uniface something?

[naturegirl]

Hi all, what is this? just a rock? the edges sure looked worked, but I haven't seen anything like that rounded end on this forum, so I'm asking, is this just a chunk they knocked off? The side with the ridge is really rough, I guess it's flint, because of the uniface, but it's dull and seems more porous. Thanks for looking,

naturegirl

 

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[uniface]

Uniface at your service, Ma'am

Your item is definitely a "something." Specifically, a prismatic removal from either a prepared core, or a block in the process of becoming one.

The heavily patinated side faced downward over the years.

I suspect this was, functionally, a piece esquilles (splitting wedge) from the chips out of the edges. When they're erratic like that, and extending into both faces, you've got evidence of a wedge rather than re-touching.

 

[naturegirl]

Thanks uniface. Ummm....huh? I think I get the part a prismatic removal. that's referring to the ridged side? It was removed from the core in this manner? That caused this shape? You lost me on the erratic part. If this was a splitting wedge(how cool is that!?) is the rounded end from being hit with a stone? And what would it have split? Bone? Thanks again,

naturegirl

 

[pickaway]

To me looks like a piece of flint thats been in a river and tumbled...

 

[naturegirl]

thanks pik, It could be that, nature create her own work too. It just has so much symmetry to it. Any more thoughts?

ng

 

[uniface]

The patinazation on this rules out it having come out of a river. Buried with the ridged side up. Thus the bottom patinated (as would be expected) more heavily.

Prismatic Blade : shaped like a prism in cross section. Often removed from a core shaped something like a flat-topped ice cream cone ; blades like this were knapped from the flat top, with the resulting blades coming off the sides.

Erratic : chipping isn't side-by-side, but at random. And (notice) out of both the top and bottom sides in the same spots.

The edges aren't as heavily battered as you'd expect from such a tool that had been in use for a while, but the diagnostic characteristics are pretty clear, and difficult to plausibly attribute to some other cause.

For what it's worth (assuming anything).

 

[creek astronaut]

The patinazation on this rules out it having come out of a river. Buried with the ridged side up. Thus the bottom patinated (as would be expected) more heavily.

Prismatic Blade : shaped like a prism in cross section. Often removed from a core shaped something like a flat-topped ice cream cone ; blades like this were knapped from the flat top, with the resulting blades coming off the sides.

Erratic : chipping isn't side-by-side, but at random. And (notice) out of both the top and bottom sides in the same spots.

The edges aren't as heavily battered as you'd expect from such a tool that had been in use for a while, but the diagnostic characteristics are pretty clear, and difficult to plausibly attribute to some other cause.

For what it's worth (assuming anything).

i have to disagree with you uniface,artifacts found in a river or stream may spend most of their time in the dirt before they are actually found in the water,artifacts found in rivers and streams do patinize.I understand that you may be refereing to this particular artifacts patinzation,it is extreme.I agree with your assumption on this tool but I wouldnt rule out piks river tumbled theory.hey nature girl did you find this in a river or creek?in the water or on a gravel/sand bar?

 

[uniface]

Well sure, Greg. But patinazation from immersion in water would be uniform all over it.

I'm trying to remember stuff that's come out of rivers (Florida as a prime example) that indicates otherwise without much success. Even with with the tannin removed, both faces are uniform in color/texture/patina. Same story with a core I just got from out of a creek in Mo.

Of course, it's more than likely that you've seen a lot of stuff I haven't . . . (?)

 

[SoIll]

we call em flakes around here.

 

[uniface]

Cool.

Heck, call 'em "Aunt Edith" if you want to

 

[creek astronaut]

Cool.

Heck, call 'em "Aunt Edith" if you want to

lmao!I used to love that show!