Oligocene-Miocene silicified palmwood (Palmoxylon sp.), east Texas. I once used it as a #flintknapping hammerstone. The dots in 2 photos represent sclerenchyma vascular bundles. It was found near crocodilian #fossils, so based on the rounded shape it could be a gastrolith. #FossilFriday
Serrated Alba (L) & heat-treated Scallorn (R) flintknapped this afternoon. Alba is a Caddo & Coles Creek point dating ca. AD 800-1200 in TX, LA, OK & AR. Scallorn dates ca. AD 700-1150 & is found mainly in TX, LA & OK. #Flintknapping#Archaeology
No, really. Be sure to use protective eyewear when #flintknapping or doing other #archaeology experiments. If you flintknap a whole lot, wear a mask to minimize silica dust inhalation (silicosis disease). #Safety
A heat-treated chert blank & a white Burlington/Keokuk (or similar) chert point fragment from one of my flintknapping errors. I'm using them to do some #Flintknapping. #Archaeology
Modern flakes of the same Oligocene silicified wood from west-central Louisiana. Top views are a flintknapped perforator. This particular "petrified wood" (~50 lb. block) is extremely hard & mostly only suitable for tool production. #FossilFriday#fossils#Archaeology#Flintknapping
I found more of my Alibates flint (agatized dolomite) samples. Alibates colors are so varied, but I prefer the red & lavender. #Archaeology#Flintknapping
More recovered lithic material from the old shed. Here is a large flake of red & lavender Alibates agatized dolomite flint from the same stone that I used to make this Dalton point. #Archaeology#Flintknapping
Thermal alteration pebble 4: Citronelle Formation (Left) brown gravel chert biface with white cortex & near-cortex & (Right) post-heat treating red & pinkish-gray color change. No apparent luster change. #archaeology#Flintknapping
Thermal alteration result of a modern triangular preform made from north-central Florida fossiliferous chert. A change from 10YR8/2, 2.5Y8/1 & 5Y7/6 to a 7.5YR6/3, 5YR7.2 & 2.5YR7/4. No luster change. #Archaeology#Flintknapping
Result of thermal alteration. Yellow & dusty mauve chert biface turned shades of red & mauve during heat-treating. No real luster change. #archaeology#Flintknapping
Unfinished mahogany & black obsidian lanceolate biface. One lateral edge is mahogany reddish-brown & black, while the rest of the rock is black. #Archaeology#Flintknapping
I use it as a "leveling" material to transition from #flintknapping chert, novaculite & chalcedony to working obsidian. Slag glass used to be cheap compared to the price of good obsidian. Best to destroy slag glass to settle down & get back into the rhythm of working obsidian.