Are you sure that's asphaltum?? The patina is so thick on that piece I can't see how "tar" would have remained......!?! Coral takes up a dark, often black patina in saltwater.......
I'm from florida and see an awful lot of coral.. and you?? I have numerous pieces of fossil and I agatized coral none of which are black.. can you show me some examples of yours? here is a nother 1 of mine
I agree with Tom, the tar thing is a stretch, but who knows? Tom has probably as much or more Florida experience than anyone in the state. His personal find collection is incredible.
sometimes I just can't believe you people.. I'm going to put enough photos here for you to get an entire eye full. I mean you know it was used don't you.. so are you telling me it is coincidently around the entire stem of these points. just the stain that happened to get there. okay guys.. whatever you say
that is side A and side B of those 2 points. if you still think its a stretch I have to say go bother someone else.
and I'm sure Tom's collection is just dandy but if he has no points with pitch or asphaltum on the stem then a portion of my collection is somewhat better than his.
I don't know why I didn't clear this up right away but that's not even a patina on that newnan base. that point was manufactured from raw coral which is agatizing from age in the center
It may have to do with the site you hunt. I'd forgotten, didn't you say "bog"?? That would preserve the asphaltum! I have hundreds of points from FL and I've never found one with asphaltum. So....your collection is better than mine! muhaha! I want a pony!!! (asphaltum)! I wanna dig a bog!@
These need ashpaltum! Actually it's probably not asphaltum but pine tar concoction.
Saltwater often makes coral and chert turn black, especially paleo pieces. So does river stain.
its all good. just got me a little aggravated since an archaeologist named Robert Carr who I work for occasionally already tested it positive. I wasn't really looking for anybody's opinion on that. sorry if I sounded crass. just seems like people put a lot of stock is there own opinions without having all the facts
I remember seeing a pic of a point found at the Windover site with pitch on it. It was from a peat bog so yeah they are around for sure. I saw a pic from Texas of a river found point with a real big gob on it. Ancient super glue!!