Tallahatta Quartzite Points

[antmike915]

The only 2 I ever found (so far), both found in Alabama. The first is 1 1/2 by 1 1/8 and the second is 2 3/4 by 1 3/8. I've seen alot of quartz and quartzite points posted on here lately and this is a material not shown that often. I've heard that it's only in parts of Alabama and Mississippi.

 

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[joshuaream]

Neat material. I like the spots/snow flakes that it has.

Rare material, except for where it's common. I saw a collection once from near one of the outcrops in Southern Alabama and it was the only material they used.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I tried to knap some of that once. It's miserable. Gary

 

[MAMucker]

I saw a series of YouTube videos, of a very loud and energetic crew of artifact hunting buddies expressing jubilation every time one of them discovered or dug up a projectile point.

They yelled and whooped and hollered with tell tail southern drawls, “It’s Tallahatta! It’s Tallahatta!

 

[Relicgrubber]

Love me some TQ...
Santa Fe and Kirk out of my TQ frame.

 

[MAMucker]

Wow! That can be a very fine lithic indeed

 

[antmike915]

Love me some TQ...
Santa Fe and Kirk out of my TQ frame.

Those are awesome Relicgrubber.

 

[uniface]

I tried to knap some of that once. It's miserable.

I forget the name of the first heavyweight academic replicator whose published work is still pretty much the basis of subsequent replication studies, but I do recall that he knapped a lot of quartzite -- but only after soaking it for a week and using hardwood billets (osage orange, et al.).

Another guy here remarked on how much better chert knaps after soaking (days -- not minutes) recently in another thread.

I advocated for that on other boards many years ago, & got laughed to scorn by knowitalls who were too cool to even try it.

 

[Tdog]

I only have 2 from south Alabama that were gifted to me--a Savannah River and an unknown type. The surface is abrasive like sand paper.

 

[antmike915]

I only have 2 from south Alabama that were gifted to me--a Savannah River and an unknown type. The surface is abrasive like sand paper.

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I agree

 

[uniface]

the first heavyweight academic replicator whose published work is still pretty much the basis of subsequent replication studies

Don Crabtree, I think.

 

[Tdog]

Not that this is totally relevant but talking about soaking... that reminds me of some folks from Mississippi on Arrowheadforums that said TQ will "Rot" in the ground/creeks over time. Those guys used shovels with 12-16, 1" holes bored/cut in them to dig up the artifacts in the creeks they hunted. They had very good success in doing it that way. Back on topic, TQ will deteriorate rapidly in some situations according to their comments.

 

[uniface]

It makes too much intuitive sense to ignore, on my end.

I recall, when a child, diving underwater at the lake in summertime and being amazed that I could hear motor boats a mile away clearly in the bass & midrange of the sonic spectrum. Out of the water they were only treble noises, heard faintly. But underwater they were vivid, full-spectrum and up close.

Same thing with taking a bath. Head underwater I could hear conversations in the livingroom clearly that weren't even audible otherwise.

Sonar works !

With knapping, it's the long-wave shock you want to produce -- lasting long enough to reach the end, double back, and meet in the middle. Not the high pitch of shatter. So why not help it?

I probably shouldn't mention it here, but referencing childhood again, people have found that a spanking while wearing wet shorts/bathing suit hurts a lot more than the same one would dry. Water amplifies and transmits vibrations wonderfully.