Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 1:
Outstanding Pelican Lake / Stealth Point – 1 7/8", Adair County
This 1 7/8 inch Pelican Lake Stealth Style Corner Notched Point dates to the Late Archaic to Early Woodland period and is expertly crafted from heat treated Burlington chert typical of northeast Missouri. The piece displays the classic narrow straight sided blade and well cut corner notches associated with Pelican Lake tradition points producing sharp defined barbs and a slightly expanding stem. Both faces exhibit fine controlled pressure flaking creating a thin symmetrical profile with crisp refined edges that highlight the high level of workmanship.
The corner notches are proportionally deep for a point of this size a trait typical of high grade Pelican Lake or Stealth examples from the region. The base is straight with a subtle convexity and the overall outline is exceptionally clean and balanced. Heat treatment has brought out a warm glossy finish in the Burlington chert enhancing the visibility of the flake scars and revealing natural color variation from long term burial. Edge smoothing and micro rounding are present along the blade margins consistent with genuine prehistoric use.
This specimen was found in Adair County Missouri an area well known for producing high quality Pelican Lake and Stealth style points and comes from the respected Steve McCabe and John Bender collections both known for their long standing focus on northern Missouri material. The workmanship material and regional context align perfectly with known Pelican Lake influenced forms from the upper Mississippi and lower Missouri River drainages.
This artifact is an authentic Pelican Lake Stealth Style Corner Notched Point dating to the Late Archaic to Early Woodland period and exhibits all diagnostic traits of the type including a narrow straight blade well defined corner notches subtle barbs a slightly expanding stem and a thin expertly pressure flaked cross section. The heat treated Burlington chert shows proper ancient patination with softened flake scars mineralized color variation and edge micro rounding consistent with long term burial and prehistoric use.
Based on its form workmanship patination and documented Adair County provenance this is a strong unquestionably authentic example of a Pelican Lake or Stealth style point and an exceptional specimen for its size and type.
Condition: Authentic
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