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 Re: New Artifacts Added.
 
 6/13/2007 4:19:25 PM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


Re: New Artifacts Added.
Thanks for that synopsis of the find. Your assessment of the find site sounds right on to me. Would be a great area for an archeological dig. I also agree with your assesment of the artifact in question, it does look to be a bone sharpening tool, with a tapered groove. In NJ at least, sharpening implements like that at not common, which is strange because a tool like that makes alot of sense. I asked the question because there are diagnostic artifacts from an "advanced" culture here in NJ that look similar, and are known as shaft smoothers. The gooves on these tools are more regular in width and not tapered as much, but look basically similar to the one you have. This advanced culture is known for large beautifully made (and out of exotic materials) bannerstones. There is a unique artifact to NJ called a knobbed celt (sometimes called a knobbed adze). I have a friend who is trying to make a case that these knobbed celts are also diagnositic of this advanced culture. So, that's the reason for the question. I'll get some pictures up of the shaft smoothers and knobbed celts/adzes. Wish I could post a few of the large banners made from exotic materials but don't have any of those.
 6/14/2007 12:40:38 AM
User is offlineBigRedMeg
100 posts
5th


Re: New Artifacts Added.

I thought I had heard of the knobbed celt/adz so I checked Hothem's Indian Axes and there is a photo of one from PA. It's odd looking. It looks like a reverse full groove axe. I have seen some grooves in the edges of large boulders at a couple of rock shelters in Kentucky that I thought might be shaft scrapers. Unfortunately the boulders were out in the weather and eroded so there was no way to tell for sure.

 6/14/2007 2:46:48 AM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


Re: New Artifacts Added.
I did put a few pictures up this evening, some shaft smoothers, and the knobbed celt/adzes. I do have a couple of Lar Hothem's books, but not the book on axes. It is my understanding that these knobbed tools are unique to this part of the country, specifically to New Jersey. Of course, when the native people lived here and made those artifacts there was no such thing as NJ and Pa is right across the river. The celts/adzes are on page 10 of NJ artifacts. I am curious if the knobbed artifacts I have are similar to the one in Hothem's book.
 6/16/2007 3:27:04 AM
User is offlineBigRedMeg
100 posts
5th


Re: New Artifacts Added.

The one in the book is similar to the ones you posted. I couldn't tell from the photo in the book that it is only knobbed on the top and bottom. I thought there was a raised band around the entire tool. Knobs on the two smaller sides would work almost as well as a fully ridged piece and would take much less time to make. Interesting artifacts. Most of your shaft smoothers are obviously for that purpose where my two are more like sharpening stones, especially the one from Maryland. It looks like you racked on the recent finds. Congrats!

 6/17/2007 4:31:53 PM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


Re: New Artifacts Added.
I understand your previous response now regarding the knobbed celts/adzes. From the picture, you were thinking the knobbed ridge ran all the way around, like you said, just the opposite of a full grooved axe. After giving this matter some thought, I believe the correct name for this artifact is a knobbed adze. I believe these were hafted like an adze, with the blade edge perpendicular to the handle. And not like an axe, where the blade edge would run horizontal to the handle (just like an axe from today). It is suggested that these tools could have been used to hollow out logs to make boats. As mentioned previously, I am interested in this particular artifact in and of itself, and also because it could be diagnositic. It is not a common artifact, seems to be found only in certain areas. Will just put on the table that a good quality knobbed adze is something I would trade Reales or other items for.
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