What Was Once A Projectile Point... Is Now A Scraper?

[OntarioArch]

While viewing my collection, an experienced artifact collector and amatuer archeologist pointed out that I had a few artifacts displayed upside down! What I thought were 'not too well-sharpened points' or 'not too well crafted knives', with nicely thinned and straight bases.....were actually hafted scrapers. The pointed end would be buried in a wooden shaft and straight, thin, sharp base would be the cutting edge of the scraper. This just never occurred to me. I am now looking at all my 'knives' or 'blades' with a different mindset.

Do you agree these are hafted scrapers? Thanks!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Tdog]

Do you agree these are hafted scrapers? Thanks!

View attachment 1737869
View attachment 1737870

No, they look like preforms to me or possibly finished points.

 

[joshuaream]

I’ll see if I can dig up any pictures from my photobucket, but most purpose built hafted scrapers have a typical scraper edge and are built stout enough to withstand some of the torque forces that would snap most arrow points and knives.

In a pinch, most points or knives work well as scrapers, but if you are going to haft them it makes the job much easier if you have the right build. If you look at yours in side profile classic scrapers tend to be at least somewhat plano-convex, a bevel with the edge towards the flat side, and a bit thicker than what you’d want on a point.

 

[OntarioArch]

I have several 'true' hafted scrapers, some thumb scrapers, some duck-billed scrapers....all stout and strong....and yes I agree that these specimens look to 'frail', too thin. But when a very experienced guy says they are scrapers....it gave me pause.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Preforms for points/knives. Not scrapers. Gary

 

[sandchip]

Here's an exception to the rule, and the only one I've found in over 30 years of looking.

 

[OntarioArch]

Most interesting pic, Sandchip. Mystery solved.

 

[Tdog]

Here's an exception to the rule, and the only one I've found in over 30 years of looking.

View attachment 1738203 View attachment 1738204 View attachment 1738206

View attachment 1738207 View attachment 1738213

With all due respect, that looks like a point whereby the base got snapped off and was retouched in that area afterward and only on that side--probably to conserve the material to make it last longer. In the 2nd pic labeled "328", it can be seen that it is asymmetrical and no attempt was made to touch-up that area. I think if it began life as a scraper, it would be symmetrical whether rounded or squared. JMHO

 

[joshuaream]

Here's an exception to the rule, and the only one I've found in over 30 years of looking.

View attachment 1738206

The profile shot says it all.

If you look at yours in side profile classic scrapers tend to be at least somewhat plano-convex, a bevel with the edge towards the flat side, and a bit thicker than what you’d want on a point.

 

[sandchip]

With all due respect, that looks like a point whereby the base got snapped off and was retouched in that area afterward and only on that side--probably to conserve the material to make it last longer. In the 2nd pic labeled "328", it can be seen that it is asymmetrical and no attempt was made to touch-up that area. I think if it began life as a scraper, it would be symmetrical whether rounded or squared. JMHO

Respectfully, I never said nor implied that my piece began its life as a scraper. I wholeheartedly agree that it looks like a point that was snapped off, but was salvaged by beveling across the break for use as a scraper. Of my many scrapers, some are symmetrical, some are not, their asymmetry not necessarily disqualifying them from having been used as scrapers, especially considering that we have no way of knowing the particular task at hand for which it was created. If it was broken, then salvaged for continued use as a point, retouch from only one face and the resulting thick profile would only make hafting more cumbersome.

 

[A2coins]

That's cool those Indian relics are hard to find and ID

 

[Tdog]

Respectfully, I never said nor implied that my piece began its life as a scraper. I wholeheartedly agree that it looks like a point that was snapped off, but was salvaged by beveling across the break for use as a scraper. Of my many scrapers, some are symmetrical, some are not, their asymmetry not necessarily disqualifying them from having been used as scrapers, especially considering that we have no way of knowing the particular task at hand for which it was created. If it was broken, then salvaged for continued use as a point, retouch from only one face and the resulting thick profile would only make hafting more cumbersome.

I'm glad to see we both are on the same page with this. I misunderstood your comment - "Here's an exception to the rule, and the only one I've found in over 30 years of looking."