Beach find, natural or man made hole for a fishing net/line?

PetesPockets55

Bronze Member
Apr 18, 2013
1,696
3,040
Indian River Co., Fl
Detector(s) used
AT MAX & Carrot, Nokta Pulse Dice (:
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I live and play in the south central east coast area of Florida (1715 fleet area) and last winter I came across this "stone/rock" on the beach in the vicinity where the boats are targeting the ship that sank with backwash in the calmer summer months.
I have practically zero experience with local NA artifacts. (I have found pottery shards before on shore and on the western side of the estuary.)
This rock has me stumped because I assumed it was just a natural hole from being in the surf. But the more I looked at and photographed it, the more unsure I am.
Is this something that could have been used for a fishing weight on a line or net?
One edge even has wavy ridges on one side of the hole that look like it may have been worn from a "rope" rubbing against it.
The material the rock is made from is a shell/sand conglomerate that isn't brittle like some beach rocks here.

I'm hoping someone here can help me definitely confirm one way or the other or point me in the right direction. Many more images available if they help.
Thanks in advance for all comments and suggestions.

(ps.The last image gives the rock the appearance of a face which I'm sure is coincidental)
 

Attachments

  • FishNetWeight1Scale.JPG
    FishNetWeight1Scale.JPG
    142 KB · Views: 56
  • FishNetWeightWornGroove3.JPG
    FishNetWeightWornGroove3.JPG
    120.2 KB · Views: 57
  • FishNetWeight5Hole1.JPG
    FishNetWeight5Hole1.JPG
    118.3 KB · Views: 58
  • FishNetWeight_ExcellentCloseHole9.JPG
    FishNetWeight_ExcellentCloseHole9.JPG
    99.3 KB · Views: 54
  • FishNetWeight_ExcellentCloseHole10.JPG
    FishNetWeight_ExcellentCloseHole10.JPG
    124.8 KB · Views: 59
  • FishNetWeightMaterialCloseup1.JPG
    FishNetWeightMaterialCloseup1.JPG
    103.7 KB · Views: 58
  • FishNetWeight_ClearCloseHole6.JPG
    FishNetWeight_ClearCloseHole6.JPG
    100.3 KB · Views: 55
  • FishNetWeight_ClearInsideHole14.JPG
    FishNetWeight_ClearInsideHole14.JPG
    57.8 KB · Views: 57
  • FishNetWeightNiceWornMultipleGroove7.JPG
    FishNetWeightNiceWornMultipleGroove7.JPG
    108 KB · Views: 55
  • FishNetWeight_ExcellentFaceClose15.JPG
    FishNetWeight_ExcellentFaceClose15.JPG
    131.5 KB · Views: 56
Upvote 0
Thank you MaMucker.
Do you know of any sites I can visit to see man made weights? I've done Goolgle searches but haven't had much luck.
 

Coquina Rock. I think natural hole, too. If there were a midden site at that location I might start to have other thoughts about it...
 

I think it’s important to note the shape of a net weight should be smooth to prevent snagging and the edges around the hole should be smooth to prevent tearing the net or twine.
 

I think it’s important to note the shape of a net weight should be smooth to prevent snagging and the edges around the hole should be smooth to prevent tearing the net or twine.

Thanks so much TomClark and MaMucker.
Good points. I had nothing to compare to but assumed they would use a rock they could acquire locally and the coquina seemed most likely. Not sure if there are even any smooth rocks here.
And just the way the holes were flared on both sides made me think the vines/twine may have rubbed it away.

Thanks again.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top