Artifacts
Made
Of Clear Probably the most exotic raw material used by Stone Age cultures in North America was optically clear Quartz Crystal. The Late Stone Age Caddoan culture in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma were known to have made some arrow points from Quartz Crystal and there reportedly have been found crystals placed in the hands of the dead of these people. The Middle Woodland Hopewell culture of 2,000 to 1,600 years ago were also known to have used Quartz Crystal in Ritual objects that have been associated with burial mounds and caches. Some of the larger artifacts made from this material come from this time period. The Clovis culture of 13 or 14 thousand years ago also used clear Quartz. Although rare, examples of tools and fluted spear points made of crystal have been discovered on sites across the United States. |
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Hopewell
Point This point was found by a farmer in a cache of Hopewell artifacts in Indiana. It was made from a very clear Quartz Crystal that probably originated from the Arkansas area. The curved blade edge and exotic material are traits seen on other ritual objects connected to the Hopewell culture. Obsidian and a rare variety of deep blue green Flint Ridge chert was also found with this artifact. |
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Clovis
Point These Quartz Crystal Clovis points are two of three found with the Fenn cache. This cache contains a total of 56 Clovis artifacts that included several completed spear points plus unfinished points in all stages of manufacture. This picture is a double exposure showing two views of one if the crystal Clovis points. This example and the other two Clovis points are made of a fairly clear Smoky Quartz Crystal. |
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Clovis
Point This is another of the three beautiful Smoky Quartz Crystal Clovis points discovered in the Fenn cache. Quartz Crystal does not fracture the same as chert or chalcedony. It's more difficult to flake in a controlled way but a skilled flintknapper can accomplish the desired results if he chooses to use this material. |
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Fluted
Point This small Quartz Crystal Paleo point was found on the surface of a cultivated field in the state of Maine. It may have actually been longer and resharpened. There is a flake missing near the point that indicates a possible impact fracture. This point measures 1 5/8 inches long and was made from a very clear crystal. |