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Dan began flintknapping in the early 1990's when he met Virgil Tonn at an artifact show in Texas. But he says the person who was most helpful was Gene Stapleton. Gene is a long time knapper who specializes in flake-over-grinding technology. Dan says Gene is the one person who set him on a path that eventually developed into his current flintknapping skills. |
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Dan Theus's signature points are Clovis and Cumberland points. These are the ones he likes to make the most. He can be seen making them at several of the knap-ins around the country. He likes to attend the larger events like Flint Ridge, New York, Maxdale and several others. |
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Dan's points stand out, especially his Clovis points. They are very uniformly and thinly flaked and are made from some of the most beautiful and expensive stone. The materials illustrated in this article include fulgurite (lightening struck sand), red Carnelian agate, agatized coral, hornstone, Pedernales chert, Horse Creek chert, purple amethyst sage agate, Flintridge, petrified wood, Alabates, and a fancy & rare type of glass. |
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Dan Theus is also known for his ability to make some of the largest and most skillfully made Cumberland points. An example illustrated in this article measures 9 3/4 inches long and it's fluted to the tip on both sides. The preform measured 11 1/2 inches (29.2 cm) before it was fluted. He uses a mechanical fulcrum jig to pressure off the flutes. Dan can also make many other of the more difficult to copy ancient stone artifacts such as Danish daggers with stitched handles and large Mayan eccentrics with the large central holes. He is also the first person that started making the large style "spiky" Pine Tree points. |
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Dan Theus's flintknapping skill and his choice of beautiful stone is a combination that can't be beat. He is producing some of the finest modern lithic art pieces that has been seen in recent years. His finely crafted work will undoubtedly continue to turn up in quality collections and museum displays. |
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"REFERENCES"
2003,
Chips staff, "Chips,"
vol. 15, # 1, p. 6. |
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