Isn't it funny...I have run many hundreds of tests for owners of self
and family found collections. Sometimes the dating doesn't match
the finder's pre-conceptions, but the authenticity of each scanned
artifact was never called in doubt. I have run as many or more
pieces bought from the Internet, the "Finder", the "old collection",
and of course, Granddad's famous and inexhaustible sock drawer.
Somehow many of these pieces keep scanning as fakes. Those who
don't believe the hi-tech approach to authentication works should
definitely spend some time trying to explain this to me.
Let me tell you a true story. I won't name names, just to avoid
embarrassing the parties involved. It involves a multi- day project to
catalogue a large self found collection, the ultimate goal being to
rearrange the frames according to their laser dates. The
owner/finder assisted me, and we had a really good time. We ran
hundreds of scans, and while no incredible new insights were
gained a solid foundation of information was built up. The client
handed me a point, one of hundreds. I scanned it, as I had all the
others. Boom, dead, flatline! I did a double take, and scanned it
again. Same. I turned to my client, and exclaimed, "This %*#@!
thing is a fake!" No tact there, but I was so surprised. The poor
guy's face fell. "My wife bought that one for me for my birthday. She
got it from a well known dealer." Do you think I wasted a lot of time
wondering why that point scanned bad, and the one's he found
scanned good?
So when guy's with a lot of money at stake start hollering "Bad
Science/ Snake Oil/ Fraud!" at me, I'm not surprised. Or concerned.
I don't work for them; I work for the clients who pay for my services.
My clients (Bosses) are a very diverse lot of people. They include
collectors and avocational archaeologists of all ages and from all
parts of the US. Many are retired professionals with experience in
the sciences or experience with other forms of instrumentation. All
are united by a commitment to the truth. They know how seriously I
take their trust, and the amount of effort I put forth on their behalf.
They are in general a skeptical lot, and I am certainly proud of their
confidence. This is what I focus on, and it leaves me no time to
worry about those Luddite's throwing stones.
and family found collections. Sometimes the dating doesn't match
the finder's pre-conceptions, but the authenticity of each scanned
artifact was never called in doubt. I have run as many or more
pieces bought from the Internet, the "Finder", the "old collection",
and of course, Granddad's famous and inexhaustible sock drawer.
Somehow many of these pieces keep scanning as fakes. Those who
don't believe the hi-tech approach to authentication works should
definitely spend some time trying to explain this to me.
Let me tell you a true story. I won't name names, just to avoid
embarrassing the parties involved. It involves a multi- day project to
catalogue a large self found collection, the ultimate goal being to
rearrange the frames according to their laser dates. The
owner/finder assisted me, and we had a really good time. We ran
hundreds of scans, and while no incredible new insights were
gained a solid foundation of information was built up. The client
handed me a point, one of hundreds. I scanned it, as I had all the
others. Boom, dead, flatline! I did a double take, and scanned it
again. Same. I turned to my client, and exclaimed, "This %*#@!
thing is a fake!" No tact there, but I was so surprised. The poor
guy's face fell. "My wife bought that one for me for my birthday. She
got it from a well known dealer." Do you think I wasted a lot of time
wondering why that point scanned bad, and the one's he found
scanned good?
So when guy's with a lot of money at stake start hollering "Bad
Science/ Snake Oil/ Fraud!" at me, I'm not surprised. Or concerned.
I don't work for them; I work for the clients who pay for my services.
My clients (Bosses) are a very diverse lot of people. They include
collectors and avocational archaeologists of all ages and from all
parts of the US. Many are retired professionals with experience in
the sciences or experience with other forms of instrumentation. All
are united by a commitment to the truth. They know how seriously I
take their trust, and the amount of effort I put forth on their behalf.
They are in general a skeptical lot, and I am certainly proud of their
confidence. This is what I focus on, and it leaves me no time to
worry about those Luddite's throwing stones.
| A Funny Observation About IR Laser Scans By Bill Breckinridge |
These points average 8" or 9", all made from the same Edwards
Chert. "Ghosts" like this are common Flea Market, Gun Show,
and Antique Store finds. Many of their owners earnestly believe
in the authenticity of these slabbed out monstrosities.
Chert. "Ghosts" like this are common Flea Market, Gun Show,
and Antique Store finds. Many of their owners earnestly believe
in the authenticity of these slabbed out monstrosities.
