The Fakery of Artifactery - Scott Jones

[Lithophylic]

Really good article.  A couple of comments added.
First, this is not the first pulse of fakes onto the market.  In the late 1800s to early 1900s, there was a big interest in indians and indian artifacts both in eastern US and in Europe, resulting in a huge production of fake artifacts for sale.  The "grey ghosts" of Texas are a great example.  As you indicated, once a monetary value is placed on the items, they increase.
Second, like most arms races, when one site perfects a skill, the other finds a countermeasure.  There are knappers today that strive to fool the "experts".  It is a testiment to their achievement or skill in knapping.  The honest knappers now place an id on their work as a work of art.  The dishonest do their best to produce the perfect fake.
Authenticators and other "experts" range from self-annointed to proficient, but even the most experienced and knowledgable can be wrong sometimes.  To complicate things further, most "experts" are so in a very narrow field or even region.  You don't want to send a point from SC to Texas for review, try to use someone local who has direct experience with the materials, flaking styles (which can vary regionally due to local preferences and material characteristics), etc.  Also, someone proficient in flint pieces may not be the best for greenstone or pottery.
If you purchase points, and you use authenticators, remember they are human and when it comes down to it, are only giving you their opinion.  Hopefully, their decision is based on an educated opinion.  But they can be just as closed-minded or biased as any of us.  Point in case, I have sent personal finds in for information on typology to have them come back as not authentic or with modern alteration.  Now these came right out of the ground and the only alterations were a good bath in water with my old tooth brush, but they saw features that they USUALLY see associated with fakes and so made the judgement.  Should I be angry...no.  You have to remember they don't know you or the piece.  You have to take their decision as what it is -  an opinion.  And they will generally be conservative ones, because one mistake on their part can impact their business/reputation.
So, just don't rely on their word as absolute.  Educate yourself and build your experience base.  Even then when you buy a point, it is a crap shoot and you take your chances.

[billy mac]

gatherer here.it,s all about the rush i get when i,m rootin around i the dirt and WOW!! it,s a keeper. so my thoughts on the subject are those people that produce fakes are fakes themselves and can kiss my dirt diggin ass!!!  billy mac

[greywolf22]

Joe
I am for walking any time I can go out anf lay tracks down. Love those rocks.
Jack

[wmwallace]

Bottom line guys, is whether on-line or at a show or even individual purchase. Have them give you a guarantee. I normally ask for 30 days so I can get the piece looked at. Only a few folks I buy off of that I don't worry about. But nothing is fool proof as Jack pointed out, educate yourself is indeed the best weapon.-Bill
  P.S. Mark have bought some stuff off of Whalen's, also like Robin Mcabee as well. Neither has done me wrong yet

[Scorpion68]

Mark - I understand what you're saying.  Money counterfiters don't mess around with $1 -and- $5 cause it would cost them more than they'd make.  They prefer the $50 -and- $100.  So, like Jon says, stick with what you know and who you trust and you should be alright.  Points under $100 are probably a safe bet especially if you buy from someone you know and trust.  That makes sense but with the money as tight as it is now, I'll stick with finding my own and maybe finding that one-of-a-kind.    ---Chuck

[JoeM]

Great article, Jack. Thanks for posting it.
It puts things in context very well. Besides for the guys that are out
there purposely trying to deceive people, it is important for even the
amateur, just interested in learning the primitive technologies, to understand
how easy it is for their "experiments" to become part of, or mess with, the
archaeological record. It is a huge problem, even if unintentional.
How many people post pics on this site of artifacts that were in Grandpas
collection and have no idea where it came from? It's been in Grandpas' collection
so it MUST be real.
I remember the Woody Blackwell/Jeb Taylor controversy. There were letters back and
forth between the two published in different artifact magazines at the time.
I also remember that it used to be sacrilege for knappers to sign or mark their
modern made points. I am impressed by how many routinely mark their work today.
But the damage has been done and continues to be done. It's all part of
archaeology today.
There's just nothing better than going for a walk and finding your own.
Joe

[gregszybala]

Ditto, Chuck, couldn't have said it better as to how the situation applies to myself.

[turkeytail]

But what I am saying ghosts are big and expensive! Artifakers dont usually dink around with lower grade points. Im talking no brainers here!! Yes there are lower grade repos but most are obvious. ANYBODY can get took with a good fake but if you keep with reputable dealers you can get decent points that are authentic! I am very paranoid when it comes to authenticity but I feel if ya keep with a trusted dealer and points under $100 bucks and know what to look for your ok. Im SURE to hear responses to this one!!!!!!!!!!! :silly:

[Pullenrock]

Question is?....are all authenticators knowledgeable to these repros....I dont think so!!!!

[Pullenrock]

Chuck and Jack are both right...as a seller? and a buyer?.....hope it authenticates.As a Gatherer?....Dont need a authenticator.......jn

[Pullenrock]

But what Jack saying...even whalens probably does have for instance the ghost he brought up in other thread....jn

[turkeytail]

Chuck, There are alot of fakes out there but there are also around 12,000 years worth of authentic ones. Most of the repos are higher dollar stuff. There are some honest dealers out there too. One I trust the most is Bob Whalen on ebay. You can get a pretty nice authentic point for under $100 bucks. Just know who you are buying from!!!! Mark.

[Pullenrock]

Heres A few finds...Shucks i gotta re format.....Anyway we have the same love..for sure!

[Pullenrock]

Hey Chuck...we gatherers too man!....I bet I know of eight private sites....Mine!!!..Course there might be tresspassers...

[Scorpion68]

Hey Guys - I used to toy with the idea of buying some real good points for my collection.  So far all I have is what I have found and they aren't all in that good condition.  But after doing some research and reading Jack's articles I just ain't got the balls or the money to waste.  It's a real shame too cause these fakers are truly taking the enjoyment out of a tremendous hobby and historic learning process.  I'll stick with my hunting and researching what I find to learn about the history cause that's what got me caught up in it in the first place.  I really appreciate all you guys yaking back and forth but you'll probably never really know how helpful it is to us noviced collectors.  We do listen and learn. ---Chuck