Broken Blade, Backed Knife, or Both?

[Tesorodeoro]

Found this one in a pile of fresh dirt that a canine dug on private property in far Northern California. With the fresh moisture they seem to be digging everywhere.
Certainly “feels good” as a backed knife and it appears to have been resharpened in a way that suggests it was last used as held. The cortex sure provides a good grip. The edge is pretty steep and I suppose that means it may have been resharpened many times earlier in its life. What do you all think? I’m open to learning. I believe it’s made of agate. This material is sometimes found nearby in 1/8” to 3/8” thick veins in compressed mudstone and clay. Thus the cortex on both sides. I’m pretty excited to save this one from the dozer blade.

 

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[Tesorodeoro]

Isn’t it amazing that someone could lose or discard a knife and have it be found after maybe hundreds of centuries or maybe even a millennia later in perfect condition, ready to use the same as the day it was last held by human hands?

 

[Older The Better]

I can’t decide, could have definitely been used that way but it also looks broken, and looks like it was worked around the base which seems unnecessary if it was always intended to be a cutting edge on a hunk of material.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I can’t decide, could have definitely been used that way but it also looks broken, and looks like it was worked around the base which seems unnecessary if it was always intended to be a cutting edge on a hunk of material.

It has cortex on three sides. Either that or there was an inclusion. Likely started out as a slab of agate. These folks were apparently poor because they utilized every ounce of useful material they had. This is the largest piece of chalcedony I’ve found yet , even though it’s somewhat abundant only 10-20 miles away. Always interested to hear opinions because I’m learning.

 

[MAMucker]

Late to the show. But I agree with Backed Knife.
Nice material.

 

[Tdog]

Yes, I too say it's a backed knife.