Brown Jasper-Wedge?

[MAMucker]

This ‘tool’ is made of a fine brown lithic (I’m guessing it’s Jasper). I picked it up a few weeks ago, and just got around to taking a good close look at it. It’s another Pebble Industry artifact found on the coastline of MA.

You can see the rind (or cortex) left on wide end

In my opinion, it’s design reveals a likely purpose other than the “go to” scraper identification. It seems to be a Wedge.

 

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[uniface]

Interesting (& pretty) item.

Had it been used as a piece esquille (splitting wedge) on something hard (like bone or antler), you would expect to see edge crushing/stepping. That doesn't seem to be the case here.

Pretty evidently a tool, but tough to imagine a use for congruent with its form.

FWIW

 

[MAMucker]

Might I suggest a bow maker’s tool. A wedge tool driven into the end of a bough with a mallet to split and rough-out a bow limb. Any thoughts?

 

[Quartzite Keith]

Don't know if it's the same thing, but 283 similar tools were found at the Williamson site here in Virginia. Pick it up at "Chisel Wedges" on p. 45. For reference, the largest shown (bottom right) in the not too good picture is 60 mm by 44 mm.

 

[MAMucker]

Thanks Quartzite Kieth.
There’s Uniface’s ‘Esquille’ reference again. I have to say it has a true wedge shape. And though it’s small, the material is very hard and it’s a very sturdy structure.
I like the chisel/wedge idea. There is some hammering marks on the flat-wide end. It seems that a section of the cortex chipped away leaving a scalped stripe.

I’ve isolated the pictures that show that detail here.

 

[uniface]

With an apology for the out-of-focus picture:

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/north-american-indian-artifacts/136893-piece-esquilles.html?

Edge splintering (12:00 & 6:00, first picture) is distinct in hand.

 

[jamus peek]

Would this be considered a wedge? It's also Jasper and looks worked.

 

[MAMucker]

The similarities are quite interesting. Do you know the context in which it was found?

The detail (edge splintering) that Uniface called out is an important feature for targeting identification commonalities from historical examples. But, those examples seem quite thin and maybe more shim-like in comparison.

And, I say targeting because (at this time) it’s difficult if not impossible to confirm a precise use for many of these artifacts.

I wanted to post this artifact because of its uniqueness. It has a stubby yet wide wedge-like shape. In my opinion there are just too many artifacts thrown onto the scraper designation pile.

I say it is a Wedge.

I’d call yours a wedge too. But, I would like to see the flat end (opposite the bit-end). BTW: nice material!

 

[jamus peek]

The similarities are quite interesting. Do you know the context in which it was found?

The detail (edge splintering) that Uniface called out is an important feature for targeting identification commonalities from historical examples. But, those examples seem quite thin and maybe more shim-like in comparison.

And, I say targeting because (at this time) it’s difficult if not impossible to confirm a precise use for many of these artifacts.

I wanted to post this artifact because of its uniqueness. It has a stubby yet wide wedge-like shape. In my opinion there are just too many artifacts thrown onto the scraper designation pile.

I say it is a Wedge.

I’d call yours a wedge too. But, I would like to see the flat end (opposite the bit-end). BTW: nice material!

Unfortunately no context other then a whole lot of Flint laying around. All my finds are creek finds.

Here's another flaked tool looks like a knife that was found close by.

I'll post a pic of the bottom when I get a chance.it is flat. I'm not versed in the flaked tool terminology so I have a lot to learn.

Possibly poor observation but does this piece have a worked flute?

I really admire the intelligence of a lot of posters here. Especially on this thread including yourself. Thanks for the reply.

 

[uniface]

No flute. It was being broken into usable flakes but the material wasn't uniform enough in consistency so they detached irregularly. The edges you show do look like deliberate modification, but for cutting (knife use).

FWIW