Chisels

Chisels are of necessity made of very hard stone that must endure hammering with a bone, antler, or wooden billet.  The example illustrated above measures nearly 7 inches in length.  These chisels are often recovered from steatite procurement sites like soapstone ridge located along Atlanta’s southeastern side (below) where bowls were being cut from large outcroppings then hollowed out with chisels. Chisel lines are often visible along the interior of these vessels. Broken bit ends may be all that remain in the quarry site. When recovered unbroken, there will be evidence of hammering on the poll end opposite the bit of the chisel.