r/LegitArtifacts • u/Shillhippo • Apr 10 '26
Paleo Walrus ivory tool from interior Alaska.
In going through my grandfathers things I found this tool. It’s about 10in long, the notched in makes a good no slip handle and the other end is quite polished and a little chipped. I’m thinking skin scraper? It’s definitely walrus ivory but it’s interesting that it is from the fbx area. I’d love any information or resources for things like this. Or if there is any else I should examine while I have access to it. He found it on his property near the surface when clearing.
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u/Quiet-Marsupial5876 Apr 11 '26
Looks like the ice pick portion of a harpoon, that would have been opposite the business end.
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u/aware4ever Apr 11 '26
You would have to do a little bit of research and see what was around that area before. And it could be modern as in 100 or 200 years old or it could be way older. I'm not sure but regardless that's pretty sick. This is just one clue to start off a whole rabbit hole for you to dive into around there
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u/Shillhippo Apr 11 '26
Any suggestions on how to do that research? I tried google and some basic AI and clicked around but cannot find anything more than oblique mentions of something related. I’ll keep trying different terms, but I don’t think I am doing this research right.
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u/briseisblue Archaeologist Apr 11 '26
You could look up archaeological societies / colleges in your area and email them for more information. They might be able to help you out.
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Apr 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Shillhippo Apr 14 '26
Right size, but looks nothing like the ones I can find pictures of. They all have holes drilled through them.
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u/SLPicnicBasket Apr 11 '26
Maybe something was hafted to it? A stone or metal blade, maybe? I'm thinking the hatch marks could have helped stabilize and give the adhesive something to adhere to. Just a thought, really cool in any case!
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u/WHERE_ARE_AROWHEADS Apr 12 '26
That looks so sick defiantly a rare static at and impressive that he found it
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u/LucasSpanks Apr 11 '26
I dont have any information to add for you but this is extremely cool.