Microliths

[Tnmountains]

Every six weeks or so I am lucky to have lunch with some very knowledgeable collectors. Each time we meet everyone brings a little something to show and share before returning back to work. At our last gathering one of the guys brought in a pretty rare item for us to see. They are called "Microliths".Micro meaning small, lithe meaning flint technology or lithnic technology. Overstreet broadly classifies these as Addison Micro Drills.Named after the late Steve Addison who collected in another area.
These Microliths are unique to the late woodland period but note in this culture in this particular area where found they were not used to drill shell beads as they were not present there. So they remain pretty much a mystery as to what they actually drilled. The remaining artifacts in the frame are not associated with the Microliths and were not discussed. I used a wheat penny for size comparison.
So keep your eyes peeled sometimes the smallest sliver could be something amazing.
Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

 

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[monsterrack]

I love the small stuff, it's JMO but you had to be a better tool maker to make the smaller drills and points. I would rather find 1 bird point too 2 large points. Thanks for posting

 

[jamey]

really nice collection there,thanks for sharing my friend.

 

[catherine1]

Nice collection. I love the pendant in the middle. I have found around a dozen of micros. Here is one of the best ones I found. Another theory is they were used as toggles. Or todays button. However some of mine have wear like a drill.

 

[Claim Jumper]

Way cool. Thanks.

 

[Tnmountains]

They are just another cool tool. I learned a lot and had wanted to see these for some time. I have some very small ones I thought... until I saw his against a penny. They almost fit inside the coin. Lot of skill in not breaking them I imagine. You can click the image and it should enlarge. I am trying a new little camera that has a microscope mode. Lots to learn.

 

[Americus]

Thanks for the look. Very interesting.

 

[tncreeker]

So these are worked on 4 (?) sides?

 

[Mark Todd]

Tnm..., those are very interesting. Never seen little ones like that before. Must not be very common in my area because we picked up everything that wasn't just a flake floating on top of the dirt and eyeballed it for percussion flaking. The prcsn. Flaking on those is very obvious even though they're so very tiny. That HEARTATTACK pendant isn't to shabby either! But pray tell, what is on the White cloth I'm on a 2" times 3" I-phone, so maybe I'm not seeing what I think I am. I snapped pic. of it on zoom in your post then went to pics. on my phone and zoomed again. It looked to me looked like the neck and head of a snake, or more likely perhaps, of an " eel " a food staple for at least the northeast coastal American Indians, and the pilgrims at Plymouth for that matter. Pictures sometimes just don't cut it when it comes to identification, so don't be afraid to embarrass me with facts. Anyway, thanks for posting , I always enjoy learning new stuff even if it's correcting.

 

[Tony in SC]

I also like the small stuff. They're harder to make and harder to find. Those are some nice pieces. Tony

I love the small stuff, it's JMO but you had to be a better tool maker to make the smaller drills and points. I would rather find 1 bird point too 2 large points. Thanks for posting

 

[NCPeaches]

Those are amazing!

 

[rock]

So these are worked on 4 (?) sides?

I was wondering the same thing

 

[unclemac]

...so looking at them i am thinking the are bits that fit pretty much the way a modern drill bit fits...inside the drill (stick i guess)...then i suppose you could wrap the outside of the end to hold it like a drill chuck.

 

[catherine1]

Some of the ones I found have three sides.

 

[painterx7]

Sweet thanks for sharing !!!

 

[Mark Todd]

Tnm..., you can ignore my question about the artifact on the piece of white cloth. I sent a picture of it to the computer monitor and can see that it's another hook and what I [emoji18]thought I [emoji2]was seeing are shadows.

 

[Mark Todd]

Catherine1 , the knapping on yours is amazing considering its size. Looks like it could be a projectile point, regardless that's some mighty fine detailing!

 

[Tnmountains]

Yes they are worked on 4 sides and a finished tool. This artifact as far as I know is only documented in the S.E. That does not mean they do not exist elsewhere. It is speculation on what held them in place wether it be wood,bone or antler. These pieces were not used. I imagine after use they were trashed and discarded. There is a paper published on these but it was 30 years ago. I will see if I can get more info. I think this technology was not wide spread or traveled far. But documented they are.
I would never have thought to look for such an item. I look at the little things I have but they are not like these.
Glad that you all enjoyed them. And I appreciate the gentleman giving me permission to share them here.
Maybe I can talk them into joining?
HH
TnMtns

 

[rock]

Just a guess but I would say Mississippian period on them. That period used some of the smallest stuff when it came to tools and points. I wonder how tall they were.

 

[Calgarychef]

So cool, the microlight I'm familiar with were hafted onto sticks or onto the sides of arrows. Imagine an arrow with one point and protruding from the sides all kinds of little razor sharp shards...devistating.

I wonder if yours could be gorget style fish hooks?