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Of course, I want to post lithic projectile points b/c after all, site called “Arrowheads”. Many times my quartz/quartzite “finds” been prepped, posed, photographed. But pics always look like pointy JARS. If my finds’ harshest non-collecting critics see what appears to be chipping/flaking/knapping , I ask them compare to my photos. Fairly unanimous my pics do not show what can be seen up-close-and-personal. Been suggested dirty ‘em up, use better camera, special lighting. One day.....
Meanwhile, found TomClark’s shell posts inspiring. (Fortunately or not, have almost as many shells as do rocks.) He patiently, generously tolerated and answered all my Qs, After I read all AH information, read, read, read more sources (yall know I love to share documentary research findings, so expect didactic/pedantic reference summary eventually!). Then went thru shells, picked several thot might be artifactual, sent pics to TomClark, who confirmed. And, when conservative, yet-always-kind, WillJo commented background shells in Dog photo looked like artifacts, decided would post.
All found Edisto Island, SC. Shelling big draw for State Park, and collecting allowed except forbidden midden, Spanish Mount, and incredible shell rings.
All but one posted are of thick-shelled“Busycons”. If lip opens to left, called Lightening Whelk, if opens to right, called Knobbed Whelk (what!?🤷🏻♀️). Those, conch, and clam shells were favored as tools, altho the People used thick mussel and oyster shells, and several other shells as well. All collectively called “hammers”, and TomClark’s yellow marks emphasize the state of their knobs (“nodules”), and basal ends. They may have been handheld, though the presence of notching high up on shell-lip’s indicative of possible hafting, especially if shell also has hole(s) . The People’s hammers were more often hafted than not.
In yellow, tools with different modifications (those w/o marks prob’ly tools, also, but too exhausted to tell use). The body whorl is mostly removed, exposing the columella. (But the notches on the remaining body whirl are distinctive——-great notches!!). All are 5-6” except for B and C which 3-4”
.
A, B and C were used as hammers, as noted by nodules and basal tip.
A.
B, with hole, is a conch, not a whelk (conchs herbivores, whelks omnivores/cannibals!). Strombidae not as strong as Busycon. B was hafted by inserting a handle thru the hole, past the columella, thru notch in lip (barest of notching here), and securing with thongs. The length of the handle indicated whether used sitting or standing.
B. C.
I think D, E, F were used as picks, because tips still intact, as are nodules except for those effected by removal of body whorl. Basal columella would’ve been ground to a cutting edge.
D. E. F.
.
THANK YALL FOR LOOKING! Got lots more for later....
Meanwhile, found TomClark’s shell posts inspiring. (Fortunately or not, have almost as many shells as do rocks.) He patiently, generously tolerated and answered all my Qs, After I read all AH information, read, read, read more sources (yall know I love to share documentary research findings, so expect didactic/pedantic reference summary eventually!). Then went thru shells, picked several thot might be artifactual, sent pics to TomClark, who confirmed. And, when conservative, yet-always-kind, WillJo commented background shells in Dog photo looked like artifacts, decided would post.
All found Edisto Island, SC. Shelling big draw for State Park, and collecting allowed except forbidden midden, Spanish Mount, and incredible shell rings.
All but one posted are of thick-shelled“Busycons”. If lip opens to left, called Lightening Whelk, if opens to right, called Knobbed Whelk (what!?🤷🏻♀️). Those, conch, and clam shells were favored as tools, altho the People used thick mussel and oyster shells, and several other shells as well. All collectively called “hammers”, and TomClark’s yellow marks emphasize the state of their knobs (“nodules”), and basal ends. They may have been handheld, though the presence of notching high up on shell-lip’s indicative of possible hafting, especially if shell also has hole(s) . The People’s hammers were more often hafted than not.
In yellow, tools with different modifications (those w/o marks prob’ly tools, also, but too exhausted to tell use). The body whorl is mostly removed, exposing the columella. (But the notches on the remaining body whirl are distinctive——-great notches!!). All are 5-6” except for B and C which 3-4”
.
A, B and C were used as hammers, as noted by nodules and basal tip.
A.
B, with hole, is a conch, not a whelk (conchs herbivores, whelks omnivores/cannibals!). Strombidae not as strong as Busycon. B was hafted by inserting a handle thru the hole, past the columella, thru notch in lip (barest of notching here), and securing with thongs. The length of the handle indicated whether used sitting or standing.
B. C.
I think D, E, F were used as picks, because tips still intact, as are nodules except for those effected by removal of body whorl. Basal columella would’ve been ground to a cutting edge.
D. E. F.
.
THANK YALL FOR LOOKING! Got lots more for later....
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