Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 167:
2 5/8" Snyders found in Monroe County, Missouri
This well made Snyders point measures approximately 2 1/2 inches and is crafted from a colorful fossil rich Burlington chert. The material contains numerous small embedded fossils, an uncommon and visually striking trait that would have made this piece challenging to knap. Despite the difficult material, the maker achieved a clean well balanced form with strong Middle Woodland characteristics. 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 workmanship is solid and typical of the Snyders type. Both faces exhibit broad controlled percussion thinning, producing well defined flake scars across the blade. The shoulders are clearly expressed, the blade edges show careful pressure retouch, and the base is properly shaped and thinned in classic Snyders fashion. The overall outline is symmetrical and aligns closely with documented Middle Woodland examples from Illinois and Missouri.
Condition is excellent. 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 enhancement. The fossil inclusions remain visible and add significant character to the piece.
This artifact was recovered in Monroe County, Missouri, an area well known for its Middle Woodland 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 Middle Woodland Snyders point, exhibiting all diagnostic traits of the type, including its broad blade, defined shoulders, and properly thinned base. The fossil rich Burlington chert shows proper ancient patination with mineralized surface texture 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 Snyders and an excellent example of the type.
Condition: Authentic
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