What do you think it is?

[badandy]

Hey all, I bought this piece from the finder recently and no one can decide what to call it. Some say paleo knife, hairpin, uniface knife, perforator, and awl. It's 4" long and 7/8 of an inch at it's widest. Made from creek stained burlington and was found in St. Clair Co., IL. I have never seen one like it but have heard of one found in Kentucky. It is only worked on one side and smooth on the other.

 

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[Rockhunter in Ohio]

Nice piece Badandy!

To me it looks like a Paleo Uniface blade that has been sharpened to exhaustion and became an awl/drill.

JMHO

Rockhunter

 

[badandy]

Thanks Rockhunter! If it is a uniface paleo blade isn't it quite large for the type?
badandy

 

[Rockhunter in Ohio]

I have seen a several in the 5-6 inch range, but most Ohio specimens average 3 to 4 inches.

 

[badandy]

Right on, Thanks!
badandy

 

[Cannonman17]

Large flakes have been used throughout history, resharpend examples like this have been found in archaic and woodland middens. I am also aware of at least one cache from a late mississippian grave also. Of course it could be paleo too....