"Ground Edge".... Completely or Slightly?

OntarioArch

Sr. Member
Nov 26, 2017
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1,134
Cayuga County NY
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
(warning: I hope I am using the proper terminology - if not, please correct me!)

I have looked at a bunch of Clovis online photos to see what a 'ground edge' looks like: the flaking pattern has been ground down until smooth. And obviously, I have many 'flaked edges' / non-ground edges to see in my own collection.....but what would be most helpful is to see an edge that has been "lightly ground." Can you sometimes still see a little smoothed, reduced, inconspicuous flaking where the artisan perhaps did not completely grind away the flake pattern?

Here are some pics of the piece I am questioning: And do I understand correctly that grinding is indicative of Paleo or Early Archaic time period? Exclusively?

Thanks again!
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The stem on your point shown is ground much like these Silver Lake points . Some are just dulled to take the sharp edge off its a paleo trait for sure and I find it on archaic points also .
 

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Rub your finger on the base, then rub your finger along the blade. You should feel the difference if it is ground. Paleo and early archaic usually ground, later periods, not so much. Gary
 

That is right. It can be seen,especially with a scope, but it's mostly a feel-thing. Light or heavy.
 

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