Paleo-Archaic point and natural stone

[CloudKicker0]

This is my first and only point I’ve ever found, and I guess you could say that it found me because at the time I wasn’t looking for it while I was walking down the beach (Eastern NC surface find). Now mostly wherever I go I’m scanning the ground for artifacts and anomalies.

I posted some pictures back in May 2020, but have since received some new information from a state archeologist whose name I’ll respectfully hold in anonymity.

“The projectile point looks similar to what we would call a Hardaway side-notched, though the side notching is not as pronounced as many examples and it has likely been heavily resharpened. The base looks like its been ground, which is a common feature on late Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic points in this area. This type of point likely dates to 10-11,000 years ago. The material is interesting and while it is likely still a variety of metavolcanic stone, which the majority of stone tools are made out of in NC, it is not a type I am very familiar with.”

I’ve “scoured” the internet for a point of like-material but have been unsuccessful. Does that make it an unclassified piece? Would someone please share pictures of a point with similar material?

I’m also sharing some pictures of a natural rock of somewhat similar material. If anyone can see any signs of flaking/grinding or shaping would you please help share with this novice?

 

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[Tdog]

I'd say the material is a type of Rhyolite. Nice first find.

 

[Tnmountains]

Congratulations on your first artifact!

 

[CHUDs]

This is my first and only point I’ve ever found, and I guess you could say that it found me because at the time I wasn’t looking for it while I was walking down the beach (Eastern NC surface find). Now mostly wherever I go I’m scanning the ground for artifacts and anomalies.

I posted some pictures back in May 2020, but have since received some new information from a state archeologist whose name I’ll respectfully hold in anonymity.

“The projectile point looks similar to what we would call a Hardaway side-notched, though the side notching is not as pronounced as many examples and it has likely been heavily resharpened. The base looks like its been ground, which is a common feature on late Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic points in this area. This type of point likely dates to 10-11,000 years ago. The material is interesting and while it is likely still a variety of metavolcanic stone, which the majority of stone tools are made out of in NC, it is not a type I am very familiar with.”

I’ve “scoured” the internet for a point of like-material but have been unsuccessful. Does that make it an unclassified piece? Would someone please share pictures of a point with similar material?

I’m also sharing some pictures of a natural rock of somewhat similar material. If anyone can see any signs of flaking/grinding or shaping would you please help share with this novice?

Once you’ve found one, it gets hard to look up when you’re in certain areas. Congrats!

 

[antmike915]

Definitely one, wicked style of rhyolite. Congratulations on your 1st, bet you're addicted now 🙂

 

[Charl]

I have a hard time seeing it as a variant of Hardaway Side Notch. This illustration of North Carolina points shows Hardaway Side Notch points in the bottom two rows. Note deep concave base, delicate but well defined side notches, and recurved ears so typical of these points.

I agree the material is likely a variety of rhyolite. I love rhyolite, and if that’s the material, it’s some nice looking stuff! Very nice point…

 

[CloudKicker0]

Any thoughts on the natural stone? Any signs of human work?

 

[CloudKicker0]

Thanks all for the likes on the point!

 

[uniface]

FWIW, type one, the earliest type of Hardaway points (top rows of that excellent assemblage) are more waisted than notched. Bottom rows are type threes (final form -- essentially eastern San Patrice points). (Cache River points from Arkansas can be pretty similar). FWIW

 

[CloudKicker0]

This is my first and only point I’ve ever found, and I guess you could say that it found me because at the time I wasn’t looking for it while I was walking down the beach (Eastern NC surface find). Now mostly wherever I go I’m scanning the ground for artifacts and anomalies.

I posted some pictures back in May 2020, but have since received some new information from a state archeologist whose name I’ll respectfully hold in anonymity.

