Ancient bead?

[OneSexyWookie]

I found this about 10 years ago or so (I would have been about 13) at the site of my grandfather's church building addition in Southern Michigan. I was looking for interesting stones, and happened upon this in the field of gravel. It is dark in color, heavy, but not magnetic. It is somewhat cylindrical with a lengthwise hole down the center. The hole seems to have been made by a thin flat instrument (if it is in fact man-made). It reminds me somewhat of petrified wood. There is what looks like a small shallow groove around part of the cylinder toward one end. I talked to someone who claimed to be some sort of expert shortly after finding it and they didn't think it was man-made. Let me know what you think (and if you need any more information than what I've provided)! Thanks!

Nate

 

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[sanford.]

It looks like hematite, which is quite heavy and was very commonly used by native americans. It usually has a reddish hue, but I have seen black. It polishes up very smooth and was used to make a lot of ornamental objects. What you have could either be a naturally formed piece or a crudely made ornamental piece. If there are any straight lines or obviosly intentionally worked areas it is an artifact.

 

[Tricia]

It's sloppy. Even very old beads were usually well crafted. Beading told stories, beading was used as an important decoration on special dress as well as everyday clothing/shoes/accessories. Beads were traded and valued.

There just simply doesn't seem to be any craftsmanship in your object.

But I could be wrong. Doesn't look like hematite either. But could be wrong on that too.

 

[imafishingnutt]

I HAVE SEEN A FEW OLD BEEDS IN MY DAY MATTER OF FACT I HAVE A FEW AND I WOULD SAY OLD TRADE BEED.
THE INDIANS MAY HAVE ENDED UP WITH THIS BEED BUT WAS PROBABLY TRADED TO THEM
TRY AFRICAN TRADE BEEDS

 

[trikikiwi]

Interesting little find, One (Whaaat?) Wookie

I can't quite see if the hole has some 'debris' in it, or whether it's all the same piece.

If it is debris then that hole could be very round, like a bead. If it's all the same material, it looks like a toggle.

And, could it be made of coral ? black coral is very valuable,
although "Leave it where it's living" is my advice

Could it be an old "South Seas' Bead" ?

I'll look for some pics of black coral jewelry (jewellery to me )

Cheers, Mike

 

[OneSexyWookie]

Thanks for the thoughts. In regards to the "debris"- as far as I can tell, it is solid- part of the overall object. I've really wondered about this object because I really can't find anything like it- even online. I'll look into these concretions and see if I can find any similar to mine.