Arkfeld site abraded and incised stone
Radial incisions flare from the rounded aspect of the abraded surface
Approx. 8cm length
Sample of some tools from the context of the incised stone
In a great disservice to North American Archaeology, the Smithsonian Institution visited the Arkfeld site and dismissed the entirety as "just rocks." Without an understanding of world Paleolithic art traditions such as radial lines and iterative stroke marks, they are not able to recognize the significance of just this one object at Arkfeld. Even "the best" of North American archaeology is not able to recognize non-cryptocrystalline and crude/opportunistic tool signatures which may the best indicators of pre-Clovis peoples.
Art, symbol and iconography are inconceivable to those currently entrusted with United States official archaeology and the study of human origins and migrations.
Art, symbol and iconography are inconceivable to those currently entrusted with United States official archaeology and the study of human origins and migrations.
To dismiss the Arkfeld carved gomphothere tusk horse image as "created by stream damage" ignores world precedent for similarly carved ivory objects. It is one of the most significant prehistoric art objects found in North America and it deserves scientific examination by a qualified team who won't dismiss it until it is properly studied and scrutinized.