Type IIB - Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
Transcription
Type IIB - Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
ACOTW TM www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com Volume IV, Number 6 June 2012 Remember The “Ice Man” Found High In The Alps Between Italy And Austria? This Month Features An Analysis Of The Stone Arrowhead Which Ended His Journey 5,200 Years Ago. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter, “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web”. I hope you enjoyed the recent special edition, Volume IV, Number 5, of our digital e-magazine ... the May, 2012 issue about the Clovis culture and its extensive use of hard-tofind natural resources all across the continent of North America. “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web” provides an on-going series of articles and graphic presentations of information related to the many different aspects of discovering and learning about artifacts of previous cultures found today. Now with over 1,900 monthly subscribers across North America, plus South America, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, we are now mid-way through our fourth calendar year, Volume IV. This June 2012 edition addresses the following topics, among others: • Professor Vittorio Brizzi in northern Italy has long studied “The Ice Man” and artifacts associated with his mummified remains discovered high in the Alps between Italy and Austria. In this issue he brings us a fully illustrated article about the arrowhead which had CAT SCAN of the Iceman provides a view of the arrowhead embedded in his left shoulder. Vittorio Brizzi writes an in-depth analysis of the arrowhead and Otzi’s archery supplies. (Pages 3-11.) a great deal to do with the death of “Otzi” some 5,200 years ago. (See page 3-11.) • Of continuing interest to this e-magazine is the collecting of authentic artifacts ... in person and from online sources. A long-time reader shares his personal experience in collecting as guidance to new hobbyists about acquiring artifacts from collectors and on-line sources. (See pages 14-15.) • An exciting aspect of artifact collecting is the continual development of a better understanding of what we find. The publisher has long identified one of his large jasper points found in the foothills of western Oregon’s Cascade mountains as a “Scottsbluff” ... however, it appears very similar to the “Windust” points shown in recent issues, with shoulder and base details virtually identical to those “Windust” artifacts from about 11,900 years ago. (See page 12.) Read, learn, find, enjoy. And pass it all along to your family and friends. ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Our editorial objective is to help our readers become longterm, even serious collectors of arrowheads, over the years to come. Here are some of the things we hope to accomplish for you in this process: • Help you find new points and understand what it is that you are finding; • Help you to recognize the different kinds and styles of collectable arrowheads and other implements; • Help you to understand about the life ways of the cultures represented by the stone tools which remain; • Help you to discover ways to find good and desirable arrowheads from other sources, such as eBay and special subject web sites; • Help you understand about modern flint knapping, how new points and implements are made, how to recognize them, and how to appreciate those items for the skill and the craftsmanship of the work which they exhibit; • Help you to understand that some people still try to sell unsuspecting collectors items which may or may not be what the items are described to be, that you should be careful when you think about buying points for your collection; • Help you to learn about authentication services and their value to you as a collector. As we do these things, we will maintain your readership and interest in our newsletter for many years to come. Volume IV, Number 6 Thank you for your participation, and your interest in “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web”. Sincerely, F. Scott Crawford Carrollton, Texas When you want to know how to identify the ancient Indian (native American) stone arrowheads which you and your family may find in the Pacific Northwest, read the new book: Stone Projectile Points Of The Pacific Northwest An Arrowhead Collectors’ Guide To Type Identification This 144 page book is now available online at www.Amazon.com, ISBN number: 1453798471; or directly from the publisher through the web site: www.BlackRockPublishing.com Member AACA Authentic Artifact Collectors Association ® © 2012. All Rights Reserved. www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas 2 About The Author From the time when I was 13 or 14 in the forested foothills of the western Oregon Willamette Valley and found my first arrowhead, an obsidian “bird point,” in a field my dad had plowed for an experimental crop of maize, I have always wondered about the people who used these stone tools, how they lived, and what became of them. Some friends had collected Indian artifacts in the desert areas of eastern Oregon and my brothers and I all enjoyed looking at their display of those arrowheads. So, to find some points of our own, on the family land, was particularly exciting. After that, whenever we were working in the bean fields, or tending livestock, or moving irrigation pipes, or just wandering across the back 40, we always would keep an eye out for bits and pieces of worked stone, tools and points, to add to our growing collection. Today, I still keep an eye out for remnants of past cultures. And as the world has changed so much, I can now do much, but not all, of that wandering and learning on the internet, on the world wide web. That’s how I came to be collecting arrowheads on the web, and why I began to put together this newsletter, for others across the land who also are interested in “ Arrowhead Collecting On The Web”. FSC p.s. There is still a time and a place for criss crossing a plowed field, or walking along the banks of a stream, just to see what you might find. Knowing where to look and how, is part of what we plan to explore in the pages of “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web.” Read, learn, find, enjoy. p.p.s. You are invited to visit my flint knapping web site: www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Readers will remember Vittorio Brizzi’s previous article about Bronze Age arrowheads in Northern Italy published in the December 2011 edition. He is the Professor of Experimental Archaeology at the University of Ferrara in northeastern Italy. He has performed extensive studies into the tools and weapons found with the “Ice Man” whose mummified body was discovered in 1991, high up in the Alps along the border between Italy and Austria. In May and June of 2012, his home area was hit by several large earthquakes. You can read his email correspondence about those events on page 16. “Otzi, During His Last 24 To 48 Hours Was Probably Involved In A Really Awful Battle For Survival. Not Against The Natural Elements But Against His Fellow Men.” by Vittorio Brizzi & Alice Brizzi Hundreds of mummified figures have been found throughout the world. Some of them were as old as the Iceman, but none was discovered in