tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273973168996380531.post6177504386026454785..comments2024-03-17T05:19:52.307-04:00Comments on This Week In Pennsylvania Archaeology: ? ? ? WHAT IS IT ? ? ? ?PA Archaeologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04204159849822259411noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273973168996380531.post-13696988737935116762012-11-08T15:40:21.683-05:002012-11-08T15:40:21.683-05:00While some of these artifacts may be historic scyt...While some of these artifacts may be historic scythe-sharpeners, many are definitively ancient having been found in prehistoric graves. See<br />Halsey, John R. 1984 The Ceremonial Pick: A Consideration of Its Place in Eastern Woodlands Prehistory. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology 9(1):43-62.John R. Halseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273973168996380531.post-10217709287390417392010-02-22T11:05:04.934-05:002010-02-22T11:05:04.934-05:00This " pick " is not an Indian artifact....This " pick " is not an Indian artifact. Many collectors, and ebayers are selling these things as ceremonial picks. They are antiques. What they are? They're scythe sharpening stones made from compressed graphite.A scythe is an implement which was used to cut wheat and other crops. They have a long steel blade attached to a long curved handle. The stone should have a small hole in one end. This is to attach a metal ring in order to hang the stone in a shed or on a wall. The Amish people still use them today to sharpen their steel cutting implements. I GUARANTEE, these are not Indian related. PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com