Can you see pics now?

 

[Tdog]

Can you see pics now?

Yes in your 1st post.

 

[joshuaream]

Jon,

Congrats on an amazing gouge! That is absolutely banner worthy!

Joshua

 

[dognose]

a fantastic find. Congratulations

 

[pointdlr]

How the heck are you doing, old boy? Send me an email at jondickinson75@cinci.rr.com . Interested in catching up. Must be close to 10 years?

 

[old digger]

Congratulations on a super find!

 

[GaRebel1861]

That's an awesome find! Congratulations.

 

[pickaway]

Congrats on a great find...

 

[Jeff H]

That is a beauty!

 

[MAMucker]

Really nice find in great condition.
Do you have any thoughts regarding material? Is that staining in the flume (not sure of correct term) from the lake?

 

[pointdlr]

Material is a fine grained hardstone. It has some schist in it, but not sure exactly what to call it. The black staining is from the lake. I could probably get most of it off, but don't want to mess with the piece. The channel side was stuck in the mud, but the whole piece was underwater except for years when lake levels drop.

Really nice find in great condition.
Do you have any thoughts regarding material? Is that staining in the flume (not sure of correct term) from the lake?