New Favorite Point

Huzzah! · Jul 18, 2019

My new favorite point found a few mornings ago. Have not looked up what it could be. Found in central VA. Made of quartzite. I like how clearly you can see the profile and detail emerging.

arrow86 · Jul 18, 2019

Not sure what that was ... maybe broken triangle point

Tdog · Jul 18, 2019

It looks to me that this is the correct orientation for your point...

Quartzite Keith · Jul 18, 2019

I'm not seeing a point, but maybe a flake tool. Maybe my imagination, but looking at the second photo, from the tip down the right edge and again from the base up the left edge, have those areas been pressure flaked to make a cutting edge? Then we have the two spokeshave-like indentations. Maybe coincidental, but particularly the one near the tip looks intentional.

The material is this stuff:
https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/lithics/chalcedonymylonite/

Very common stuff in Virginia, most of it is sheer hell to knap, super tough and has this sort of twisted layering inside such that flakes run fine in one direction, but not all in the other direction, making it hard to make a biface out of. Every so often a true chalcedony-like piece can be found and it a joy to work with. Makes good flake tools, though, being very sharp and very tough.

smokeythecat · Jul 18, 2019

Looks worked for sure, however I can't figure it out.

Huzzah! · Jul 18, 2019

That cutting edge Keith is referring to is exactly how I see it...with the base down in the pictures I uploaded. Below is how it was knapped in my mind. I see a 1/2-complete point with tip growing out of that flake. Thanks for the replies.

And Keith that is interesting it is shear zone chalcedony--but it does has a reddish tinge that is certainly noticeable in any light.

Tdog · Jul 18, 2019

Question... Is this edge already knapped, sharpened and worn down?

Huzzah! · Jul 18, 2019

Tdog--apologies for not addressing that edge. It is not touched in any way. I see where you are coming from.

In the hand it's obvious. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but here in the NA forum a picture ain't worth much-ha!

Quartzite Keith · Jul 18, 2019

That material is always translucent, usually white or yellow with pink, orange and "smoky" being fairly common. I found a point made from it in western Powhatan County. Pretty material, but a rather crude, thick point. When my kids were younger, I would pick up partially tumbled pieces of it from the creeks and polish it in a rock tumbler to make them "treasure" (last photo).

Trezurehunter · Jul 19, 2019

Great looking unfinished point.

MAMucker · Jul 19, 2019

I definitely see a utilized flake there. Not sure I see a point in the making though.

Hope I’m not assuming, but you meant the Mark-up to be humor, right?

I don’t believe that napped points were roughed-out and finished from a flake or blank (notch and all) on one side at a time.

If it’s a broken point, I think Tdog may be on the right track.

Cool lithic material.

Huzzah! · Jul 19, 2019

MA my mark-up is totally serious :laughing7:

On the edge that looks somewhat 'serrated' there is obvious evidence of micro-flaking, and the other exposed edges of what would constitute how I think the point was to be worked have all been worked as well. When I get home I'll try to get a better picture to exhibit that but it may not get any better than what I have here. And to your point concerning how knapped points were worked--I 100% agree...which is why I think this thing is so cool. I've never seen such a stark transition between material and finished product. I've never seen a point worked this way. Thanks for the reply.