Arrowheads and stone tools weren’t just tools—they were often traded like money. Tribes valued them for their usefulness and skillful craftsmanship, making them a form of early currency in Native American trade long before coins came along.

Offered is an impressive 9½-inch prehistoric flint blade or large bifacial blank reportedly found in Illinois.

This substantial artifact displays extensive flake removal across both faces and exhibits the broad, thinning characteristics commonly associated with oversized blade forms, quarry blanks, preforms, or unfinished bifacial tools. Measuring approximately 9.5 inches in length, it stands well above the size of most commonly encountered Midwestern stone tools.

Artifact Details

• Type: Large Flint Blade / Biface / Preform
• Length: Approximately 9.5 inches
• Provenance: Reportedly found in Illinois
• Material: Flint / Chert
• Condition: Ancient surface wear and patina consistent with age
• Display Quality: Excellent

The artifact exhibits numerous percussion flake scars and broad reduction surfaces, suggesting significant workmanship during manufacture. While not displaying the refined symmetry of a finished ceremonial blade, it represents a substantial piece of prehistoric lithic technology and would make an impressive display specimen.

Large Midwestern bifaces of this size are increasingly difficult to locate and remain highly sought after by collectors due to their visual impact and rarity compared to smaller field-found points and tools.

Perfect for:

• Native American artifact collections
• Illinois archaeology collections
• Flint knapping enthusiasts
• Primitive technology displays
• Educational exhibits

Condition

• Large intact example
• No obvious modern restoration visible
• Edge wear and ancient damage present
• Strong display appeal
• Natural field-found appearance