Plains stone axe for ?ing

Tim Simmons · 25th October 2015, 04:54 PM

I just cannot help myself now I have found more.

http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...0%20%2F%209073

Tim Simmons · 31st December 2015, 04:33 PM

I just want to say that I have identified the stone. "Rhyolite" This pink Rhyolite {high grade} is high in silica which makes knapping possible. It is a volcanic stone. If you look carefully you can see holes where gas has escaped. These holes are known as "Vugs" I am sure you needed to know that.

scroll down
http://www.thudscave.com/petroglyphs/knappable.htm

Tim Simmons · 31st December 2015, 05:14 PM

Stuff about Shoshone stone knapping from 1860s onwards, the women were the best at knapping. The Shoshone would have access to the high silica rhyolite quarries which is found in the western USA.

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/bl...ven%201992.pdf

Tim Simmons · 27th February 2016, 04:31 PM

This was on ebay and an offer was excepted. To me it looks very much like a very enthusiastic copy. The blue is so very blue the brass studs are sooo old looking. Glad I paid at least 10 times less. I have saved pictures for when the ebay ones have gone. Also flint rather than rhyolite which is clearly discernable. One easy to nap the other hard.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIG-NATIV...vip=true&rt=nc

stekemest · 27th February 2016, 09:39 PM

Tim, with my limited knowledge of plains weaponry, I do think your piece could be "old" in the sense that it was probably made about 100 years ago. Native Americans produced wallhangers, pieces for trade and use at powwows during that time. However, I don't think it was ever practically used as a weapon or tool. The lines between an "authentic" and a "tourist" piece seem to blur when it comes to Native American antiquities made during the reservation period. Weapons made before that time are very hard to find.

Tim Simmons · 28th February 2016, 08:03 AM

Yes I never suggested it was a battle weapon earlier in the thread.

Tim Simmons · 21st March 2016, 08:13 PM

I am having a problem with the term Reservation period. It starts around 1860 and is not without conflict right up to 1890's and latter. The use of the term seems to down grade Native American culture. As if all fighting stopped and Native American life was devoid of its own sophistication. This is odd as collectors. We accept the weapons, art works and cultural sophistication of say the Zulu and other South African peoples also living on restricted home lands. The artifacts of the Zulu for example do not get the same somewhat scornful treatment. Why is this? Genuine 19th century South African artifacts are very common. Weapons, ceremonial regalia all very common but not questioned is the same way. Why should genuine artifacts of the Plains Nations be not so common or at least plentiful?

25th October 2015, 04:54 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	I just cannot help myself now I have found more. http://anthro.amnh.org/anthropology/...0%20%2F%209073

31st December 2015, 04:33 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	I just want to say that I have identified the stone. "Rhyolite" This pink Rhyolite {high grade} is high in silica which makes knapping possible. It is a volcanic stone. If you look carefully you can see holes where gas has escaped. These holes are known as "Vugs" I am sure you needed to know that. scroll down http://www.thudscave.com/petroglyphs/knappable.htm

31st December 2015, 05:14 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Stuff about Shoshone stone knapping from 1860s onwards, the women were the best at knapping. The Shoshone would have access to the high silica rhyolite quarries which is found in the western USA. http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/bl...ven%201992.pdf

27th February 2016, 04:31 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	This was on ebay and an offer was excepted. To me it looks very much like a very enthusiastic copy. The blue is so very blue the brass studs are sooo old looking. Glad I paid at least 10 times less. I have saved pictures for when the ebay ones have gone. Also flint rather than rhyolite which is clearly discernable. One easy to nap the other hard. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIG-NATIV...vip=true&rt=nc

27th February 2016, 09:39 PM	#5
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Tim, with my limited knowledge of plains weaponry, I do think your piece could be "old" in the sense that it was probably made about 100 years ago. Native Americans produced wallhangers, pieces for trade and use at powwows during that time. However, I don't think it was ever practically used as a weapon or tool. The lines between an "authentic" and a "tourist" piece seem to blur when it comes to Native American antiquities made during the reservation period. Weapons made before that time are very hard to find.

28th February 2016, 08:03 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Yes I never suggested it was a battle weapon earlier in the thread.

21st March 2016, 08:13 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	I am having a problem with the term Reservation period. It starts around 1860 and is not without conflict right up to 1890's and latter. The use of the term seems to down grade Native American culture. As if all fighting stopped and Native American life was devoid of its own sophistication. This is odd as collectors. We accept the weapons, art works and cultural sophistication of say the Zulu and other South African peoples also living on restricted home lands. The artifacts of the Zulu for example do not get the same somewhat scornful treatment. Why is this? Genuine 19th century South African artifacts are very common. Weapons, ceremonial regalia all very common but not questioned is the same way. Why should genuine artifacts of the Plains Nations be not so common or at least plentiful?