his exact circumstances. Almost all of these mummies had arranged burials in which the mummification process was carried out by man or brought about by particular climatic or environmental conditions. These burials, in fact, tell us a great deal about a mummified person, and give us extremely interesting facts about its physiology, biology and genetics. But most of all, these details are important to give us evidence of ritual or religious procedures which, in turn, can relate to specific social or cultural characteristics. In the last few years several theories have been formulated about the death of the Iceman. Some of those, made recently by reputable scientists, are strongly against the scientific evidence discovered to this date. One of the most off base theories is without doubt the one which postulates a “ritual burial.” As in any scientific debate, all assumptions are considered, until certainty and facts prove otherwise. What is certain is that this late theory of a “ritual burial” is quite hard to digest. Primarily because the scenario of an escape in which a running battle to the death occurred fits the forensic evidence which has been discovered. Figure 1. The Otzaler Alp mountain, the red circle is the site of the Iceman, located just 60 meters inside Italian territory, outside Austrian land. He was found here in 1991, on the glacier. This evidence has been studied, its understanding has matured, and today this story of a conflict, flight and subsequent death high on the mountain is quite difficult to dismantle. This article will examine some of the components of this scenario, relating to the documentary evidence of the arrowhead found eleven years ago in the Iceman’s left shoulder, and some aspects of the “material culture” of Copper Age artefacts like stone arrowheads. Figure 2. Chest x-ray of the Iceman: first radiography of the arrowhead. Volume IV, Number 6 Ötzi, in fact, is a 5,200-year-old photograph. His particular distinctiveness is that he was frozen deep in time physically along with objects of his relevant daily lifestyle. Those numerous functional artefacts found near his body allow us some room to conjecture about how he lived, his habits and even his 3 personality. All of this, part of an enormous Copper Age culture scan, yields much information. Thanks to earlier archaeological excavations and recent scientific studies, we now have been given a rare insight to comprehensively reconstruct a chain of knowledge and events to understand the last days of the Iceman’s (“Ötzi” as he has been nicknamed) life. Ötzi, during his last 24 to 48 hours was probably involved in a really awful battle for survival. This was not against nature, but against his fellow men. His wounds, apart from the arrow head in his shoulder, stand witness: the cuts on his hand and forearm; the bruises on his back and the blood from more than four different men on his (...continues on p. 4) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web knife, jacket and the point of a broken arrow which he carried with him in his quiver. There were few certainties in this case, and it would be difficult not to lose oneself in fantasy. Ötzi’s shoulder wound, it would be fair to suggest, might well have been the mortal blow, even though it is well known that in certain cases people struck by a flying projectile can survive for a long time. One example of this is Kennewick Man, dated back 9,200 years ago in Washington state, who had a spear point embedded in his pelvic2 bone; the stone fragment was surrounded by regrown bone tissue … evidence that he survived. Another example is that of a woman, 11,000 years ago, from the Grotta di San Teodoro, in Sicily, who had remnants of a stone projectile stuck in her side … she survived the wound for a long time. Once again the regrown bone tissue bears this out. Figure 3. CAT SCAN of the Iceman shows the arrowhead embedded in his left shoulder. My own hunting experience using prehistoric equipment, and that of other bow hunters with whom I am in contact, could be useful to understand some aspects of the battle in which Otzi was involved, but only up to a certain point … I’ve never been involved in a real battle between humans, and modern reference works are scarce about the topic of archery-based conflict. The impression which I get from the wound and the penetration of the arrow, compared with examples of similar situations in wildlife, is that the injury could have been (or become) fatal, even if the times and circumstances as they are known today are unable to support an absolutely positive verdict. In our case the facts are these: The arrow penetrated the jacket material at the left shoulder, smashed the shoulder blade, stopping a few centimetres from a lung. The forensic observation3 proves that the arrow shaft was removed before death and no parts of it remain in situ. By removing the shaft of the arrow, its head must have been slightly retracted to such a position where the barbs securely caught in the tissue and, eventually, the arrowhead separated from the now missing shaft. This also (...continues on p. 5) Volume IV, Number 6 Figure 4. 3D view of the arrowhead. 4 June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web indicates that the Iceman was at this time in a semi up right position, similar to the one in which his corpse was found in 1991 on the glacier. The outer end of the shooting channel is currently obstructed by the prominently right-bending left arm. Since the slightly more ventrally positioned subclavian vein can be clearly identified, this also proves that the lacerated more dorsal vessel must be the subclavian artery. Major symptoms often include massive active bleeding, expanding haematoma and shockrelated cardiac arrest. Certainly this wound was very painful, worsened by a heavy bleeding coupled with a progressive weakness. Figure 5. The arrowhead rebuilt by a rapid prototyping process based on three-dimensional tomography CAT-SCAN. Figure 6. The flint replica by the author. The Murderous Arrow Head Of the arrow shaft that killed Ötzi nothing is present except for the small flint arrowhead, first discovered by Gostner’s x-ray in Bolzano. The arrow point was subsequently rebuilt with a rapid prototyping process based on a three-dimensional tomography (CAT-SCAN). Naturally x-rays pass undisturbed through organic materials, so it is quite impossible to know how much organic material may still be attached to the arrow head. (Figures 1, 2, 3) From the pictures of the reconstruction I made it is easy to notice how the prototype process made point is lacking in details; it measures 2.1cm long by 1.7 wide. (Figures 5, 6) I almost forgot to say that those reports, showing the amazing details of Ötzi’s archery accessories, may suggest a sub-alpine cultural tradition. This conclusion is possible because the arrow heads fitted to the only two complete arrows in the quiver (supposing of course that these arrows are Ötzi’s own and not collected during the anxious flight of his running battle) belong to a style of point used on the southern alpine slopes (Remedello Culture, Figure 7) and are not north Tyrolean arrow heads from the mountain cultures. Moreover, the arrow head in the Iceman’s shoulder, even if shorter, is of the same type. Archaeological evidence shows that the ancient Austrians (of the Cham and Altheim Culture, Figure 8) preferred flat-bottomed or slightly curved triangular arrowheads minus a central stem. Volume IV, Number 6 Figure 7. “Classical” arrowheads of the Remedello Culture, author’s replicas. This characteristic shape, both cultural and functional1, clearly identifies the arrow head and allows the gory incident which happened to Ötzi to be recorded as the result of a clash or disagreement between people from the slopes of the Southern Alps. On the other hand, investigating the food remains eaten by Ötzi, we understand with reasonable accuracy his route which began from the Valley Venosta, continued in direction of the present artificial lake of Vernago, and then along the Tisental (the valley of Tisa), as far as Giogo di Tisa. The murder scene was then on the crest between the Punta di Finale and the Hauslabjoch, which mark the borders between the northern and southern slopes of the Otzaler Alp mountain range (Figure 1). This tells us in all probability that Ötzi’s attackers were proto-Italic men. If the arrows in the whole quiver, those fitted with arrow heads, were owned by our man, he may come from the same ethnic background. Having said that, the doubt about the small arrow head remains; at this point we still have many uncertainties. Figure 8. Cham & Altheim Culture arrowheads, author’s replicas. 5 We are sure just about one thing: The (...continues on p. 6) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web arrow head is really quite small, yet it penetrated 50mm (2”) of cloth and smashed the left shoulder blade. We don’t know if the arrow may have also passed through other cloth or fabrics and what additional damage the impact might have caused. And here is the doubt: Was it a “last chance” attempt, shot from a strong bow and arrow weapon system fit for a real warrior or perhaps from a light bow made for a less imposing “weedy” man? (Might this suggest a theory about an angry lover?) The size and the form of this arrow head was the result of a corrective adjustment to allow its re-use. In other words, the arrow head formed a portion of a set of archery equipment similar to that used by Ötzi. The reader should make note of this fact: The relative power of the propulsion unit of a bow and arrow hunting system allows a solitary hunter (or, for that matter, one who tracks game with fellow hunters) to shoot an arrow Figure 9. Comparison between Iceman’s shoulder arrowhead (bottom right) and “usual” arrowheads found in burial sites of the Remedello Culture. effectively at short to medium range, both for accuracy and body-damaging impact. This helps in the retrieval of bigger game, by not giving prey a chance to run away with a lesser wound. Up to now, everything seems to make sense: I would never dream of going off to hunt large game (like the black bear, the European red deer or the big alpine Stambecco – Capra Ibex) with a (...continues on p. 7) Figure 10. Otzi carried a 14-arrow quiver -- a dozen rough-hewn Viburnum (Viburnum lantana) shafts, each with a single incision for the arrow head, and two complete but broken shafts. One of these was entirely made of Viburnum; the other was a composite, with a Cornel (Cornus mas) foreshaft which was armed with the arrow head. Volume IV, Number 6 6 June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web bow weaker than 70 pounds and with arrows lighter than those found in Ötzi’s quiver. What means the term “last chance”? Accounts reveal eye witnesses telling how, in emergency situations, hunters emptied their quivers against a target. As a good hunter, the archer carries many arrows on his shoulders, among them different style and weight arrows, some intended for large and some for small game. When in deep need, having already shot his most appropriate arrows, he may be driven to empty his quiver, even using those intended for different game. In Denmark, near lake Vig, they found a very beautiful Mesolithic aurochs or urus rib (Bos Primigenius) with a trapezoidal arrow point struck in it (the classical transversal cutting edge, a trapezius with the bigger side corresponding to the impact edge)4 . It is easy to imagine how that poor bison, already wounded by the other arrows and about to be killed like a bull full of banderillas or barbed darts, felt when this extra arrow hit him. In theory, it was not meant for him. The Volume IV, Number 6 hunter had certainly targeted him, firing every available arrow. I would probably have done exactly the same thing with a wounded and very angry bison in the middle of the water, not worrying about the “how”. My opinion that the Iceman’s arrow head was the result of a “repair job” after previous use stems from the fact that its base dimension are very close to those of the others, which in other aspects are longer in form, more like new, unused points. As far as I know, “new” arrow heads with a design which could be contained in a square (I mean the “body” of the arrow head without the stem) have almost never been found in burial sites; instead, in burial sites you find many unused arrow heads with an isosceles triangle shape base twice or more the body length. On the other hand, reshaped and reworked arrowheads which are now shorter in their linear dimension are common enough in the shallow ground surfaces where, presumably, they were witness to multiple hunting and/or fighting episodes; the tips being 7 re-sharpened after impact damage, while the base would not need repair as often. Comparing the reproduction arrow heads (Figure 9) to those in Ötzi’s equipment (see Figure 10) you can see at once that the base or tang length is more or less similar, while the “live” area length is almost doubled. As you can see in the photo of my reconstruction, the length is not bad. The one thing common to all three of the original arrow heads I think is the system of re-utilisation, which is evident from the similarity of the finishing retouches and the obvious signs of impact (this assumption of damage from actual use impact is backed up by blood traces found in two of the items from the quiver, see below). The shoulder arrowhead from the Iceman’s body could be characteristic of the more advanced re-utilization process. The reshaping naturally concerns not just the arrow’s point but its shoulders, too, which may suffer damage when the arrow enters its target. In many hunting scenarios this has (...continues on p. 8) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web happened to my arrowheads. I have had to reshape the arrow head’s edge and even make some stronger adjustments to arrows which were damaged when they missed their targets or even arrows which hit their targets but lost their wholeness in the impact. During these very hurried situations (I had neither the time nor the equipment to hand) I have often adjusted the arrow head by simply supporting my work on a tree trunk as a support and using a deer antler tip to reshape the damaged arrowhead by pressure flaking (see Ötzi’s pressure flaking tool in Figure 11). Up to a certain limit, it is possible to continue reshaping a damaged arrow head without compromising the arrow’s ballistic performances, but when the “live area” length of the point becomes smaller than its width, the arrow becomes “downgraded”. Personally, I re-use these arrows for hunting small game (and winged game, replacing the tail feathers with three having bigger surface, so that their penetration capability is less than needed for big game. Figure 11. The Iceman’s retouching tool (antler tine hafted in Tilia wood handle). The Arrows In Ötzi’s Quiver Now, regarding the arrows in Ötzi’s quiver, I refer to the undamaged ones (with attached points) which are the most powerful you can have at your disposition … the complete arrow weighs about 900-1000 grains each (Figure 10). Based on the current knowledge you can just imagine a very powerful weapon system with a bow boasting 38 to 45 kg tension, worthy of an English bowman during the Hundred Years’ War! This is quite different from Arm Paulsen’s thought, who has tried to reproduce Ötzi’s unfinished bow, supposing it to be a standard version bow from that civilization. I prefer to consider Ötzi’s bow shaft as a makeshift temporary weapon, a transitory prototype, an incomplete expedient destined for use in an emergency (due to the on-going fight and the lack of time to prepare himself with effective equipment). Without going into too many theoretical considerations, the large number of his arrows, their length and diameter were also more suitable to a very strong bow. In 2006 I published a Volume IV, Number 6 Figure 12. The little flint Dagger in the Iceman’s equipment. The blade is a clear example of Remedello side notched typology (V. Brizzi--S. Iacopini replica). study5 about this topic, and in 2011 I began a research program6. Starting from these facts, dimensions and weights, the kinetic energy calculation (and that of momentum) from the arrow is a straight forward process. You can then calculate the draw of the bow which has discharged these arrows with reasonable accuracy. Ötzi carried a 14-arrow quiver … with a dozen rough-hewn Viburnum Lantana shafts (each with a single incision for the arrow head) and two complete but broken shafts (Figure 10). One of these was entirely made of a single shaft of Viburnum. The other was a composite, with a Cornel (Cornus mas) fore shaft, which was armed with the arrow head. Some say that the additions of such extensions were made in order to re-use a shaft which had been previously broken in its last 10 cm. I rather believe it was the intentional first design for the arrow, rather 8 than an attempt at repair. Evidence of creating such a two-stage missile (the fore shaft) is well noted in numerous primitive societies. The last two arrows were also different: Helicoidal or flattened spiral feathering, fastened to the shaft with birch-bark glue and reinforced with a wrapping of lamb’s hair, one of them in a right helical twist, the other one in a left helical twist. This was supposed by Arm Paulsen, (the first re-constructor of Ötzi’s personal archery effects), to have been produced by two different people; one of them right-handed, the other, left-handed. At a first glance, this explanation appears perfectly reasonable. Then, one day, I scanned through the arrows that I normally use for hunting, and I found the same thing. A number of arrows, made a long time ago by (...continues on p. 9) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web someone whom I don’t clearly remember, in an old goatskin quiver … some were right-wing feathered arrows and some with left-wing feathers. This means that the binding process itself is absolutely insignificant, just as it does not matter whether the spiral is to the left or to the right side. It depends only on where you want to start the binding, if from the nock or from the opposite direction further down the shaft. Anyway, this doesn’t mean that the two arrows could not have been made by two different people. Other colleagues interested in primitive archery confirmed my theory. The arrowheads found equipping the arrows in the quiver were part of two shafts broken in several places. On closer examination, the breaks did not seem to me to be the result of a fall (the other non-feathered shafts seemed to be intact and were in the majority) rather, this suggests that the arrows had been repaired several times. The analysis of blood traces present up to 50cm from the tip would seem to confirm this. Their most recent shot at a target resulted in a miss, with the impact producing breaks upon which work was planned in an effort to recycle the valuable bits. They could even have been fired arrows that missed our fleeing man, which were quickly collected by him for re-use (Ötzi only had unfinished equipment, but kept with him all the necessary tools for their rebuilding and assembly). The arrowheads which we are talking about are of the Remedello type, and show clear signs of corrective retouching. One of these (the one engaged in the Cornel fore shaft) is fractured in the shank, which has an abnormal magnitude (visible from the X-ray, still connected within the shaft). We can suppose that it was originally of considerable size and mass. On the other hand, a rod of viburnum 1 cm (a little over 3/8”) in diameter and 90cm (35.4”) long weighs from 60 to 70 grams (about 1000 grains, including the arrowhead, the birch-bark mastic and the feathers and binders) and would require, from a ballistic point of view, a tip considerably heavy to have a dynamic center of gravity moved forward enough. This is for stability in the air and the penetration coefficient. Volume IV, Number 6 Figure 13. Profile of Arrowheads found in the Iceman’s quiver. Forensic Analysis Af The Arrow With Foreshaft. Some close observation, from Loy 1994 preliminary reports7: This arrow shaft is the only one that shows extensive modification and decoration. It was a compound arrow consisting of both a shaft and foreshaft. The shaft has an intermittent spiral pattem of darkened stripes. The fletching is attached with string binding and the same black pitch compound used as a hafting resin. The foreshaft is inserted into a cylindrical hole made in the distal end of the shaft. The outer surface of the shaft at the area of foreshaft insertion was carved into a shallow depression completely around the shaft. When the foreshaft was inserted into the shaft, this depression was bound with string and covered with the black pitch. Traces of the string wrapping pattern are evidenced by remnants of the pitch; only one small piece of the string and a remnant fragment of the pitch are currently attached to the distal end of the foreshaft. The foreshaft has a compound geometry which, at the joining with the shaft is circular and at the joining with the arrowpoint is rectangular in cross-section. The tang of the arrowpoint was inserted into a groove, lashed with string and coated with pitch. The foreshaft and shaft were tested with the Hemastix to determine the origins of discoloured patches and larger areas, and to in vestigate the origin of the spiral pattem. In addition, a series of tests were made along the length of the whole shaft to in vestigate the possible maximum penetration of the shaft into 9 a prey animal. Very strong reactions were noted on both the foreshaft (4+) and 4 cm proximal from the end of the shaft/foreshaft join (3+); tests taken near the midpoint of the shaft yielded reactions of 2+. From the midpoint of the shaft to a point 13.5 cm from the broken proximal end gave reactions of 1+. Testing the difference in reaction of the spiral discoloured