Knife? Spear? What is it? (besides beautiful!)

[Iowa Beach House]

I posted this on a different thread, (my first time on this site) and it was suggested that I post it here, so I am taking that advice.

This is a surface find (see in situ photo) on private property near Caspar, Wyoming; I think that the material is some kind of quartzite, but I am open to hearing your thoughts. My real question is what is it? A knife? A spear? something else?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and expertise! Thank you ahead of time

 

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[The Grim Reaper]

Large Knife or possibly a Thrusting Spear, but no matter what it is, it is definitely a smoker.

Great way to start out with a bang. Killer find.

Welcome!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Looks like a really nice knife, great find.

 

[smokeythecat]

I'd also say knife. It's a beauty for sure. I agree with quartzite, interesting how most of the hinge fractures are still in place and it still looks razor sharp. Great piece. Occasionally we get a nice piece like that here.

 

[joshuaream]

Casper might be 100 or so miles from the Spanish Diggings quarry area.

 

[old digger]

Re: It's a "James Allen'' type lanceolate point 9,500 - 8,500 BP. Nice Find!

 

[newnan man]

Welcome and what a beautiful artifact!

 

[catherine1]

Yep its a knife.........and a old one for sure. Super artifact save.

 

[quito]

I’d say josh nailed the material.

Really a a great find!!!

 

[sandchip]

Hellacious!

 

[Huzzah!]

Go buy yourself a frame. Awesome find!

 

[MAMucker]

Beautiful Quartzite Blade. It (somewhat) resembles our New England “Mystery” Wampanucket Blade.

 

[americanartifacts33]

Great find and great piece!

 

[Saguache]

Awesome Spanish Diggings Quartzite blade.

Send a picture to Projectile Point Identification Guide for their lithic material data page.

 

[GaRebel1861]

That's a day maker for sure!

 

[Tdog]

A very nice piece and material. I'm wondering whether that material is Hixton Quartzite?!?!?

Here's some examples...

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...kAhVxTd8KHbfQAbEQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1920&bih=937

 

[IAMZIM]

REALLY cool find!!!

 

[Saguache]

A very nice piece and material. I'm wondering whether that material is Hixton Quartzite?!?!?

Here's some examples...

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...kAhVxTd8KHbfQAbEQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1920&bih=937

I know there are a few different quartzite materials in North America and would bet they'd be hard to tell apart if setting next to each other. Id think that the "area found" would be the most logical factor for lithic source. Spanish Diggings site is > 10x10 sq miles....

https://www.google.com/search?q=spa...kAhUKSa0KHWlwBzMQsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1366&bih=625

https://wyoarchaeo.wyo.gov/index.ph...roject-a-day/70-september-15-spanish-diggings

 

[Iowa Beach House]

Hmmm - the material ID is a tricky one for me. It is not translucent, as some of the Hixton examples, but that quality is not consistent with the examples. The Spanish Quartzite seems a little bit smoother than my point, which is quite 'grainy'; Maybe not. There are variances in both that make it a yes and also a maybe not. I guess I will have to take it some place for an analysis. The Spanish Quartzite is a good fit, location wise. The land is about 15 miles east of Casper, WY. Thank you for all of the great input!

 

[Sidevalve45]

I live ten miles from Silver Mound where a lot of the Hixton silicified sandstone (sugar quartz) was mined. Most of the points I have found are made of this material and that spear point sure a lot like it.

A very nice piece and material. I'm wondering whether that material is Hixton Quartzite?!?!?

Here's some examples...

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...kAhVxTd8KHbfQAbEQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1920&bih=937