Calico Early Man Site, Mannix Basin, Yermo, California / k)bison47comp
"Crescentic chopper of chalcedonic jasper from a depth of 6.83 m in Master Pit II. Centimeter scale. Face flaking is partial on one side, general on other, with classic flake scars visible; a blunted back edge. All cortex removed. The lunate working edge is battered while side flake scars and arêtes are pristine, indicating use-wear rather than natural attrition during transport. A definitive chopper subtype in Asia, known as a 'skreblo' [=scraper]" [Fred E. Budinger Jr., Calico Project Director, Calico Early Man Site, www.calicodig.org]. For more images of same artifact see previous and next images.
Palaeoart Interpretation (James Harrod): Based on the images of this object, I tentatively suggest it is a decorated scraper, with zoomorphic shape; figuration resembles a 'bison', an image of a bison placed below for sake of comparison. The piece has a section of remaining cortex that is remarkably analogous to the molt pattern on the bison. Note the image appears to show fine tiny flake removals at area of 'bison's eye'. Also note natural or intentionally flaked 'hump' of 'spine at shoulders' that almost preciesly matches that of actual bison.
Photo © D. Griffin [Calico Early Man Site, www.calicodig.org]. Bison image, with permission, © Chitta Baral, www.public.asu.edu/~cbaral/yellowstone-2005//bison-on-road_0882.JPG].
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