Basalt (?) tools

[tomf]

Thought I'd show some basalt tools from Napa, Ca. They aren't pretty and go largely unrecognized compared to obsidian and bigger hardstone utensils like mortars and pestles. They are much tougher and more durable than comparable tools of obsidian or chert which might explain why, in some cases, they were preferred. Another possibility is they were resorted to during periods when better materials weren't available. Their crudeness must reflect how tough and difficult they are to work.



This is a chopping tool. It's made specifically for a right-hander.

[tomf]

This scraper is made of an extra hard and heavy stone. Enormous force must have been required to chip it.








Another scraper .

[tomf]

Humped style scraper. Quite interesting.







That's all, folks.

[Missouri Breaks]

Like that edge work. Those all seem to be without cortex, that dense gray basalt they must’ve worked a bit to get to. It’s cool to see the cross over in shapes between the obsidian and basalt pieces.

[redrocks]

Cool stuff tom

[south fork]

I have a lot of Basalt projectile points and only a few tools all personal finds El Dorado County N California