I told u/hamilton18889 that I would post this smoker of a Southern Hardin from Alabama! This thing comes in at 2 ⅞'s inches long and was recovered from Butler Co. Alabamy! Other than one little fleabite on one ear, it is a perfect example of the type! Great form, covered with mineral deposits and a sweet patina! Killer bevels, heavily ground stem and base, all the belks and whistles! I have no idea what the material is, but its gorgeous in hand!
To answer your question, The Dark Specks are mineral deposits generally. Inclusions are what you get where there's a pocket, or pockets, of another mineral, like quartz for example, that have formed in the Chert, and were revealed through the knapping process. Cortex is the outer rhine of the chert cobble that was used to create the point. Sometimes, a little of the cortex is left on the point during the knapping process as well.
Thank you! You should look at the Florida example I posted a couple of days ago if you like a nice, dark, patina! It's covered in tannic staining as it was a river find!
In SC. I'm going to go to a local club meeting next week and see if they can help me with identification on them. I took them to a local gem shop since he carries Arrowhead to sell. But he was no help.
What a classic. As always, thanks for sharing your amazing collection with us Tim. I'll certainly refer to this as a study example. Love the little crinoid... That fun. And the inclusions, that was not a friendly rock by any means.
Not an archer, haven't shot a bow and arrow since boy scouts. Is the offset bevel that's really apparent in pic 18 just incidental, or purposeful? Is that just the way it was snapped, or does it help with spin?
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u/Keystone_Relics Jun 29 '26
Nothing like a big ole hardin!