Sale Highlight! very large 12 3/8" long Tube Pipe made from mica schist found in Lancaster Kentucky.

Sale Highlight! very large 12 3/8" long Tube Pipe made from mica schist found in Lancaster Kentucky. during the drilling process a Flint drill broke off inside this pipe and remains where it broke in ancient times. Pictured in WW #3 Page 40 - Being held in hand by Howard Bell in the photo.Story written by Jim Bennett on this pipe:The old-time collection of Howard Bell is a well know assemblage of ancient artifacts. Pictured in various publications (including Who's Who #3) and having been disbursed long ago Ex. Bell artifacts show up from time-to-time at shows and auctions and are highly collectible.Recently while picking up a selection of relics from the late Dr. Jim Mills collection we at Premiere Auctions were excited to receive the consignment of Howard Bells most beloved relic – the 12”+ Tube Pipe found in Lancaster Kentucky shown here.While the size and material alone (having been made from Mica Schist) makes this an intriguing artifact for most any collector the true intrigue of this piece resides deep inside the relic itself.Serving as the best example I have yet seen of ancient pipe drilling technology when light is directed down the center perforation you can see where two smaller holes were first made utilizing a flint drill. When one looks closer the remnant section of a broken drill can be seen lodged in one of the holes where it broke off thousands of years ago.When studying the exterior of this pipe it is apparent there is a section of the pipe that broke off at the wider end. This broken area is weathered and patinated indicating the break occurred in ancient times. When looking closer at the area a scribe mark can be seen directly below the damage area indicating the ancient crafter considered reducing the overall length to remove the damaged area but in the end abandoned the project leaving the pipe nearly completed.When combining the evidence of the broken drill inside the pipe with the damage to the exterior wall at the end of the pipe it leaves me pondering if both occurrences happened at the same time as a result of some sudden misfortune. Possibly as he was drilling the second hole the pipe was dropped breaking the drill and the outer wall at the same time. After briefly considering a salvage attempt to shorten the length and try to remove the drill section in order to continue he just shook his head worried the pipe held bad spirits and decided it was best to just start over with a rock that held more positive vibes. :- )