This cast of a Hardin Knife was molded from the authentic original in 2020. The Hardin was typed in 1951 by Edward Scully, from examples found in Hardin County, Ill. They are found mostly in the regions of Illinois and Missouri, but also in AK, OK, and IN. This example was found in Cole County, MO, and is large for the type, at 5 and 1/8ths inches long. Most authors have agreed that Hardins have enough elements in common with older Scottsbluff types that they must be related somehow. Both types have expanding bases, but Hardins show larger flake scars that often go past center, while Scottsbluffs often show more parallel regular pressure flake scars to finish. The closeness indicates that dates could possible go back over 9,000 BP if related to Scottsbluff, and starting around 5,000 BP as a classic Early Archaic point style. Usewear studies show these to mostly be knives, and not points, and they are often made of white Burlington or Crescent cherts. This one looked to be made of Avon chert. It shows slight resharpening on top edges and slightly less pronounced barbs, fitting this into the Hardin Knife variety instead of the class Hardin Barbed type with sharper shoulders.   (Cast copyright Occpaleo 2020)