Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 166:
5 1/2" Etley Knife found in Monroe County, Missouri by Brian Evans
This large Etley knife measures approximately 5 1/2 inches and is crafted from a colorful high quality Burlington chert. The surface shows a naturally developed earth grown patination, including mineral deposits in recessed flake scars, soft surface toning, and gentle smoothing consistent with long term burial. The material’s natural color variation is enhanced by this patination, giving the piece a rich well aged archaeological appearance. The surface is original and unaltered, with no signs of modern cleaning or enhancement.
The workmanship is strong and characteristic of the Etley type. Both faces exhibit broad well controlled percussion thinning, producing long sweeping flake scars across the blade. The edges show careful pressure retouch, and the overall outline is symmetrical and well balanced. The blade expands gracefully toward the tip, and the base is properly shaped and thinned in classic Etley fashion. The size, form, and workmanship align closely with documented Late Archaic examples from Missouri and the surrounding Midwest.
Condition is excellent for an artifact of this size and age. The blade edges show genuine prehistoric retouch, the tip remains intact with only minor ancient use wear, and the base is complete and original. The patination is consistent across all surfaces, with no evidence of modern resharpening, restoration, or alteration.
This artifact was recovered in Monroe County, Missouri, an area well known for its Late Archaic lithic traditions. The named finder, Brian Evans, provides solid and verifiable provenance, making this a desirable and well documented example for collectors.
Authentication: This artifact is an authentic Late Archaic Etley knife, exhibiting all diagnostic traits of the type, including its expanding blade, broad percussion thinning, and well defined base. The colorful Burlington chert shows proper ancient patination with mineralized surface texture, soil sheen, and natural smoothing consistent with long term burial. Edge wear is uniform and prehistoric, with no signs of modern reworking or enhancement. Based on its form, workmanship, patination, and documented Monroe County provenance, this is a high quality unquestionably authentic Etley and an excellent example of the type.
Condition: Authentic
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