band and adjacent clear areas yielded a reaction of 1+ in both samples. I conclude that the maximum penetration was up to 1/2 the length of the arrow and that there is a background of blood deposition on the remaining rear 1/2 of the arrow most likely reflecting handling (with bloody hands) during the removal of the arrow from the (human) prey. The dark spiral decorative pattern did not give elevated Hemastix reactions (not greater than a score of 1), nor did the dark areas appear similar microscopically with any of the bloody areas on other parts of the shaft/foreshaft. This spiral pattern of light and dark bands was most likely produced by wrapping the shaft with a narrow piece of leather or plant material and exposing the whole of the shaft to dense smoke. Such a treatment would leave the observed spiral pattern after the wrapping is removed. Examination of the darkened areas with very high magnification might reveal traces of carbon (fly ash, soot) within the fabric of the woody tissue. Wrapping and smoking of arrow shafts for decorative purposes is a widespread practice in many parts of the world. This point was recovered from the quiver separately from the shaft and (...continues on p. 10) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Figure 14. The Foreshaft with its assembly components for the composite arrow. has been glued back into its original position during conservation, a fact which makes it difficult to observe the morphology of the break. However even without being able to see the entire break clearly, the geometry of the break is consistent with experimental evidence suggesting a high energy impact along the axis of the arrow shaft as opposed to a low energy break (dropping, damage during pressure retouching). The arrow point was separated from a long tang section still remaining in the fore shaft. The tip has been damaged by impact with a hard, but yielding material shown by a bending-type snap fracture. In addition there has been the removal of a “burin-like” flake from the area of the snap fracture. Residues were observed in the scar of the snap fracture, but not in the scar area of the burin-like flake removal. This indicates two separate episodes of impact tip-damage. There is pronounced edge rounding on one edge (from roughly the midpoint to the base) suggesting a long period of use had elapsed since its manufacture. The residues observed include hair fragments embedded in both the hafting pitch and in protein residues on the point surface. The residues on the point surface have parallel striae visible near the tip which are aligned with the long axis of the point. The residues are thicker over the proximal 2/3 of the point than in the forward 1/3. Muscle tissue was observed near the base. The residues were very thick near the base and the thickest zone corresponds to the location of a previous hafting position. Blood residue was visible in the area between the surface of the point and the inner surface of the hafting wood. A single Hemastix test was made which returned a reaction of 1+. The surface was very hydrophobic and comparisons made before and after the test indicate that very little residue was actually removed and tested. When removing residue from the basal thick deposits (Sample #24) more liquid was used and a longer soaking time was allowed. The subsequent liquid sample was viscous and reddish brown, consistent with experience removing thick blood residues from other archaeological tools (for example see Loy 1993). Associated with the mix of residues at the base of the point were small grains of angular mineral sand and silt. Also observed was one plant spicule (trichome) consistent in shape and size with those found on the Scraper of the Iceman. The sand particles on the surface but not incorporated within the residue, and the striations within the residue near the tip suggest direct contact with soil, probably at the time of the breakage, ie. the last use. The phytolith could have come from a variety of activities, too many in fact to make any useful inference at this time. Arrowhead Without Foreshaft This arrow point was not hafted into a foreshaft, but directly into an arrow shaft. The breakage point was near the proximal end of the tang. The arrow point is still wrapped in pitch covered “string” and includes the forward portion of the arrow shaft. Some of the pitch has been removed on both sides revealing the string wrapping. A previous hafting line is evidenced by a buildup of residue just forward of the present haft. The geometry of the broken surface at the tang reflects a high energy rotational impact break. Sand grains are impacted into residues near the haft, in step fracture scars which are oriented to face toward the tip, and under and in the wooden shaft at the haft itself. There is impact damage to a small area of one edge near the tip. (...continues on p. 11) Figure 15. The Arrowhead with foreshaft showing sampled locations (circle with number) designated Face B, side (edge) B uppermost; black area is extensive pitch deposit, note the tip has been snapped. Volume IV, Number 6 10 June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Figure 16. The single shaft Arrowhead. Residues include hairs on both surfaces which are embedded in blood residues. Only one hair had the scale pattem well preserved, the remaining hairs were abraded and/or the cuticular scale pattern was obscured. The residues are very thick in some places (> 20 μm) and have a dark brown/ black appearance, similar to the pitch used in hafting. Hemastix reactions of this thick deposit yield 4+ reactions, and thus the colour reflects a very thick blood residue rather than pitch. Striated muscle tissue is preserved in residue near the base of the arrow point. Near the tip there is dragging and smearing of the residue parallel to the axis of the point. Abrasion of cuticular scale pattems in hairs is not uncommonly observed in prehistoric residues; I had previously thought this to be due to abrasion by movement of the soil against the tool during the burial period. Although the cause of the abrasion seen here cannot be unambiguously determined, Volume IV, Number 6 it is clearly not a soil abrasion effect given burial in ice and the storage of the broken point in the quiver. The abrasion could have came from either a secondary effect of the point hitting the ground when it broke, from quiver wear during its use life, or simply long use. Important is the presence of clearly identifiable red blood cells almost at the midpoint of one face (Figure 16, lower, boxed area). The cells are classic in shape (circular, biconcave) and have no nucleus. Some cells appear (without staining) to be nucleated and I guess that they are probably circulating “white” cells (eg., lymphocites, macrophages). Notes and Bibliography 1 “functional”: the hafting system of a triangular tip is much weaker than to a stemmed (or notched) hafting system but can be a functional response to the need to remain stuck in the target, leaving free the shaft and to promote the bleeding of the wound. 2 Bachechi L., Fabbri P.F., Mallegni F., 11 1997. An Arrow-Caused Lesion in a Late Upper Paleolithic Human Pelvis, Current Anthropology, Vol. 38, No. 1, 135-140, The University of Chicago Press 3 Pernter P., Gostner, P., Egarter Vigl, A., Ruhli, F. 2007: Radiologic proof for the Iceman’s cause of death (ca. 5,300 BP), Journal of Archaeological Science 34 (2007) 1784 e 1786 4 Crombé, Philippe, Yves Perdaen, Joris Sergant, and Jean-Paul Caspar. 