Berlin NH jasper cave

[Fred250]

My mom found this point on an island in Casco Bay Me. maybe 20 years ago while hunting beach glass and shells. She immediately recognized it as rhyolite from the Berlin jasper cave, her hometown. Given the distance away I always said “sure it is” but didn’t really believe. Knowing slightly more now it seems plausible, as the Anderscoggin river runs through Berlin and empties into Casco Bay. Can anyone tell if she was right and ID the point for her. Thanks, trying for a post that doesn’t get moved.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Minelab PRO-FIND 35 Waterproof Pinpointer Metal Detector for Experts with Tone ID & Adjustable Sensitivity - Grab it through Amazon!

[Indian Steve]

It looks very worn like it might have been in a creek or river. Nice Piece!

 

[old digger]

Looks like an arrowhead that has been exposed to the elements for quite some time. A keeper.

 

[arrow86]

Looks like rhyolite to me just extremely worn from being in water for a long time as far as where it came from not sure maybe somebody closer to you will chime in.

 

[Charl]

What your mother is referring to is Mt. Jasper/Israel River/Jefferson Rhyolite. It goes by all 3 names, in other words. I may have some in my collection, but I am not certain, and would not be proficient in recognizing it, as a result.

In his expanded New England typology, lithic section, Jeff Boudreau states: "This lithic outcrops in northern NH. It is distinguished by its brownish orange to tan, grey, and pale green patina. It often displays banding with some varieties being spherulitic. This was an important regional Paleoindian lithic." Most of the examples Jeff shows on that page are tan in tone, some displaying darker banding. It's one of the flow banded rhyolites, in other words. The fluted point hunters sourced this regional lithic.

Nice point. No surprise that it was found far from its source, if that's the case. The stuff got around.

 

[Fred250]

Have actually hiked up to the cave and most of the remnants laying around are tan in color. My mom says points on display in the local library are the same color as the one she found though.