Questionable Artifacts for Sale

[Hutch in PA]

Somebody recently posted a question about 'where to buy artifacts'. Although this topic has been covered on this site many times, I think it's very important to chime in with 'buyer beware'...especially for the newbies who may turn to a site like eBay. I haven't bought anything for several years, but I still check the site a few times a week. It is amazing what shows up there.

This week, someone posted a pic of what I believe to be a Clovis, which was supposedly found in NW PA. I'm familiar with the area stated in the ad, and there indeed have been about a dozen recorded finds. I was intrigued and contacted the seller for more details. Same old story...selling for a friend who got from a friend who was the actual finder. She said there are almost 1,000 in the collection. I asked her to send me some other representative pics. All are reportedly western PA. I put a few samples below. The fluted point is currently selling for over $500! By itself (and over the web), this may seem like a legit artifact. But in the context of the others--and their supposed location--I can only conclude someone was a talented napper. BTW, since the items are located only 45 minutes from me, they've told me I'm welcome to come see first hand. Should be interesting.

Thoughts?

 

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[Charl]

I would run, not walk, away from those pieces

 

[Get-the-point]

I would run away from the supposed clovis. That is not authentic. They are all not authentic. That material is not from around here in PA. It is also where I live to. So I know what type of Lithics used in our area. The clovis looks to be made of rootbeer flint and that flint is found in the Texas region. The others are from there as well. The large blades do not run from them. They are reproductions but they are Grey Ghosts. They are rising in value. See what he wants and tell him what they are and that they are reproductions and you will probably get the ghost for cheap. That clovis looks to have flaking like a dalton. Not standard Clovis flaking with the reverse oblique flaking..................................GTP

 

[flintmel]

look like repro's to me!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Those are the most obvious fakes I have seen for a while. If someone has bid that Clovis up to $500 then it is either a shill bidder trying to run up the price or someone who has no clue what he/she is bidding on.

 

[Hutch in PA]

Well, I did my part. Before I posted this, I contacted the seller and strongly suggested she revise the ads to indicate modern production. She said she was going to pull them anyway because an individual buyer wanted the whole collection...and her 'proof' the clovis was real, he offered $2,000! Buyers beware...there's another slew of bad fakes out there.