2001. Wear Analysis on Early Mesolithic Microliths from the Verrebroek Site, East Flanders, Belgium. Journal of Field Archaeology 28: 253-269. 5 Baugh D., Brizzi V., Baker T, 2006, Otzi’s Bow, The Society of Primitive Technologies Bulletin #31. Spring 2006 6 Brizzi V., Pedrotti A., Loi. C., 2011: Looking for an experimental frame of reference for the Otzi’s bow, 3rd International Congress of Experimental Archaeology (Banyoles, 17-19 October 2011), 7 T.H. Loy Analysis of the Artefacts of the Ice Man of Hauslabjoch: Microscopy and Residue Analysis, Mainz, Innsburck: Forschunginstitut für Alpine Vorzeit, LeopoldFranzens Universität. (Manuscript on File). August 1994 June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Two Opaque Black Obsidian “Windust” Projectile Points From Idaho & Eastern Oregon, Prompt Re-Examination & Possible Identification Of A Jasper Artifact From Western Oregon. The jasper projectile point to the right was found on an un-paved mountain logging road in Linn County, Oregon in the mid 1960s. For many years I had no idea what type of projectile point it is. Some years ago I decided that perhaps it is a “Scottsbluff” point. However, after examining these two “Windust” points from eastern Oregon and Idaho, I am of the revised opinion that it exhibits the same wide, parallel-sided base tang, with strong side to side pressure flaking on the tang, plus the same barbed, hooking shoulders as these two “Windust” points. In addition, it displays the same highly skilled pressure flaking craftsmanship as the two “Windust” projectile points. Shown here actual size, at 2-1/2” long, the jasper point is a little shorter, and its 5/8” wide base is almost as wide as the 3/4” base of the other two. The right, smaller obsidian “Windust” point was found in the 1950s in eastern Oregon (shown actual size, 3-1/4” long). The left, slightly larger obsidian “Windust” point is a cast made by Pete Bostrom at the Lithic Casting Lab in Troy, Illinois. The original projectile point was found associated with a burial discovered during a gravel quarrying operation in Twin Falls County, Idaho in 1989. The burial was carbon dated to 11,875 calendar years before the present. Volume IV, Number 6 12 June 2012 FLINT KNAPPING 20.12 ACOTW TM TM “24 Comprehensive Steps ~ Your Fast Track to Making Arrowheads Yourself” Collecting On The Web If youArrowhead just gotta learn how to make stone arrowheads, spear and dart points or knife blades, make sure you order a subscription today, so you don’t miss a single one of the 24 profusely illustrated lessons in the new flint knapping correspondence course: “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” You will learn to make arrowheads which you’ll be proud to show your friends ... guaranteed. Or You Pay Nothing!* *(See my “Chiseled In Granite & Chipped In Flint Guarantee!” below.) Your First Two Lessons -- My FREE Gift To You, As An Introductory Trial Membership. by F. Scott Crawford The first two lessons in your subscription are my gift to you. Even the postage is on me. They are the Introductory Trial Membership to your full subscription. After you receive these first two free lessons of “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12”, if you are not happy with your subscription for any reason whatsoever, simply reply to the first monthly billing notice from PayPal®, and request that your subscription be cancelled. You will owe nothing and you may keep the first two introductory lessons as my gift to you. All the risk is mine, and the rewards of learning an exciting and challenging new craft are yours to enjoy for many years to come. What Do You Get When You Order “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12”? Twice Each Month, You Will Learn More Ancient & Proven Secrets To Build A Solid Foundation In The Essential Aspects Of “Flint Knapping”. • Spalls Of Stone • Chips Off The Old Block • Heat Treatment • Percussion Cores • Chips & Blades • Indirect Percussion • Pressure Flaking • Edge Preparation • Platform Preparation • Perfecting A Practice Piece • Percussion Preforms Here is the list of topics prepared for your complete series of lessons in “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12”. • Mastering The Stone • Hammer Stone Percussion • Soft Hammer Percussion Here’s How To Order “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” Through The Secure PayPal® Subscription Management System -- You Can Click The Web Link Below: Plus, I Will Send You, Free, A Personalized Three-Ring Binder For Your Copies Of “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” At Lesson #3 Subscribe to “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” by visiting my web site listed below. Click one of the PayPal® Subscribe buttons on the site. You will receive two 8- to 16-page lessons each month, for $9.95 per lesson, with secure billing through PayPal® of just $19.90 per month, post paid. Your membership continues twelve months, ‘til you get all 24 lessons. I thought about delivering each lesson once a month ... but what eager flint knapping student Each twice-monthly lesson of “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” is designed to introduce flint knapping methods and ideas in an additive order so you will learn and use them progressively to begin making arrowheads for yourself, with increasing skill and confidence as you learn and practice. “I Guarantee It!” If, after 180 days (six months ~ 12 issues) of “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” you can not use the recommended methods and tools to make stone arrowheads you are proud to show your friends, just send an e-mail to me, the author, and I will refund every penny of your subscription paid to that point in time. Keep the personalized notebook and lessons you have received as my gift to you. No questions. No problems. Period. That’s my “Chiseled in Granite & Chipped in Flint Guarantee!” to you ~ it’s tougher than any old Bronze, Iron or even Space Age refined sugar warranty. F. Scott Crawford,6 Carrollton, Texas ([email protected]) Volume IV, Number • Preforms & Slabs ~ Ready To Finish Now • The Secret To More Powerful Pressure Flaking • Notch Your Stuff & Better Notching Tools • Small Point Pressure Flaking • Working With Core & Blades • Completing A Percussion-Only Project • Gunther Style Arrowhead ~ Northwest • Cahokia Style Arrowhead ~ Midwest • Dalton & Humboldt ~ Early Archaic Period • Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention • Stone Sources In The Space Age & Stone By Mail • Clovis & Agate Basin ~ Paleo Period* • Ishi Arrow Points ~ End Of The Stoneage* • Folsom & Cumberland ~ Indirect Percussion* *Bonus Editions Read, study and practice what you learn in each lesson. Do this and you will indeed be on the “Fast Track” to learn, enjoy and master the challenging craft of flint knapping. wants to wait a whole month for the next lesson of “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12”? So, they come out twice a month. Each fully-illustrated, clearly-written lesson comes in full color. It is already 3-hole punched for your personalized three-ring binder. After your 24 lessons are complete, you’ll also get Three Bonus Editions about the most desired and challenging flint knapping techniques and projects: “Clovis & Agate Basin ~ Paleo Period”, “Ishi Arrow Points ~ End of the Stoneage” and “Folsom & Cumberland ~ Indirect Percussion”. FLINT KNAPPING 20.12 TM 13 June 2012 www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net/FLINT_KNAPPING_20-12.html © 2012, all rights reserved. F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas. www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net/FLINT_KNAPPING_20-12.html “FLINT KNAPPING 20.12” is a trademark of F. Scott Crawford. ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web “The Worldwide Net Has Extended The Reach Of Artifact Collectors And, At The Same Time, It Has Increased The Vulnerability Of The Artifact Collector” -- What Can You Do? by Bruce Pailler The worldwide net has extended the reach of artifact collectors and, at the same time, it has increased the vulnerability of the artifact collector who may become the victim of the plague of fraud that has infested the online component of the hobby. Despite the recent strides accomplished by AACA to remove the artifakers from Ebay and other venues, collectors must remain vigilant to protect themselves from fraud. As a lifetime {64 yr.} collector, I have derived some general principles that help protect me from fraud and enhance my joy of collecting. Learning is often a process of trial and error. I offer the following guidelines as a way of reducing the probability of error: Principle I -- BUY ONLY FROM PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND TRUST There is a modicum of risk involved in any relationship. It is a good idea to begin with relatively small stakes. Most often I find my initial “gut feelings” confirmed with individuals who sell artifacts. I would like to think that I learned something about character judgment after 30 years of working as a psychologist. Principle II -- LEARN BEFORE YOU BUY Collecting artifacts exposes one to a wealth of knowledge in the fields of archaeology, artifact typology and anthropology. These fields are on the cusp of resolving the mystery of the origin of the first Americans. The science of genetics will reveal more in the current century than carbon 14 analysis did in the last century. Intact DNA from 14,000 year old fossilized bones has been extracted and sequenced. Some books should be required reading for all collectors. Jim Bennett’s tome on reproduction artifacts is essential. Jim’s introductory series on collecting is excellent. Unfortunately, Greg Perino’s Selected Preforms, Points and Knives of the American Indians (1986) is out of print. Volume 1 of this three volume set is the one most Volume IV, Number 6 applicable to collecting in the U.S. This is an extremely difficult book to find but it is well worth the premium price. Another author important for artifact collectors is Noel Justice. I am currently rereading his Stone Age Spear Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States. Justice approaches typology through the concept of ”clusters” which capture the interrelated aspects of point types. He also provides maps of the distribution ranges of point types which are informational but, because of the extensive exchange networks that moved points hundreds of miles beyond their origins, the maps cannot be interpreted literally to type all points. When a collector limits himself to specialization in selected points defined by type or region, a focus is defined. It is impossible to collect all the points of the world. Eventually the paleo collector learns about the Solutrean (possible European precursor). Yesterday, I saw one found in Rhode Island! tifact, they should be asked before the transaction is considered. A seller’s return policy should be specified and it should be reasonable (at least providing a 30 day interval within which items may be returned). If part of an item’s description is a photograph and there are any ambiguities about the picture, it is reasonable to request another picture. Finally, in the event of an item represented as authentic, which is subsequently examined and determined by a reputable authenticator to be a reproduction or to be highly rechipped, it is important to file a formal complaint with the purchasing venue management. In these instances I usually offer the seller the alternatives of a full refund or formal mail fraud charges. Mail fraud is relatively easily initiated with a form available in most post offices. Examples of Principles in Action Principle III -- CONSIDER THE PAPER Because there is no objective, valid, reliable method of dating the flaking on ancient stonework, the cottage industry of authentication has emerged. Authenticators are individuals who examine artifacts and issue a certificate delineating their opinion of the artifact’s authenticity. This process is often criticized as “only one man’s opinion.” And some authenticators have been charged with fraud, but the issuance of “paper” (COA’s) is an important and useful feature for the collector. Not only does a COA help ascertain the value of an artifact, it is a good predictor of one’s impression of the artifact. The collector should find authenticators whose opinions they share and respect so that authenticator’s paper can be used in making buying decisions. Principle IV -- BE AN ASSERTIVE BUYER If there are any questions about an ar14 First pictured is an artifact I bought from an on line offering from an Indiana collector I had dealt with for about six years (Principle I). I had concluded that this was either a Hardaway or a Quad (Principle II). Because of my relationship with the seller (Principles I and IV) we agreed that the transaction would be pending based upon authentication of the artifact (Principle III). Ben Stermer subsequently authenticated it as an authentic Hardaway. (...continues on p. 15) June 2012 ACOTW TM Arrowhead Collecting On The Web This is a Thebes E-notch type which I bought from a Southern Ohio collector I have known for many years (Principle I). The Thebes is a type that I have studied with fascination since I moved to Ohio in 2005. The attractiveness of this artifact was enhanced by the Stermer COA that came with it (Principle III). This (Los Aminas Co., Colorado) Calf Creek was bought with some flexibility of principle, but it is now one of my favorite artifacts. It was purchased from an Ebay seller I did not know (violation of Principle I), but it had a Rogers COA (Principle III). The Calf Creek is an artifact that has fascinated me for years and I have read most of the archaeologic data on the type (Principle II). It is interesting how in this particular example I used Principles II and III to rationalize my lack of literal adherence to Principle I. Volume IV, Number 6 Above is a Northern Side Notch point that I bought from an Ebay seller who had sold me another Oregon point years ago (Principle I). I have been interested in artifacts from Oregon since a visit with my brother in law in that state years ago. I had subsequently read Noel Justice’s excellent book on the artifacts of the Great Basin (Principle II). As the auction for this item progressed, I equivocated because of the price. After I read the Stermer COA (Principle III), I went for it and I am glad I did! Pictured is a St. Louis type Clovis purchased from a Missouri collector with whom I have exchanged rocks for about ten years (Principle I). The type is one I have studied and lusted after for many years (Principle II). The artifact came with both Rogers and Stermer papers (Principle III). 