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Paleo– The story of the spear point I found early in the hunting season and posted a pic of here, continues to unfold in interesting ways. First opinions from the pros are that it’s either Plainview, around 10,000 years old, or–Clovis! That would put it much older yet. In either case it could be the oldest point ever found in these parts. It’s on it’s way to the U. of NM for examination by the leading expert on stone points in the SW. Now, every time I pass that spot I can’t help but circle around for a while looking for the rest of it. But the standard situation with spear points is that the broken off points are found in hunting areas, and the rest, which tends to stay attached to the spear and so is retrieved by the hunters, are found in camping areas and generally have been reworked into another tool. It’s one thing to “know” that hunters thousands of years ago covered the same terrain that I’m covering now … but an entirely more real and personal feeling to have found evidence that you can hold in your hand of their hunting here, which makes their spirits so virtually palpable that I can almost see them at times, wispy shadows slipping through the dark woods. I could spend eternity like that, the happy hunting grounds.
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1shot — you are right about it being tough to ID a head by the point without the base. And this one will be even tougher since another ID of Clovis besides the fluted base is over-shot flaking, which is common to Clovis and no other type, yet like fluting not absolute. This head has what I would call semi-over-shot flaking! Here’s a cross-section of the broken base:
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That’s too cool, Paleo. A guy in the adjoining county found a fantastic Clovis point a few weeks ago. Just the worked edge was showing in the sand of a small creek. The man who made that point surely saw mammoths and other ice age megafauna.
I know I’ve mentioned it before (but it fascinates me so I’ll blabber on some more even if you’ve heard it:lol:) but we have found a fair number of artifacts on our little farm. The area where I find most of them is classically situated for a village or camp location. A point of high ground on a bluff above a major creek with a small tributary to the west. Near endless creek swamp (still loaded with game) on the east and west, and sunny uplands stretching away to the south.
I have found intact projectile points (Bolen Bevel) dating to the early Archaic (7,000-10,000 bp), as well as at least four different pottery types belonging to three different cultures, some as recently as contact era. In other words, the area has been used by different peoples over many thousands of years as both hunting grounds and as a village/seasonal camp. My family’s history on the land is a mere blink in comparison, but a history and a connection nonetheless. But it is incredible to hold a tool crafted by someone who lived, hunted, loved, and possibly died on the same ground I’m so attached to. I sometimes just sit there and imagine what it looked like, and try to smell the campfires.
Here’s a few pics of pottery, points, and flake knives, etc.
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I’m having fun with this one too. I’ve been gathering stuff for a long, long time 😀 This a fossilized bone from something. About 8″ long and 4 1/2″ at widest point.
Interesting piece of petrified wood. Just smooth as glass. We think it might have been used in the animal hide working process. It’s about 5″x7″ and 1 3/4″ thick. I found both of these within 50 yds. of each other a couple of years ago. I have a big place to look for goodies whilst chasing stump shot arrows. When hunting too.
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David Petersen wrote: 1shot — Now that’s a truly primitive head. Either it’s super old, or was made by a 5-year-old. What is the name of your stone point ID guide book? I didn’t know such a thing exists. I just picked up a piece of local quartzite on the dog walk today and plan to destroy it in a crude attempt to see if I can get a sharp edge.
I’m also enjoying this thread a lot, and learning more than a little. Thanks for starting it up, Paleo, and thanks to all.
Dave – here’s one made of quartz my brother found in western Ma. when we were kids. I would think working quartz would be a tough job.
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That’ll be interesting to sort through while wind blowing 30-40 mph out today and tomorrow. I have this book but it’s pretty much geological like it’s title says. I oughta be hunting but in this open country and high winds all I ever do is kick things out of deep draws and they haul butt. I don’t do running shots, not because I can’t, but I can’t:D and won’t.
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