What is the largest point that you have seen? The largest point that I have ever seen that was unquestionably 100% authentic is a 9 inch Dalton and 8 3/4 inch Adena. I am just curious as to what are some of the larger authentic examples that y’all have run across from shows to personal finds or on the internet. All replies are welcome
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The following extracts are from “The Obsidian Blades of California” by Horatio N Rust, published in 1905:
During a canoe voyage on the Klamath and Trinity rivers in the northern part of California, in 1898, the author had occasion to visit many Indian villages and took the opportunity to make special inquiry for obsidian spears, knives, or swords, as they are commonly called. Ten in all were seen and five procured. They measure from seven to fifteen inches in length and from two to four inches in width, and are beautifully chipped to the edge from end to end. In color the obsidian is black, red, or gray. In almost every instance the owners were reluctant to show these blades. All were carefully wrapped in redwood bark and carefully hidden away, sometimes under the floor of the lodge, oftener outside beyond the knowledge of any one except the owner. In one instance the owner could not be induced to get his blade until night-fall, in order that no one should learn of its hiding place.
He provides illustrations (not to the same scale) of two specimens in the Museum of the Department of Anthropology, measuring 10 inches (no.1) and 13 inches (no.2) in red and black obsidian respectively.
He goes on to say:
An idea of the value of these blades among the Indians, and this value is not likely to have increased in the last fifty years, may be obtained from the fact that they are generally reckoned as worth a dollar per inch of length. This is, however only a rough approximation. Blades less than 6 or 8 inches long would be held at a lower ratio. Beginning with blades from 12 to 15 inches in length to those still larger the ratio rises. A good blade 20 inches long would rarely be parted with by its owner for fifty dollars, while one 30 inches in length is practically invaluable.
Although he didn’t manage to acquire any (and perhaps wasn’t even able to persuade anyone to show him) it does suggest he believed that 20 and 30 inch examples did exist.
I keep six honest serving-men (they taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who.
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The longest flaked artifacts I have seen are from Belize. There is a biface in a museum there that is about 8 inches thick that is 48 inches long. It wasn't hafted or carried much, just made and buried. The key factor is raw material availability. I can't find a picture of that one, but here is a slightly smaller one in the link.
I have some from Mexico that are almost 15 inches, but you could get probably get obsidian blocks much larger than that.
I probably have 200+ obsidian blades from Guatemala & Mexico that are 6"+, it's kind of average size.
Hong Kong, but from Indiana/Florida
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Couldn't figure out how to add pictures and the link.
Here is a bad picture of my biggest broken one. Broken in three places, different patina one each face. Like a lot of these, they went for size or quality, but rarely both.
2 PhotosHong Kong, but from Indiana/Florida
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