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Post by bammer on Apr 15, 2010 14:34:07 GMT -5
Enclosed note Reads: Found by Meg on beach in Leonard Co. MD. Cut to be used as an arrowhead by Indians? I recently acquired this, and I found it interesting. It has a patina and the very point is duller than an average tooth, so it may have been used as a spear point or something. what do ya think?
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Post by arappaho on Apr 15, 2010 19:00:21 GMT -5
Nope, Bammer, that shark just had a bad case of periodontitus. ;D
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Post by leadhand on Apr 15, 2010 20:37:07 GMT -5
Sure looks like a shark's tooth to me
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Post by arappaho on Apr 16, 2010 8:12:18 GMT -5
Alright, nuff with the funny business. Even tho we know the aboriginals used shark teeth, (as well as about everything else you can imagine), as projectile points, they are a very rare find and precious little has been written or documented about them. Bone and antler points are much more common. This tooth sure enough looks to have been made into an arrowhead, but it has been altered way more than any of the other one or two that I have seen. On most the side-notches are barely seen and the base might show signs of grinding for thinning. Would love to see this piece examined by professionals just to see what they have to say. Couldn't find a good link that shows shark tooth projectiles specifically, but here's an interesting link with related info. kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/1811/37207/1/shark_teeth.pdfJoe
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Post by colorshapetexture on Apr 16, 2010 9:04:16 GMT -5
What an exciting find. So rare. So pristine......................... Absolutely beautiful.....
Too good to be true? Awww shit.
Now the mystery begins. Keep us informed. If that is what it looks like. That has got to be a museum piece. To me the area that was removed looks like it was done very crudely.
Great find Bammer.
Jim
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Post by bammer on Apr 16, 2010 12:39:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the pdf. Joe. It is very interesting.
I am glad you posted again I kinda got hurt feelings when you said it wasn't anything.
If I was a primitive person I wouldn't knapp anything I would notch up a sharks tooth and strap it on a stick. I would call this the Lazy knapper technique.
The tooth is actually notched quite even and uniform. Although the notches are cut a bit rough they are even and seem definitely man made.
I think this would make a nice fish spear.
I will try to call the Cleveland Nat history museum and see if they would look at it for me.
If not would you suggest someone to look at it?
thanks
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Post by arappaho on Apr 16, 2010 14:09:47 GMT -5
Hey Bammer, Well the tooth has obviously been altered by man. And probably for use as an arrowhead, (or made to look that way anyway). So I guess the only question left is; When was the alteration done? One problem is there are very few to compare it to. I don't know who would be good to send it to for analysis. Maybe the Smithsonian. In the meantime, it is a very unique piece and I would take Jims' suggestion and treat it like a museum quality piece, because that's what it very well might be. Thanks for the pics, Joe
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