What is it?

[IMAUDIGGER]

Northern California. Been sitting on the shelf of grandpas house for years.
Uniface blade? Looks to be finished but I'm not sure. Was it hafted or held in the hand?

 

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[smokeythecat]

That one's nice. I would think a hand held knife.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

How thick is it and will it sit flat on the Uniface side? It could be a Limace Tool.

 

[uniface]

It is a limace, IMHO. A textbook example of one.

FWIW

 

[Tdog]

I agree. Someone told me they typically look like a "Cigar Cut In Half Length Wise" if I'm not mistaken! I believe him.

 

[reuellis]

What is a Limace tool?

 

[Tdog]

A woodworking tool as I understand.

 

[MAMucker]

Nice workmanship too! First I’ve heard of Limace. ——Would have suggested “Hump-back Scraper”. Similar?

 

[Tdog]

Nice workmanship too! First I’ve heard of Limace. ——Would have suggested “Hump-back Scraper”. Similar?

I've read they were thought to be used as a gouge.

 

[arrow86]

Nice flaking looks razor sharp still I would ask him where he found it

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Nice flaking looks razor sharp still I would ask him where he found it

I'd love to, but unfortunately he's no longer available for questions.

Thanks for the information. Those people must have had strong calloused hands.
It's two hours away now, so I cannot take any other photos or analyze it.

It generally lays flat..might be a slight curve to it. It's probably 1/4" thick if I had to guess, maybe a little more.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

What's the difference between the limace tool and the humpies or hump back? Is that just regional terminology?

 

[Tdog]

I believe limace is a term used across the country and probably in other countries. I think "uniface" (Mr. Bill as I call him) could provide the best explanation. Hopefully, he'll chime in again. Google "limace lithic woodworking tool" and you'll get a lot of hits you can read and images.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

I looked up "uniface" on wiki and found enough info that I think I need to look at the piece more carefully next time I have the opportunity.
Nearest source for this obsidian was 100 miles away.

 

[uniface]

There are a lot of names for them. In New England, they're "flakeshavers;" in California, "humpies;" "limace" (used by French archaeologists) is literally "slug" (like garden slug), from their shape (generally pointed at one end when not modified for some other task). Those terms show up in mainstream archaeological publications, as does "humpbacked scraper," a term which seems to partly overlap with"hendrix scraper" in the deep south.

People speculate that they were woodworking tools, for what that's worth.

 

[Rookster]

Very nice piece.

 

[MAMucker]

Nice piece!

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

There are a lot of names for them. In New England, they're "flakeshavers;" in California, "humpies;" "limace" (used by French archaeologists) is literally "slug" (like garden slug), from their shape (generally pointed at one end when not modified for some other task). Those terms show up in mainstream archaeological publications, as does "humpbacked scraper," a term which seems to partly overlap with"hendrix scraper" in the deep south.

People speculate that they were woodworking tools, for what that's worth.

It appears the right side received more attention "reworked"? Like the upper right side of the tool was the business end rather than the tip. They all seem to have a slightly curved back. That's probably the biggest clue as to how they were used?

I'm sure that had something to do with how it was used and if the person was right or left handed.

 

[Tdog]

There are a lot of names for them. In New England, they're "flakeshavers;" in California, "humpies;" "limace" (used by French archaeologists) is literally "slug" (like garden slug), from their shape (generally pointed at one end when not modified for some other task). Those terms show up in mainstream archaeological publications, as does "humpbacked scraper," a term which seems to partly overlap with"hendrix scraper" in the deep south.

People speculate that they were woodworking tools, for what that's worth.

Thank you Mr. Bill. My tail is waggin'!

 

[Tdog]

southfork? So, what is it Dennis. I'd put money on your opinion. I believe you know.