Worked obsidian

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stephan
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since March 2015
Posts: 4,559

Worked obsidian May 24, 2015 19:12:38 GMT -5 snowmom likes this

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Post by stephan on May 24, 2015 19:12:38 GMT -5

I found these in the same crate as the whale bone pieces, packed away in a cigar box (now that's old-school rock-hound-style). They were in with ordinary pieces of obsidian, where these have clearly been worked.

www.flickr.com/photos/36618387@N06/18033252226/
www.flickr.com/photos/36618387@N06/18059766475/
www.flickr.com/photos/36618387@N06/17873530269/
www.flickr.com/photos/36618387@N06/17439259843/

My question is -- are they the real thing, or something a hobbyist knapped? To help with the ID, I do have some info. They were dirty, with red mud (probably California clay) in every crevice. They are not terribly sharp-edged, meaning they could have been buried in the soil for a while, or maybe just briefly tumbled or flamed like the ones you get at tourist shops. Some of them are not terribly symmetrical, making me think hobbyist or training pieces. Some appear to be broken. Any guesses? Theories?

TIA

-Stephan

- Stephan

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"Conversation should be more like ping-pong, and less like archery.” — Alan Alda
"The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” — Neil DeGrasse Tyson

RickB gets rocks for Christmas Member since May 2010 Posts: 5,740	Worked obsidian May 25, 2015 13:37:48 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by RickB on May 25, 2015 13:37:48 GMT -5 To me they look like genuine artifacts. Did you find them then stick them away for years in the box? Rick B

jamesp Cave Dweller Member since October 2012 Posts: 36,600	Worked obsidian May 25, 2015 15:03:28 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jamesp on May 25, 2015 15:03:28 GMT -5 Agree with Rick, looks like the real thing.

Fossilman Cave Dweller Member since January 2009 Posts: 20,718	Worked obsidian May 25, 2015 18:24:30 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Fossilman on May 25, 2015 18:24:30 GMT -5 Totally artifacts!!!!!!!!!! SCORE!!!!!!!!!
	God,family and life.....

stephan
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since March 2015
Posts: 4,559

Worked obsidian May 25, 2015 20:30:28 GMT -5 snowmom likes this

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Post by stephan on May 25, 2015 20:30:28 GMT -5

May 25, 2015 13:37:48 GMT -5 RickB said:

To me they look like genuine artifacts. Did you find them then stick them away for years in the box? Rick B

Nope. I bought half of a collection, after an older rock-hound had passed. His kids were more interested in a few hundred bucks than poppy jasper (small pieces), whale bone, thundereggs, and an assortment of other stuff. I split the collection evenly with the shop steward of the Sacramento Mineral Society. I haven't been through all the crates yet, but there is an assortment of goodies and junk (aka sentimental value pieces).... The usual, I'm guessing. Thanks for lending your eye.

Last Edit: May 25, 2015 20:31:02 GMT -5 by stephan

stephan still telling self it's just a hobby Member since March 2015 Posts: 4,559	Worked obsidian May 25, 2015 20:31:46 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stephan on May 25, 2015 20:31:46 GMT -5 Thanks also, james and foss.
	- Stephan -------------------------------------------------- "Conversation should be more like ping-pong, and less like archery.” — Alan Alda "The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” — Neil DeGrasse Tyson

woodman driving up their electric bill If you cannot explain something in simple terms, you do not know enough about it. Member since December 2014 Posts: 2,710	Worked obsidian May 26, 2015 8:56:31 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by woodman on May 26, 2015 8:56:31 GMT -5 It would be interesting to have it tested to see where the obsidian came from.

stephan
still telling self it's just a hobby

Member since March 2015
Posts: 4,559

Worked obsidian May 27, 2015 0:05:35 GMT -5

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Post by stephan on May 27, 2015 0:05:35 GMT -5

May 26, 2015 8:56:31 GMT -5 woodman said:

It would be interesting to have it tested to see where the obsidian came from.

Indeed, it would be interesting, but the testing would have to be very cheap and non-destructive. On the other hand, from what I know, learning the origin of the obsidian would not necessarily tell us where the points were made. Evidently obsidian from places like Clear Lake was extensively traded.

stephan still telling self it's just a hobby Member since March 2015 Posts: 4,559	Worked obsidian Jul 16, 2015 17:06:18 GMT -5 Thunder69 and woodman like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by stephan on Jul 16, 2015 17:06:18 GMT -5 Okay, they have been ID'ed by a working archeaologist as being from Lake County, California (knapped from Clear lake obsidian).
	- Stephan -------------------------------------------------- "Conversation should be more like ping-pong, and less like archery.” — Alan Alda "The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.” — Neil DeGrasse Tyson

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