“The projectile point looks similar to what we would call a Hardaway side-notched, though the side notching is not as pronounced as many examples and it has likely been heavily resharpened. The base looks like its been ground, which is a common feature on late Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic points in this area. This type of point likely dates to 10-11,000 years ago. The material is interesting and while it is likely still a variety of metavolcanic stone, which the majority of stone tools are made out of in NC, it is not a type I am very familiar with.”

I’ve “scoured” the internet for a point of like-material but have been unsuccessful. Does that make it an unclassified piece? Would someone please share pictures of a point with similar material?

I’m also sharing some pictures of a natural rock of somewhat similar material. If anyone can see any signs of flaking/grinding or shaping would you please help share with this novice?

So, I still haven’t seen any comparable pictures of this material. Does anyone out there think there’s at least a 1% chance that this is meteorite (chondrite)?

 

[antmike915]

It's not. The material on your artifact is rhyolite. Anything meteorite is most likely un knappable by ancient techniques.

 

[CloudKicker0]

It's not. The material on your artifact is rhyolite. Anything meteorite is most likely un knappable by ancient techniques.

Alright. I hear you. Fair enough. So show me a comparable worked rhyolite stone material and I’ll believe you.

 

[CloudKicker0]

Alright. I hear you. Fair enough. So show me a comparable worked rhyolite stone material and I’ll believe you.

Believe me, I’ve looked!

 

[CloudKicker0]

Believe me, I’ve looked!

REALLY want to see another rhyolite point with comparable TEXTURE!!!

 

[antmike915]

Alright. I hear you. Fair enough. So show me a comparable worked rhyolite stone material and I’ll believe you.

Wish I could, never found any of the material in my areas. Hopefully someone will come along and post some examples.

 

[Charl]

FWIW, type one, the earliest type of Hardaway points (top rows of that excellent assemblage) are more waisted than notched. Bottom rows are type threes (final form -- essentially eastern San Patrice points). (Cache River points from Arkansas can be pretty similar). FWIW

I don’t have the photo caption or page in front of me at the moment. But it came from a North Carolina archaeological laboratory website. The top row was described as Hardaway Blades, the 2nd row as Hardaway-Dalton points, and the last two rows as Hardaway Side Notch points.

I don’t personally believe the point in this thread is related to Hardaway points…..

 

[Tdog]

Examples of Rhyolite from many places...

rhyolite - Google Search

 

[CloudKicker0]

Examples of Rhyolite from many places...

https://www.google.com/search?q=rhy...4Ag&bih=937&biw=1920&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS858US858

Thanks Tdog!

 

[CloudKicker0]

This is my first and only point I’ve ever found, and I guess you could say that it found me because at the time I wasn’t looking for it while I was walking down the beach (Eastern NC surface find). Now mostly wherever I go I’m scanning the ground for artifacts and anomalies.

I posted some pictures back in May 2020, but have since received some new information from a state archeologist whose name I’ll respectfully hold in anonymity.

“The projectile point looks similar to what we would call a Hardaway side-notched, though the side notching is not as pronounced as many examples and it has likely been heavily resharpened. The base looks like its been ground, which is a common feature on late Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic points in this area. This type of point likely dates to 10-11,000 years ago. The material is interesting and while it is likely still a variety of metavolcanic stone, which the majority of stone tools are made out of in NC, it is not a type I am very familiar with.”

I’ve “scoured” the internet for a point of like-material but have been unsuccessful. Does that make it an unclassified piece? Would someone please share pictures of a point with similar material?

I’m also sharing some pictures of a natural rock of somewhat similar material. If anyone can see any signs of flaking/grinding or shaping would you please help share with this novice?

Andesite: Fine-Grained Intermediate Rock

There are no volcanoes in or around my area in coastal NC. As I understand it, this type of rock was ejected from a volcano! Adds to the mystery. Where did the point travel from? Far far away I suppose.

 

[uniface]

FWIW, I was referencing Coe's (1956 ?) breakdown of them. Or at least I think I was. (Past age 70 memory can becan adventure).