Help the new guy ID this object......

[cgode]

OK......I suck with computers and will take bets on how many posts before I actually get a picture to show up

this item was found on a beach on the shore of Connecticut and is apparently a place that arrowheads are frequently found. My guess is that it is a scraper or small knife but I am BRAND NEW to this and really have no clue! The material it is made from is a chert/jasper type according to a friend and not normally found in my area.

If anyone can tell me if it is indeed something crafted by a human hand and how old it may be and any other info I would be thankful......again, I'm really new to this and am afraid I have found a new addiction!

[John G. Scoggins]

I'm going to agree that the material is Jasper.Your piece looks like the edges have been flaked, suggesting use as a knife or scraper.But, you have to factor in the wave action in your area.It could have been tumbling in the surf for quite some time.At the very least you have a waste flake that was chipped off during the point or blade manufacturing process.Like you, I'm leaning towards a flake knife or scraper.Good luck hunting!

[EBCIII]

Congrats on the good find! Nice work, Beale.

[cgode]

Thanks John, surf action in this location is very calm, it's in a fairly well protected bay at the mouth of a river, but I'm sure it has seen its fair number of storms over the years. It looked to me that the flaked edges were fairly obviously done intentionally and not from the surf....although I am completely talking out of my butt due to my inexperience here.....perhaps I'm just delusional and want to hold an old artifact

If you or anyone here has an idea of how old something like this might be I would be interested....again, probably a dumb question from the new guy!

[John G. Scoggins]

No questions are dumb here.Feel free to ask anything.Scrapers are hard to date because one you find on a Paleo site might look very similar to one you find on a Mississippian or other late prehistoric site.I hate to give you such a broad answer but your piece could be anywhere from 12,000 to less than a 1,000 years old.Wish I could narrow it down some more.What type of points are being found?That could help narrow it down some.Keep in mind I'm no expert.Just giving my opinions.

[cgode]

Types of points......ummmm........yea......ok........here it goes, mostly quartz points with side notches, not sure what you call them specifically. I do know the guy I was with was very excited that I found some things made of jasper, he said it is not found in our location and assumed it came to be there through trading....he seemed to think from upstate New York for some reason. I do know they stood out like a sore thumb when I saw them. I only posted pics of two that I found, I'll try to post a pic of all of them together, maybe that will help.

I am trying to do some research as to artifact types and native american people in my area......not successfully I might add......anyone know a good text book for the Northeast or web sites????......I'm trying to educate myself here but it will take some time.
Thanks again John.

[John G. Scoggins]

The Overstreet arrowhead guide has the U.S. divided up into specific regions and can give you a general idea of point types from your area.Plus you can see what types are found in other regions.There is a site called hothemhouse.com that specializes in artifact and native american books.They have several books that are specific to your region.

[cgode]

Thanks John, I'm ordering an overstreet book to assist me.......I've been back to the same spot several times now......(yea, fun on the beach in FREEZING temps with windchills like ya read about!) and every trip I find something that brings me back again and again but no arrowheads....lots of flakes and small scrapers......I know my friend has found arrowheads before, very obvious arrowheads.......I'm assuming I will eventually find one myself with the number of flakes I'm finding....this is turning into an obsession now....I think I need professional help!

[John G. Scoggins]

If you think it's an obsession now, just wait until you start finding some nice stuff.Be ready because it's going to turn into an addiction.Its a good addiction to have.When it's warm, I'm out there looking every weekend unless my wife wants to go out of town.I start early in the morning and stay until close to dark.I usually paddle about eight miles a trip.It's all worth it.

[Howey01]

I would say scraper or knife because of the fine flaking on the edges. Howard