Michael Fuller

Tripoli (Cottonrock, Rottenrock) stone tools

Damaged (broken in prehistory so fully patinated) full grooved axe manufactured out of Tripoli found at a surface site in Shannon County, MO. 

Length =  124.11 mm, Width = 73.38 mm, Thickness = 56.00 mm, and Weight = 240 grams.


pXRF 155 and 158


Full grooved axe in situ during the 1960 era salvage archaeological excavation of the Rice Shelter (23SN2000 in Stone County, MO. Possibly Tripolitic chert - not yet confirmed. Archives pf the Museum of Anthropology at University of Missouri - Columbia.

Damaged (modern plow scar) full grooved axe manufactured out of Tripoli found at a surface site in Shannon County, MO. 

Length =  142.17 mm, Width = 79.10 mm, Thickness = 33.64 mm, and Weight = 282 grams.


pXRF 156 and 157

Full grooved axe manufactured out of Tripoli found at a surface site in Shannon County, MO. 

Length =  124.06 mm, Width = 70.97 mm, Thickness = 45.09 mm, and Weight = 239 grams.

pXRF 154 and 159

Tripoli is a very soft stone that was used to create full grooved axes and adzes that are occasionally found at archaeological sites in Missouri. A modern source of this stone is in Seneca, Missouri. The source and age of the artifacts manufactured out of Tripoli in Missouri is of ongoing interest.

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Full grooved axe manufactured out of Tripoli found at a surface site in Shannon County, MO. 

Length = 91.51 mm, Width = 67.40 mm, Thickness = 40.92 mm, and Weight = 153.6 grams

pXRF 153: Zinc = 0.06 ppm +/- 001, 

pXRF 160: Zinc = 0.006 % +/- 0.001, Iron  = 1.34% +/- 0.029, Manganese = 0.195% +/- 0.012, Aluminum/Silica = 98.279% +/- 0.27