Cowhouse Slough

[Hernandoman]

This one was found by a backhoe operator. Classic example of the type.

[John Richburg]

What distinguishes a Cowhouse slough from a preform?

[Bobby Gilbert]

I would like to know the answer to that question.

[Hernandoman]

Preforms are usually thicker for one thing. Cowhouse Sloughs generally have the thick paleo patina and at least one predominant basal thinning strike. The basal edge is usually incurvative versus excurvate. These are commonly thought to be a paleo knife form and a finished implement, versus a preform that awaited notching, etc...

[Hernandoman]

heres a couple more pics of the Cowhouse. I think you can tell more about it with these. The more I look at it, that first picture does it no justice.

[Alaskan_Lithics]

Seems to be a very rare type. Here is the one I have

[jcinpc]

man, I hate to say it but to me, those both look like preforms. THe ones I have seen and the 2 I have from cowhouse slough are smaller blades

[Alaskan_Lithics]

It could very well be. If it is a preform, then of what? I was under the impression that Cow Houses were fairly large

[Hernandoman]

Jeff, give us your definition of what a Cowhouse really is.

[jroseman]

With the possible exception of the center one in the upper row, I think all of these are cowhouse sloughs. They have an incurvate basally ground base, have paleo flaking with secondary flaking and generally two large thinning flakes up from the base which is usually flat.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/jroseman/cowhouse.jpg

[jcinpc]

yeah, what he said:) This has got me thinking about those a little more. "product of your environment" comes to mind. Seeing ones from Hillsborough county just has me stuck on the over all look of it. I have found big blades like the ones posted but always thought them to be preforms or blades. I always thought cowhouses to be a nice, finished looking point, straight based or concave. I have seen one or 2 finely made that would look like an unfluted clovis, but thats a whole different can of worms there. Lets keep this discussion open and see if we can get more points to ponder.

[mtskinner]

Here's one from my uncles collection. Notice the two thinning strike on the base.

[lafuzz]

All of the CHS points I have examined have the double thinning strike to one side of the base. Pretty interesting.

[serpio1]

Very Nice!!!!....Classic!!!

[Hernandoman]

I will post some pics of some real preforms for those that dont seem to know the difference in the next day or so.

I have handled my share and probably someone elses too, and I have examined this point in hand, not from a photo, and I am sure it is not what I would call a preform. The base is incurvative and has basal thinning strikes on the base on both faces. It is a finished implement, IMHO.

We never got a response from the "preform" school, on the question - Preform for what?

What/how do you think the Cowhouse was utilized?

[PowerG]

My take on this is that no piece of material of the size of most of these posted on this thread would be really a "finished" piece. These pieces go through a life cycle from transport stage biface to discard or loss and will be whittled into whatever shape is needed at the time, with care taken to preserve the material whenever possible. Just because a piece is retouched doesn't mean it's in its ultimate form-it likely means it was being used for a purpose and got dull, and was rejuvenated. So that would probably put a Cowhouse Slough as a formalized tool form that is more a stage in the life of the biface than an end result.

[Hernandoman]

Maybe better wording on my part regarding "finished product" would be fully functional implement, not awaiting finishing touches. Sure it would progress in stages of exhaustion with use, but not made as a preform for some other "finished" type.

[serpio1]

True that!

[Hernandoman]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate the purchase and I hope to be posting lots more inventory today.

[serpio1]

Sweet!!!