15 Pictured above is a (Ross Co., Ohio) Thebes I bought from an Ohio seller with whom I am in the initial stage of an artifactual relationship(building on Principle I). I have bought a few points from him and an EXCELLENT bannerstone. I am attracted to the pictured point by the banding of color in the flintridge material. The artifact came with a Davis COA (Principle III). It is currently accepted that the Thebes type is from around 9,400 BP, which places this long undervalued artifact in the same category as some of the Transitional Paleo/early Archaic types which attract more interest and higher prices (Principle II). Pictured is a (White Co., Arkansas) Calf Creek with Stermer paper (Principle III) obtained from a long term collector friend in Arkansas. I met this seller on line about ten years ago and he has become a trusted fellow collector with whom I have exchanged numerous artifacts (Principle I). The power of the web to facilitate this type of positive relationship is something that I value. June 2012 ACOTW TM Danish Neolithic Dagger Type IIB Arrowhead Collecting On The Web e-Mail Letters: May 20, 2012 Hi Vittorio, I hope this finds you without damage from the recent earthquake there in northern Italy! Stay safe my friend. Scott May 20, 2012 Thank you, Scott, Last night was “fun” ... the first earthquake was developed about 40 km from my home. I live in a recently built palace at the tenth floor, I calculated oscillations (fortunately only lasted 10 seconds) by 20 centimeters wide, but nothing serious has happened. The first quake (the worst) was of the sixth Richter Scale degree. Fortunately, the following have been less violent. My University, 750 years old, has had several injuries, but nothing really serious. Unfortunately, many other ancient monuments in Ferrara have had major injuries. ... After the first shock, the first thing I did was run to my bookshelf hoping that my flint blades had not been damaged ... Thanks again, Vittorio May 31, 2012 Vittorio, I hope you have not been having too much “fun” the last couple of days with the aftershocks! Our thoughts are with you, my friend. Scott June 7, 2012 Thank you very much Scott, especially for companies in the most affected areas), but the “morale” of the people, who live in constant apprehension in tents fitted out. These days have been very busy, because I work with civil protection volunteer to help (I have a degree in physics) for the estimates of damage in homes not directly affected by the earthquake. Personally, I moved all my collections in “super protected” areas...! ciao e grazie, Vittorio p.s. I have read the last number of ACOTW on fluted point distribution, very, very beautiful. Just find a little balance (!) I’ll make technical questions about. June 7, 2012 Hi Vittorio, Good luck with your efforts in your homeland. We have heard about several of the quakes and aftershocks, but not the event in the Adriatic. Also, I am eager to see your questions and ideas about “balance” related to the fluted points distribution in North America. My opinions are just my opinions, from an interested, close observer, amateur archaeologist, artifact collector and experienced flint knapper, but not from a scientist. So, your thoughts will be most welcome, when you get a chance. I found it interesting that George Frison and Bruce Bradley also wondered my same basic question: “how did they find all the rare, out-of-the-way stone sources?” in their book about the Fenn Cache. That question I found as I was finishing my article and I included it on the page with the Buffalo photograph and the casts from the Fenn Cache. The earth continues to tremble, but are not too strong shock here, fortunately. Best to you and yours, The epicenters moved westward until Sunday, then yesterday, oddly enough, in the middle of the Adriatic Sea there was a strong shock that has alarmed the whole coast, little more than 80 km from my house. Fortunately, the hypocenter was very deep, 25 miles, and then the wave was dissipated very quickly. p.s. I will be using your story about “Otzi” and the arrowhead in the next issue of ACOTW. The real problem is not the damage (although there have been many, Volume IV, Number 6 Scott Publisher’s e-mail address: fscottcrawford@ arrowheadcollectingontheweb.com 16 eBay Seller ID: “tomho1248” from an old Danish collection. June 2012 ACOTW TM Old Stone Age Handaxe (Paleolithic), age 200,000+/- years. Arrowhead Collecting On The Web Artifact Authentication Services & Certificates Of Authenticity You can use a jeweler’s Lupe 8X magnifier, just to begin the high enlargement examination of an artifact, to look for edge wear and tool marks. Authentication and evaluation services for artifacts from all over the world are available from a number of highly respected sources. Some offer these services for regional items, since they specialize in Western, or South Western, or South Eastern, or North Central or North Eastern artifact types. And most of the authenticators have web sites. Read up on their services, learn about their specialties, obtain pricing and timing information, and determine how to send items for authentication and evaluation. Here are some well known and respected authenticators: Dwain Rogers Texas Flint Authentication 4102 Birch Avenue Temple, Texas 76502 Telephone: 1-254-791-5520 Jeff Baker Baker Authentication www.BakerCOA.com P.O. Box 772 Paragould, Arkansas 72451 Telephone: 1-870-239-9722 Volume IV, Number 6 Bill Jackson Jackson Galleries www.JacksonGalleries.com P.O. Box 1005 Mount Sterling , Kentucky 40353 Telephone: 1-800-466-3836 Fax: 1-859-499-0160 Tom Davis Davis Artifacts, Inc. www.TomDavisArtifacts.com P.O. Box 676 Stanton, Kentucky 40380 Telephone: 1-606-663-2741 Ben Stermer Western Typology www.WesternTypology.com 44207 W McClelland Dr. Maricopa, Arizona 85238 email: [email protected] Jeb Taylor Jeb Taylor Artifacts P.O. Box 882 Buffalo, Wyoming 82834 Telephone: 1-307-737-2347 Ken Partain www.kensrelics.com 7044 Market Street Dover, Arkansas 72837 Telephone: 1-479-331-3486 Sam Cox www.SamCoxArtifacts.com 968 Floyd Drive Lexington, Kentucky 40505 Telephone: 1-859-351-5675 17 http://www.Stormbroek.com A European artifact gallery, which offers quality antiquities from all historic eras, and all areas around the world. eBay Store: Stormbroek Scottsbluff Spear Point, late Paleo, early Archaic period, age 8,000 to 10,000 years. eBay store: SWArkArtifacts eBay ID: “razrbk” Dealer located in Arkansas, features authentic artifacts from the south/ central United States, many with Certificates of Authenticity. eBay Store: SWarkArtifacts June 2012 FIELD NOTES ~ For The Arrowhead Collector’s Recorded Discoveries F. Scott Crawford Use the publisher’s new book, which provides 88 pages for your sketches and notes, and gives you an excellent format for recording your own arrowhead collecting discoveries: “FIELD NOTES”. It is now available from the web site: www.Amazon.com ~ look under books, by the author, F. Scott Crawford, or the identifying number: ISBN-10: 1-46800-648-7 $11.95 (Soft Cover Book)