Debitage? Also is it Chert or Flint?

[JeffDNH]

I have three pictures of a piece of what I think is debitage made out of either chert or flint. I found this in a lake shore, in about 4 to 5 inches of water. It stood out from all the other rocks on the bottom. I also observed at the base of this piece what looks like to be signs of being worked on. The lake from which it came had a long history of native americans who fished there for alewives and camped out as well. Any input as to what it could be would be appreciated!

Thanks,
JeffDNH

[neralich]

Looks like it may be a small peice of raw chert/flint,,,As for debitage,, I guess it could be, but I doubt it. Good eye and keep lookin'

Jason

[JeffDNH]

Thanks Neralich, now I know what chert/flint looks like! Interestingingly enough that lake and surrounding area was sold to the English by the Sachem Custamache for 6 pounds and a wool coat, and they were allowed to fish for alewives in the brook that exited out of the lake and emptied into the Merrimack using their fish weirs, as long as they didnt steal any of the English corn and fruit. Talk about a real estate deal!

[neralich]

Very interesting! You sound well versed on the history of the area,,goodluck and don't rule out using a metal detector in the vacinity if you have the oppurtunity or access to one!

Goodluck!

[zachMA]

It's tough to tell, it looks like it could be some sort of rhyolite/felsite. If it's chert or flint, it's definitely debitage since it doesn't occur anywhere near us. Does any light pass through the edges?

[JeffDNH]

Hi Zach, I looked at the piece again and no light passes through the edges.

[zachMA]

On second thought that question (of mine) was irrelevant anyway, since i haven't really seen any translucent material from here. But I think it's a piece of felsite, which does occur naturally here and was used for tools quite a bit. Even if it isn't debitage, good eye.

[drdave514]

If the backside is flat it would help to see a picture of that. Many will have a bulb of percussion that really indicates it was purposely flaked off, though not 100%.

[ghost recon]

Looks like felsite or rhyolite imo. I agree with Zach.

[MikeE]

Ryolite in the NE tends to patinate white-ish and has spots(small dark crystals) I see the smoothing from the water on your objects but I dont see the characteristics of ryolite debitage. You might have a tool there but it hard to tell for sure from the picture. Your body of water might have a dam or flow control that raised the levels of the lake from pre-historic levels, most do, and if this is the case find out how high it has been raised. Then you have to have a dry year to find the old shore-line. after 40 yrs of looking, I seldom find anything on the surface. Most are trapped in recent soils and have to be dug or eroded out. Most lake habitations in New England are found at the outlet!! good luck
Mike