Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Tnmountains · Sep 26, 2009

Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Found this in a pile of gravels on a river this summer. It measures four inches long and looks either worn down exhausted or maybe not finished. My guess on material is Fort Payne chert.
Anyone have any ideas or seen something similiar? I appreciate your thoughts. From the S.E section of Tn.
Thank you !!!! :hello:

TnMountains

Th3rty7 · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Interesting piece, looks similar to some Turkeytail forms I've seen. May be some kind of plan b, or one off notched knife

Neanderthal · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Looks like it could be a Snake Creek knife. The notches are pretty far down on yours, more typically they are notched more centrally.

extractor · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

:dontknow:

Tnmountains · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

I know its a rough item. With whats remaining of the shape its hard to tell. I did not consider turkey tail or snake river. I have a turkey tail from the same area but its way diffrent. Had to google the snake river and you are right about the notches being more centered. The side edges are good or worn but the base is set up with many step fractures some having been knocked off others were not.
I am thinking it was moving to drill form but had to start out as someting? Here is a typical local drill and a local Turkey tail harrison type? lol.
Im lost but liking it.
Thanks for the input. Hope this helps.
TnMtns

Neanderthal · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

TnMountains said:
I know its a rough item. With whats remaining of the shape its hard to tell. I did not consider turkey tail or snake river. I have a turkey tail from the same area but its way diffrent. Had to google the snake river and you are right about the notches being more centered. The side edges are good or worn but the base is set up with many step fractures some having been knocked off others were not.
I am thinking it was moving to drill form but had to start out as someting? Here is a typical local drill and a local Turkey tail harrison type? lol.
Im lost but liking it.
Thanks for the input. Hope this helps.
TnMtns

Not Snake River, Snake Creek. Snake River are western dart points. Snake Creek are a large eastern knife, known for TN and KY (primarily). They are Archaic lanceolates with side notches in the lower to mid-section of the blade. They can get very large, attaining a length well over 8". Some can be double notched, and the bases are rounded or contracting to a point. I've seen examples that have well defined side notches, and others that are very shallow.

They aren't a mainstream (or well-known) type, therefore they are often misidentified or looked over in collections.

Tnmountains · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Thank you Matt. I mistyped literally and figuratively. I saw an example from the next county over. I would enjoy finding a decent one of those. :thumbsup:

creek astronaut · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

cant give you an id,but it does look to be double notched to me.very cool piece. :thumbsup:

Jonnyreb · Sep 26, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Hey, nothing ugly about that point. Its definately a double notch of some type. I'd have to go with what Matt says. (Neanderthal)

Tnmountains · Sep 27, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Ok worked hard on this one . I wish it was what Matt was calling it but look at this and see what you all think?
Its a Tn Beacon island? Saw it on E-Bay !!!! Five smacaroos for a pretty one.

Neanderthal · Sep 27, 2009

Re: Ugly but cool @ 4". What is it?

Beacon Island did enter my mind, but so did Merkle. Beacon Island are a stemmed (bulbous), kinda like an "eastern Palmillas"

. The bottom example you posted a pic of looks Beacon Island all of the way - notice that bulbous stem? However, from the picture...your artifact in question doesn't appear stemmed. It looks more like it has side notches high up on the blade area, which is an identifier for Snake Creek. But, pics lie and I may change my mind if I had it in my hand. In the long run, it's your artifact and you can call it whatever you want (I'd name it festus) :laughing7: