STOP! - Arrowhead Collecting On The Web

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ACOTW Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Arrowhead Collecting On The Web TM Two Gunther Serrated Style Arrowheads Made Of Transparent Obsidian. How Can You Know Which One Is Ancient Or New? These two obsidian points are magnified about 7 times their actual size, so that we can look closely at a few details which can help us note their relative age and authenticity. Again, the first thing which we can observe is the surface of the stone from which each point is knapped. The transparent obsidian point on the left has a fresh surface in all visible locations. The edges and corners are sharp, crisp, clean and undamaged. The points of the serrations remain pointed in appearance, even at this magnification. A couple of hinge flakes remain at the end of the pressure flake scars. These are transparent, thin pieces hanging on still; they appear almost white in contrast to the clear or streaked material around them. The corner at the end of the base tang is still very squared away and freshly angled, with no weathering. This point is made from “Midnight Lace” obsidian from Glass Buttes in eastern Oregon. It was made by the author in early 2009 as part of a study on the knapping of the Gunther style of arrowheads. You can obtain an electronic pdf file copy of the 20-page write up about this Gunther style arrowheads study from the author’s Flint Knapping web site: www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net Click the link for “AA&A Review” The surface of the gray, translucent obsidian arrowhead on the right reflects light, but it has a duller finish. This is the effect of the “hydration rind” formation which occurs on the outer surface of obsidian, from exposure to water over a long period of time. The intersecting edges along the sides of the flake scars, where the pressure flaking removals overlap, have a rounder, not so sharp look. The points of the serrations all look rounded at this enlargement, rather than sharp like on the other point. Plus, the corners of the base tang appear more rounded and smooth; this could be due to the design, though it can also be due to exposure and corrosion, similar to the rounding and smoothing effect visible on the serrations. This Gunther point was found in the 1950’s in Shasta County of northern California, by Frank Estes, and is no. RR 303 from the Robert Roy collection. I purchased it from Michael Knighton at Renegade Artifacts in 2009. His eBay ID is “1muduck2”. His eBay store is also called Renegade Artifacts. Mike’s new website is named: www.ArtifactsAmerica.net Volume I, Number 7 12 November 2009
ACOTW Arrowhead Collecting On The Web TM These are three modern-made reproduction arrowheads which are excellent examples of the skill and quality of today’s flintknappers. These were made by Matt Strehle, who lives in Pennsylvania. You can see more of his work at www.modernstoneworks.com Arrowhead Collecting On The Web or occasionally on eBay under the ID: “flylaps”. I am pleased to show some of his work as a good example of skill and craftsmanship. His artwork is exceptional. And he always sells his stylized arrowhead and dart points clearly identified as modern work. A Word To The Wise, When You Consider Buying Artifacts On The Internet Or In Person From An Individual Or A Company. Do not let the excitement of a new find distract you from careful consideration of the authenticity and the history of the point or tool you are contemplating. If a story sounds too good to be true, likely it is too good to be true. Develop a relationship with the seller so that you can decide the level of trust you can place on his or her word. Ask for as full an account of the history of the point as may be available. This is called the “provenance” of the point. It should include the name of the finder, the place, the date, and a description of the circumstances or special conditions under which the discovery was made. Also you should ask for a full list of previous owners of the point or tool, if you are not obtaining it from the original finder. Whenever possible, you should inquire about and even require a certificate of authenticity from a respected source. Almost any collector to whom you speak will have a story of how he bought a point from someone whom he thought was trustworthy, only to find out later that the point was either unknowingly or deliberately sold as authentic, 2-5/8” x 3/4” when in reality was a modern copy or reproduction point. In addition, when you are looking at possible “Paleo- Indian” artifacts, it would be well to keep in mind that in most parts of the country, they are very rare. I know lifelong students of archaeology who have worked all over the country on projects covering the many eras of human occupation on this continent who have only ever found one or two authentic Paleo-Indian relics such as a Clovis spear point or a Folsom dart point. When these points are discovered in scientific excavations they are celebrated and then carefully cataloged for future study and scientific reference. If they are found on private land, these points and tools are most often preserved and put away, well out of the public eye. And sometimes, if a collector has a good Paleo- Indian point which has been certified and authenticated, he might be tempted to sell it, but this would be quite unusual. No artifact dealer would ever want to sell a high quality Folsom, Clovis or Cumberland point, for example, without suggesting a substantial price. I say this to caution you and to encourage you to carefully consider claims of age, culture and authenticity which you will hear from collectors and/or sellers of possibly ancient artifacts. Volume I, Number 7 13 November 2009
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