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  • Napa field finds

    A week of wildfire and power outages is no fun at all.

    Sadly, we are getting used to it.

    Seventy mile an hour winds blew fire, felled trees and scared us well enough.

    Also scoured the vineyards clean.

    So, finally it's over and I took the chance- to feed the habit- and see what might have been uncovered.

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    Fire is close. Wet blankets can smother spot fires.

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    This fine old Blue Oak is over two hundred years old. Here when indians lived in this valley. Heartbreaking when they topple.

    Here are the finds.

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    These obsidian artifacts were found at several vineyard sites.

    Close ups to follow...




    California

  • #2
    This is either a really nice and unusual scraper or, maybe, just a flake.

    Pretty enough to show, I think.

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    California

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    • #3
      For me, this qualifies as an eccentric point.

      It's been reworked into an 'lightening strike' shape from a previous point.

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      California

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      • Sage hen jack
        Sage hen jack commented
        Editing a comment
        Not an Eccentric. But could be a Spoke Shave.

      • tomf
        tomf commented
        Editing a comment
        Maybe so.

        Still, I haven't seen one like it and it is kind of freaky.

        Also would make a nasty gash as it's remarkably sharp.

      • Sage hen jack
        Sage hen jack commented
        Editing a comment
        You’ll notice this tool also has a End that was flaked to a Drill/perforator Point. The very tip looks worn or broken off.

    • #4
      Check out the tip on this one.

      Might be a 'Plateau Pentagonal'.

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      California

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      • Sage hen jack
        Sage hen jack commented
        Editing a comment
        Not a plateau pentagonal. Those were quality Finely worked Artifacts in a Knife form with an expanded Square Base. I think this is another Archaic Graver/perforator

      • tomf
        tomf commented
        Editing a comment
        I based the ID on Overstreet and the fact that this piece has a five sided base which the type name might allude to.

        Most likely I got it wrong.

        I'm not sure I understand why a graver would be serrated this way, though.

      • Sage hen jack
        Sage hen jack commented
        Editing a comment
        My guess It’s what you would call a multi tool- perforator/engraver tip along with a cutting edge. They were very resourceful. Cool artifact

    • #5
      Nice obsidian artifacts out of my area of expertise, but nice
      South East Ga. Twin City

      Comment


      • #6
        This scraper is worked on both sides and incredibly sharp.

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        California

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        • #7
          This point is interesting.

          Base is very smooth and possibly ground.

          The large lateral flake across the mid-section marks where base meets blade.

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          California

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          • Sage hen jack
            Sage hen jack commented
            Editing a comment
            Cool one. Could be a worn complete knife form. If it’s an unfinished pre-form in the making-it’s sure taking on the shape of an Archaic Cascade or Lake Mohave

        • #8
          Little knife has lost some of it's base, but nice all the same.

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          California

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          • #9
            These two are made of a different type of obsidian.

            They were found together and may be made by same person.

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            California

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            • Sage hen jack
              Sage hen jack commented
              Editing a comment
              Interesting Obsidian. Probably Archaic. Wonder if it got that look/grey skin from Centuries of fires ? Don’t think I’ve seen it like that.

          • #10
            This is also the lighter more brittle type of obsidian.

            Interesting shape that I haven't found before.

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            California

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            • Sage hen jack
              Sage hen jack commented
              Editing a comment
              Tom Glad your Okay. Wind and fires are bad combo. This looks to be a ‘Graver’. I know my 14th edition Overstreet guide covers it. I have a basalt one Similar. I think I posted a pic of it a while back.

            • tomf
              tomf commented
              Editing a comment
              Thanks, Jack.

              You are in the west, aren't you? So you understand how the threat of fire plays on the mind.


              Might well be a graver, now you mention it.

              As for this type of obsidian; it's not has common as the heavy black stuff and not from the quarry at St Helena, but I find it quite frequently.

              I think the look and texture is due to an hydration rind that's formed since manufacture. You can see shiny grey material where it's freshly chipped.

              It's very opaque, slightly lighter in weight and more brittle than the Napa obsidian.

              Always interesting to speculate about imported material.

            • Sage hen jack
              Sage hen jack commented
              Editing a comment
              Yes my friend I’m an old N.California and NV native. Shasta/Butte County Country. My G Grandma,Grandparents,Dad and Uncles are buried up in Paradise. I Retired and moved years back. Still have Family and friends there. Hope you guys get some Rain soon. Cool Artifacts your posting 👍

          • #11
            Finally, a hammer-stone that was found in association with the three points above.

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            That's the lot. Thanks for looking.

            Any thoughts on type or knapping technique much appreciated.
            California

            Comment


            • SurfaceHunter
              SurfaceHunter commented
              Editing a comment
              Could be a hammer but has the shape of a pestle. It’s nice

            • Sage hen jack
              Sage hen jack commented
              Editing a comment
              Real sweet little pestle. Love how it shows signs of continuous use and age. Very nice.

            • Cecilia
              Cecilia commented
              Editing a comment
              Just when thought was gonna have to make up Obsidian Song just for you since have as much as I do Quartz......You get yourself a ground stone tool! I think it might be pestle, too. Still, I do love your black glass....

          • #12
            Flakey guy looks like it has a shaft scraper flaked into it...what kind of point is the one on post 7...? Ground base stemmed looks old. Really old!
            North Carolina

            Comment


            • #13
              Originally posted by utilized flake View Post
              Flakey guy looks like it has a shaft scraper flaked into it...what kind of point is the one on post 7...? Ground base stemmed looks old. Really old!
              As I say, not sure about the 'Flake'. Only that it looks like a batwing. Might be too delicate for a shaft scraper.

              I'm not sure which point you mean but, to be honest, I can't ID any of them except the Plateau Pentagonal, which is a guess based on Overstreet pics.

              I also think the big one with the ground base (if that's what it is) is could be quite old. Early Archaic, perhaps.
              California

              Comment


              • #14
                Glad you escaped the fires it has been brutal for so many of you in California. Congrats on the finds though, some interesting pieces.
                Searching the fields of NW Indiana and SW Michigan

                Comment


                • #15
                  I like the big oval scraper and the hard stone the best. Glad you are still safe and back on the site I’ve been wondering where you were I always enjoy reading and seeing your finds
                  NW Georgia,

                  Comment

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