will someone explain hafting to me. thank you very much,,,,,

[JUNKYARD DOG]

Hafting, please explain cause its not what i thought it was. I have learned a bunch watching and reading but i know i have alot more to learn. Thanks......JYD

 

[Th3rty7]

basically it's the process of attaching a projectile point or stone tool onto a bone handle, arrow shaft, or spear. Usually attached with a sticky gluey pitch like asphaltum, or animal sinew, often both.

 

[docmann]

Thirty7,
On that same subject, have you ever heard of the hafting of celts? I understood that they were typically placed in wood or horn sockets and used as chisels. However, I recently saw a special suggesting that they were also hafted and used as weapons as well as tools. I've attached a photo of one I found last fall just west of town.
JunkYark, typically the artifact will be grooved bilaterally to accommodate a shaft or stick. Then, of course, it would be tied down with sinew, rope, etc.
docmann

 

[Th3rty7]

Interesting info there doc, I was aware that celts were sometimes hafted. I've seen a couple examples with odd patina changes and was told the darker half of the celt was wedged into a club like piece of wood. I was not aware that they were also used as weapons, but I can definitively see where they could be, it would be a heck of a last ditch, close quarters thumping club. Both of the examples were western, from NM I think. That's a great little hematite celt doc. (assuming that is indeed hematite) a nice example.

 

[docmann]

Thirty,
It appears that you know your celts. Indeed, it is hematite. Found this one and one about 2 cm shorter within 50 yards of each other. This was a Wichita People campsite dated around AD 1250 to 1400. The site was formally excavated in 1994 by OU Archeological Survey, but still a lot of material found as, I understand, only about 5% of site was actually excavated.
Appreciate your comments,
doc

 

[Th3rty7]

here's the first celt I ever found, a mini hematite celt.

 

[docmann]

That appears incredibly smooth. It's amazing how they were able to use the abrasives they had at the time to prodeuce such a finish. Nice piece, thanks
doc

 

[tomclark]

 

[docmann]

I guess a picture is worth a thousand words.
Thanks TC
docmann