Large Clovis Point Please Help!!

[DFrank73]

Does this point look promising to have authenticated or is it a modern reproduction

 

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[Older The Better]

I’m not a buyer and seller but the size and condition and how clean it is are red flags. There’s always a chance you could find a perfect authentic one for sale but I’d guess the price would warrant investigating before buying in that case… others that know better might straighten me out but that’s my two cents

 

[newnan man]

A lot of red flags on that one. Too perfect, too clean. IMO.

 

[DFrank73]

A lot of red flags on that one. Too perfect, too clean. IMO.

A lot of red flags on that one. Too perfect, too clean. IMO.

If it is a non pourus material wouldn't be clean it's like glass

 

[GirlWithWolf]

I’m pretty sure that’s a modern reproduction. But usually those are smaller arrowheads and I don’t remember seeing a reproduction this big before, maybe others have?

 

[DFrank73]

I’m pretty sure that’s a modern reproduction. But usually those are smaller arrowheads and I don’t remember seeing a reproduction this big before, maybe others have?

It 6-1/2" length 1-1/2"width it made of real glassy material and semi transparent

 

[DFrank73]

It 6-1/2" length 1-1/2"width it made of real glassy material and semi transparent

 

[newnan man]

If it is a non pourus material wouldn't be clean it's like glass

It's called "patina." Old Clovis points should be covered in it. That one looks freshly knapped. You can send it off to a reputable authenticator and get their opinion.

 

[tamrock]

If it is a non pourus material wouldn't be clean it's like glass

Not necessarily. Glass that's been buried or setting out open in the out doors for years and years will have thin layers of mineral deposits on it.

 

[DFrank73]

I also read that if it buried in a non oxidizing soil it wouldn't have a patina

 

[DFrank73]

It's called "patina." Old Clovis points should be covered in it. That one looks freshly knapped. You can send it off to a reputable authenticator and get their opinion.

Wonder why the famous rutz Clovis is not covered in patina

 

[dognose]

The color looks like a high-grade Paoli chert AKA Carter Cave, with the caramel color, the brown spot are inclusions in the mineral, not mineralization it looks like to me.

Prehistoric Chert Types of the Midwest by Tony DeRegnaucourt and Jeff Georgiady states: Paleo Indian artifacts f Paoli are relatively common in the tristate area of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Early Archaic people also mad intensive use of this flint.

I agree with others. I would consider it a reproduction until others inspect the item in person.
Also, Paoli mimics some Ohio Flint Ridge and some St. Louis Green pieces. Soe pieces can also look like St. Geneviev and Harrison County flints.



If possible, attend a CSASI show and have some others give an opinion after in person inspection.

March 1st there is a Georgia society of the Central States Archaeological Societies.
Location : Roswell St Baptist Church, 774 Roswell St, Marietta

https://csasi.org/calendar_of_events_current.htm

 

[dognose]

If it is a non pourus material wouldn't be clean it's like glass

Flint, like glass, appears to be solid, but microscopically there are pores. Its these pores that minerals leach into and eventually forms mineralization nodules and patina.

In my collection I have two relics made of Carter Cave flint. A clovis and a button base dove. High grade material like carter cave, Flint Ridge and Harrison County are very glossy and slick. These build up mineralization and patina at a unique slower rate compared to other flints like Laurel Chert - IMO. I have found Harrison County relics virtually next to each other, one will be covered in mineralization and patinaed a chocolate brown while the other has virtually no mineralization and has the dark blue black like it was knapped within the last few years. Strange.

This clovis was found along Fall Creek in Madison County Indiana.
The button base dove was found in salt creek in Van Wert Ohio. This MAY be patinaed honey colored Flintridge

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

A lot of red flags, and do not see any patina... You say it was at an auction, what was the price it sold at?

Looks a lot more like a reproduction than an authentic relic....

 

[DFrank73]

Another pic

 

[DFrank73]

A lot of red flags, and do not see any patina... You say it was at an auction, what was the price it sold at?

Looks a lot more like a reproduction than an authentic relic....

It wasn't an auction it was at an estate sale in a box of megalodon teeth it was wrapped in an old deteriorating newspaper from the 1958

 

[newnan man]

Hey, you seem to want it to be authentic. We all understand that. Making a call from a pic is very difficult. Clovis points are the most faked points made, so forgive our skeptical attitudes please. Factoring in its size and perfection causes experienced collectors to have serious doubts. Send it to Jim Bennett. He will tell you exactly what you have. If it's legit we all would love to know.

 

[DFrank73]

Thank you Newnan man

 

[ToddsPoint]

Perfect edge outline, no patina on that Flint River chert. It’s also been heated which paleo Indians never ever did. For sure modern but a real nice job.👌

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Sorry that I said auction instead of estate sale. What did the estate have it marked at (not asking what you paid, only what they were asking)

I wish you the best but don't get your hopes up until it is authenticated by a reputable authenticator. As stated it has a lot of red flags, but that doesn't mean it's not authentic, only that there are a lot of red flags to an experienced collector or buyer.