Artifact or just a Rock?

[tamrock]

I found this rock along the sage hills of the Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado. Not sure if man put the bore hole in it or it is a process of natural erosion? It looks to be a volcanic ash tuff or a grey form of rhyolite. It is an abrasive grain stone. It measures 3-1/2" x 2-7/8" x 1-1/2" and the bore is a tappered hole 1-7/8" at the top diameter and 13/16" deep. I'm thinking it was used as a top end to steady a fire starter stick, as it fits well in the palm of the hand. It has a build up of alkaline deposit on it, so it hasn't seen river erosion in a long time. Also the other rocks in the area weren't river stones, but more angular and broken of many types. I call on the underground gold, silver, moly and urainium mines in the western states from Colorado to California and Idaho to Arizona for 20+ years now. I love to immerse myself from time to time in my travels looking over the landscape in the moments I have nothing to do, but get to the next town and find a motel. I don't find many full pieces out in the rocky terrain as cattle and wildlife have pretty much stomped the ground over, but looking for things left behind by those of the past irelieves the stress nonetheless. I get a sense of connection with peoples of the past when I find something or, so it seems to me. I can say its a peaceful pass time out with what seems like just yourself the wind, crows and magpies. I have at times found myself along ways from where I parked the truck and dark by the time get back to it.

Thanks for any opinions,

Grant

 

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[osage express]

Neat find looks like an Indian paint pot....Neat

 

[osage express]

I found this on Tnet from 2009 Looks almost like the one you found Real neat find

 

[hardaway1972]

looks like a grinding bowl. nice find

 

[hardaway1972]

I found this one a couple of years back not as deeply worn as yours and found this heartbreaker morrow mountain type 2 with base broke off right beside of it!!

 

[tamrock]

Holy Smokes! It does look the same. Where was yours found?. The rock material also looks to be the same and perfect for fine grinding iron stone. It didn't occur to me as a paint pot ... Thank you! OE

 

[tamrock]

Nice find hardaway1972, keep it up!

looks like a grinding bowl. nice find

 

[hardaway1972]

also found this nice axe in the same general area a couple of weeks later!!! I think its a Guilford era axe!

 

[Indian Steve]

The hole is way to big for a handhold for a bow drill fire starter. The hole would only be around an inch across. Too big and the spindle wobbles and causes it to loose friction in the fireboard so it is much harder if not impossible to make a coal. I have made hundreds of fires with a bowdrill and would never attempt to use that. I agree that it is a very nice "paint pot" or small bowl or cup. GREAT FIND! steve

 

[bci101tractors]

I think it is natural, but I would have brought it home as well. Look inside with a scope, look for worked marks.
Nice find nevertheless...
Thanks for posting,
BCI

 

[HutSiteDigger]

With all those arrow heads you are finding!! i would say you are doing great!

 

[tamrock]

I have inspected the surface with a 10X loop and see no grinding marks. The entire surface is the same grainy rough feeling, but that could be to the natual decomposition of the type of mineral it is over time on the rock surface. I'm not off the fence as to it being a genuine artifact. I've seen rocks in rivers and rocky coasts that have a natual water-sand erosion action bore a hole in the rock... Thanks for your reply, Grant

I think it is natural, but I would have brought it home as well. Look inside with a scope, look for worked marks.
Nice find nevertheless...
Thanks for posting,
BCI

 

[rock]

IMO that is one of the hardest things to get a ID on. They do come natural in that shape but then again the Indians did make them also. You have to look to see if it has been pecked into that shape. If it is slick then I would guess natural if it is rough as if it had been altered into that shape then it could be a artifact. Maybe try putting it in the NA Indian forum. I have seen allot of those guys give an ID on that type of thing. Its here in the forum list.