Type & Material?

[rockheadhunter421]

I ended up buying a collection of NC artifacts. I don't feel like I got ripped off at all, but this artifact here is definitely something I would like to get some help on. There's going to be a local artifact show this Saturday and I'm going to take this piece there but I figured I'd share it here too. I'm guessing it's maybe a Guilford preform, a large cache blade, or even a flaked celt? Then, I'm trying to figure out what the material is. It definitely looks different for NC, maybe from TN or some state west instead? It kinda looks like Horse Creek chert. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

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[tomclark]

preform, you can see where he screwed up and it wasn't going to turn out as planned.

 

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[rockheadhunter421]

preform, you can see where he screwed up and it wasn't going to turn out as planned.

A preform sounds good to me. You must be talking about where that colored spot is? Right there is where it seems thin enough to be hafted too.

 

[NC field hunter]

Some call these preforms. I think preform is a rather general or basic term, and it's used far to often. Uncertainty is why I'm so drawn to native artifacts. Everyone's theory is a relevant possibility. In my eye, Rockhead, I see a large blade. Notice the base is worked to a flat taper. Next, look an inch or so down. You see a notch, right? I believe these features are fundamentally used for hafting a blade to a handle. Look! It's still used today.



The notch is still located where the blade meets the hafting!! Just an observation of mine. Not asking for followers but wanted to point it out. Nice piece Rockhead!!

 

[rockheadhunter421]

Yea. I definitely see what you mean. I thought this blade had a hafting area, but I wanted to see if anyone else noticed it too. Now I wonder if this material was naturally quarried in NC or somewhere else. It looks like jasper but not any I've ever seen before from NC. I've seen blood red, yellow and brown jasper in NC but not this color. Then, it kinda looks like a Horse Creek chert or even an Edwards Plateau chert. The collection of artifacts I bought was found in the same county as the Baucom Site (the 2nd Hardaway site). I've never collected anything that came from a nearby significant site before. I'm speculating there could be the chance of an exotic material slipping in there. If anyone has any more pictures of materials they think match this one, I might try to consider it. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Wyoming Valley Relics]

It looks like jasper but not any I've ever seen before from NC. I've seen blood red, yellow and brown jasper in NC but not this color.

the jasper here in PA comes in many colors ranging from orange, yellow, brown, and everything in between. Sometimes its glossy , other times dull, but it's all from the same spot. the red comes from heating it in a fire.