We want to compare these Bi-point artifacts that do appear in Los Patios (Colombia), and may be from Paleoindian times, to similar artifacts from elsewhere.
Here is another example of the Bi-point artifact (made of black chert)
Here is another example of the Bi-point artifact (made of black chert)
I'm a lithic analyst working in southern California and I have seen thick, irregular artifacts like these used as drills to make shell fishhooks, though mine are smaller than the artifacts you show. Ancient Californians would sometimes use biface margin removals in this way because they are generally bipointed and have a couple of edges that are squared and durable for working resilient materials such as shell. Most of fishhook drills I have seen do not look like "tools" in the classic sense so they are probably overlooked sometimes. I would suggest use wear analysis to determine the function of your artifacts. Shell polish on drills tends to develop relatively quickly and is very distinctive. Hope this is useful.
They look like flake tool cores to me, though it is hard to tell if there is any use damage on the ends.
Thanks for the comment! There is very little evidence of some use damage on the ends and in edges on the side.
The one with the light streak through it. The dulling of the edges of the flat area definitely appear to be platform preparation. As for the ends, if there is a little damage then they could have been used for pecking or grubbing, or remotely as an ad-lib billet. Hard to analyze without close inspection.
I am asking a friend who is an expert in Paleoindian tools and debitage to join this discussion.
Victor,
I asked the friend, who said there was not enough information to form a conclusive opinion.
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