Featured Large Flint arrowhead/spearhead

I have had this in my possession since 1976.
Dad bought it at a military/gun show for me.
He was told at the time that it was a ceremonial spearhead, of unknown origin. It is 6.5 inches long(16.5mm)
I've always wondered about it. I often thought it was a tourist or hobbyist piece.
I would love all your opinions on this item!
@Taupou @komokwa
@2manybooks

 

That looks HUGE!!!!

 

It's a handful. If it was sharper, I could carve a turkey with it.

 

Possibly Neolithic, but very difficult to date with certainty.

Large Neolithic flint spearhead - 12 cm - Catawiki

 

It would take-down my Mother-in-law! (just about)

 

Hmmmm...I never considered that it would be that old!
Very interesting.

 

Uh oh, sounds like M-I-L needs some disciplinary action

 

Actually, I don't have one. I've never been married, and so I've had a narrow escape!

 

It is very nice, stracci.

It probably isn't. Replicas of both 'Old World' Neolithic and pre-Columbian spearheads are still being made, especially in the US. Better wait for the people you tagged.

Here is a video on flintknapping:

 

Very true, and as I previously stated such items are very difficult to date with certainty. Its not like the age of the stone itself is anything to go by either.

 

I think you will need to find a real archeologist, familiar with the wide range of lithic types. He/she might be able to give you a type name (they have categorized just about every form), and tell you where they have been commonly found. They might also recognize particular characteristics of the flint. But without knowing the history of your individual piece, it may be difficult to tell if it is genuinely old or a more recent copy.

 

Not that there aren't plenty of perfect authentic examples out there but this one is so perfect, and so large that it would have me leaning towards replica more than real if I had to lean one way. Might be worth shooting off photos to some collectors/dealers in points that you can find online. People that look at these every day may notice something technique or material wise that the laymen wouldn’t notice. At the very least they could probably give you a good stab at era and location. It’s a looker either way.

Edit: 2manybooks basically said the same thing while I was day dreaming looking out the window instead of pushing “post reply“.

 

There are of course faithful copies of antiquities which are not made to dupe. Such items are not produced as fakes. Museum pieces for example will often not be the "real thing." The golden treasures on display at the Sutton Hoo museum, are a typical example of this, not to mention many of the so-called 'ancient roman marble sculptures' in the V&A are in fact cast-copies. Michelangelo's statue of David, to name but one. "Good" copies of ancient items have a value in their own right, just as print of a famous painting does, or fine replicas of Tut's golden mask!

 

...so be careful who you ask!

 

This guy has an amazing beard

 

It's a Neolithic replica beard )

 

Agreed.

 

It's lovely...but I can't add to further everything already said !

 

Thanks, all!
You guys are confirming what I always thought....that is most likely a modern replica. Even so, I love it and will put it back with the rest of my arrowhead collection.

 

If you knew what your father paid for it , that might be a clue. The real deal around in this neck of the woods where we find spear and arrow points in our farm fields, that would have sold for $200.-$300 dollars. Ancient man probably would not have a spear head for ceremonial reasons. My guess is that would have happened in much more modern times when they had the luxury of leisure time.