Axe and Celt found in close proximity the same day

[dognose]

Just after finding my first axe, described here, on 03/18/1990 I found both this full grooved axe and this square polled celt, in the same field in Henry County Indiana.

The full groove axes is 5 1/2 inches in length.
The celt is 6 5/8 inches in length and has minor plow strikes on both sides.
Reviewing Lar Hothems book, Indian Axes and Related Stone Artifacts, this celt would be classified as a Hopewell Rectangular Celt. Chapter XI, page 97
The text states: "These are usually very well-made artifacts. The poll and bit are almost the same width, and the sides are sometimes excurvate but may be nearly straight. Both faces are somewhat flat and often highly polished; only rarely do peck marks remain near the poll area." Dimensions: 2 - 9 inches


While the Adena rectangular poll celt description is very close to the relic, the dimensions given for this celt are smaller than that above.

This is one example of the times I have found multiple hardstone on the same day in the same field. This lends credence to the implied Carr's rule of Hardstone.

Makes me nostalgic for the mold board plowing days.

 

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[robertk]

Very cool finds.

Makes me nostalgic for the mold board plowing days.

Yep. I used to find things every spring. But now, not for a long time.

 

[Nwohseeker]

Ok I’ll bite, what is Carr’s rule for hardstone?

 

[CreekSide]

Nice material

 

[UnderMiner]

Wahwah we wah! Very nice!

 

[ToddsPoint]

The Celt is diorite. Very nice!👍🏻

 

[dognose]

Ok I’ll bite, what is Carr’s rule for hardstone?

Lar Hothems book, Indian Axes and Related Stone Artifacts, Chapter XXVII page 208 is titled "Finding Axes - How, When and Where. When I first obtained this book from Lar at the New Castle Indiana relic show in 1997, I studied the book and focused on this chapter. The chapter starts:
"One of the things that most Indian Artifact collectors know very little about is what one actually does in order to find axes. Luckily, an article has been written by Mr. Harold E Carr, of Greenfield Iowa, which goes into such detail. He is one of the top axe-finders in the country, having picked up over 122 axes and celts in the last 20 years."

Three pages of interesting detail is then given. Too much to give here but can be summarized in one statement which I have taken to heart since 1997 and have been proven time and time again. The best place to find an axe is on the site in places where axes gave previously been found.