Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/19/2012

Question
QUESTION: I found this on a beach on Lake Ontario (in Rochester, NY). It looks just like a picture I found on this page:
http://www.kwic.com/~pagodavista/schoolhouse/rec/palaeo.htm
where they call it an Early Palaeo-Indian Concave Side Scraper

Do you think that's what I have here? There's one end that's stained darker, which could be blood (I imagine!) Is there any way for me to test it at home OR do you think a scientist would be interested in the DNA that it could provide?

Also, how old might it be and what kind of stone, if you can tell, thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Sara,

The simple answer is no.  Sorry.  The artifacts made by Paleo Indians were made of Chert or Flint which are silica based stones and these are very finely crafted with small flakes taken out in precise order.  

The artifact you have is made of sand stone and while it does appear to have flakes knocked out of it, this may have been intentional or by accident.  Sand stone fractures easily  so this could have been made accidentally.  The dark stain may have been caused  by being in proximity to a fire at some point in time.  Blood would not survive 12,000 years.    Also during the Paleo period, Lake Ontario would still have been covered by a lot of ice.

If it was used as an artifact, then it would be less then 1000 years old.  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Ralph. That was the reason for my doubt as well, the composition of the stone. I have (what I think is) an arrowhead, found on the same beach, that has a smoother and slightly glossy surface, not all grainy like this one. Very interesting and i appreciate your time. (I just attached a pict of that arrowhead, if you could tell me anything about that)
Thanks Ralph!

Answer
Hi Sara,

The material that this one is made of looks like it could be the right kind of material.  With arrowheads (points) there is usually very fine flint knapping and shaping of the stone to make the tool.  In this case however, it is roughly the right shape but it lacks the fine tool work to make it an arrowhead. It does appear to be a large flake which was man made and if there is wear on the edges, it may have been used as a knife for cutting meat or hides or other purposes.  One way to tell is if the edges are glossy which could indicated wear from use.  If you take a look at the website you indicated in your original email, the drawings show scallops and flaking that is indicative of the fine tool work used to make these tools.  I'd say keep this one.