given the smoothness of the creek erosion i would say it is a chip but either way that thing pops in your hand!
It really does "just pop in your hand".
It has that quality that makes you want to hold it.
Weighty and balanced, it feels just so, in your palm.
I think it's a great artifact and possibly quite ancient.
The obsidian is top quality, as is the knapping.
I think it's percussion flaked in a transverse style.
Big, bold flakes - efficient and skilled.
I love the patina and wear.
It's lost it's glassiness for a cool matte finish that still shines a little, yet retains good definition on the flaking.
It's very nicely made.
The base is interesting as it retains cortex and is an almost perfect triangle, demonstrating great symmetry.
I've ben examining it carefully, with an open mind, and have come to the conclusion that the cleft is intentional.
I know you know your stuff, unclemac, so I'm just floating these observations out there, not to contradict you, but tell you what you can't see in the pics.
At first, when I first pulled it from the creek, I assumed the 'notch was a break too.
But looking carefully I saw several things that persuaded me it was deliberate:-
The cleft looks to be the result of a single strike, but it's almost perfect, which would be flukey for nature but not for a skilled knapper.
The patina in the cleft matches the the rest of the material mostly ( though, admittedly, there is a slightly fresher look to the median at center of the cleft, but that can be seen along the edges and represents minor creek damage, I think.
The notch has a very familiar look.
I have a bunch of pieces that exhibit similar.
Mostly they are weak, in terms of morphology, but always made by single strike.
They are common on local lanceolate bifaces.
The cleft on this piece is very strong but seems executed in the same manner.
Also there is a hint of cortex at the edge of the cleft that most likely would have been removed, if it had been sharpened to a point.
Then there is the single notch on the side that doesn't make much sense on an un-hafted blade but does on a multi-purpose tool.
So, for me, it's an unbroken piece and maybe one of my favourites.
Sorry to ramble.
Just wanted to talk about it.
