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Central Texas Flute Well, I messed around some last night. I didn't have the mindset necessary to do all the measuring necessary to make a replica of the "flute" you have there, so I just made something similar in the hope of getting something play. I will post photos later today. I basically made a 5" long cane flute in the same general configuration as yours. It has a solid node at the distal end, with a small hole drilled in it. For a mouthpiece/sound hole, I made it in a quena style (I'm guessing that if yours is a flute, that "V" shaped open end was likely the mouthpiece/sound making device). With no tone holes, it played a nice, clear, crisp high sound. Starting at the distal end, I made a series of 5 tone holes in a roughly pentatonic tuning. All work very well, except the one closest to the mouthpiece. When that hole is uncovered, it is near impossible to make a sound - just the rushing of air. This may be where the little holes come in, but it doesn't make sense to me that they would effect anything (although I just had a thought in that regard...what if you play the 5th/upper note by keeping your fingers on the 3 other tone holes, and simultaneously letting off of the little hole(s)??? I will test further tonight and post photos. I'll also work towards making more of a replica of your item. So far, I've managed to come up with a nice little "flute" that can be hung around the neck for decoration, and played with a nice sound. Tom

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Central Texas Flute Excellent news, Tom!! I appreciate your adventurous attitude, and, apparently, it paid off! Looks like these little flutes have been a lost art for some time. Interesting about the closest tone hole. You may be right: To play the closest tone hole, the three smaller holes may be necessary. One way to find out, ey? So would you say the little hole in the distal end is the sound device to which Lenny referred? While you continue tweaking the design, I need to get busy finding someone to date this little sucker. Maybe between the two of use we could publish a little something…

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Charlie, Your images 6 and 7 of the "Cementations (Bed Ice) from Unit Lima" (posted April 5) look interesting. Are the coarse gravelly "lumps" part of an underlying layer or are they actually previously-cemented fragments of a coarser, older gravel incorporated in a younger gravel (still older than your gravel with in situ artifacts)? Virginia

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Afternoon, Virginia. Some dislodged boulders of the cemented gravel cobbles were discovered on top of the gravel cap when I first discovered the site: I assume these were eroded off the bedrock, upstream, and deposited on top of the gravel cap during heavy rain events. I've found no loose boulders or cobbles of the cemented gravels within secure strata, which I've tentatively defined as gravel in a hard matrix of silt, clay and limestone sand. I think the cementations, which are adhered to the bedrock, once underlay the gravel cap that contains the artifacts that are being recovered. Some of the cementations still have gravel, in matrix, covering them (or at least in close proximity): http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site18.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site19.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site20.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site21.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site22.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/site25.jpg Whereas others are completely exposed, because the previously existing gravel cap, overlaying the cementations, has been swept downstream: It appears these cementations were formed prior to, or in the early stages of the gravel deposition, unless carbonate concentrated at the bottom of the already deposited gravel cap, and created cementations only at the bottom of the cap. I've found what might be artifacts within the cementations: http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw201.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw202.jpg http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw203.jpg I'm going to have to find better specimens to make a solid argument for artifacts existing in this particular stratum. It would be ideal to find a "no-brainer" artifact in the cementations, still attached to the bedrock. I'm looking. :D What's your take on the cementations? Respectfully, Charlie Charlie Hatchett Charlie@preclovis.com www.preclovis.com http://forum.pre