Can anyone help me identify ?

Aug 22, 2023
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47
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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I found this in Plymouth, Massachusetts in Billington Sea Pond. It was in about 2 feet of water on the sand. It was very off the beaten path. I know many Native American points have been found in this area. It’s definitely man made. It’s a beautiful perfect stone. Any ideas?? I think it’s too big to be a musketball..
 

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Upvote 7
Welcome to the forum.
I can see why you picked that one up. You're right about the prospects of finding artifacts in and around the Billington Sea area.
Congrats and good luck hunting!
Thank you I’m so excited lol. I agree that area I’m sure was very populated @ one time. Even hiking up in & around I almost always see deer & Turkey- still. It’s absolutely fascinating. Thank you for the encouragement & wish me luck 👍🏻♥️👍🏻
 

Now I’m going to ask for some side views of it. I’d like to see if it’s been smoothed on the sides. There is 2 different types of game stones. Some are round and some are round but have a look of a car tire.
 

T
Congrat's on the Save of the game ball. May this be the first of many to come your way. Continued Success.
Thank you so much! I’m really looking forward to hopefully finding another treasure ❤️ I just love it. Thanks for all the inspiration everyone is so helpful!! I never knew game stoned even existed 🙄
 

I've seen plenty of other game stones but none of them being as small as this one, that's why I asked. Maybe I'm missing something.
 

I’m being careful here to avoid discouraging you on your find.

While it is possible that the stone was rounded by human hands, it is smaller than we would expect for a game ball. Likewise, the material is not consistent with recorded finds (relying on publications only here)

I’m attaching sections I’ve pulled from MAS publications here for reference.
 

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Also, the Robbin’s Museum in Middleborough, MA has a treasure trove of high quality regional NA artifacts and publications to draw and compare from. It wouldn’t hurt to take it over to have someone look at it with you.
 

Interesting thread and this recovery.
I have always wondered if this granite ball was ever used, or just a natural ball.
Recovered on a forest ravine hillside many years ago.
No other rocks just nice forest loam soils. Down about 10" as I was doing a recovery of a target.
20230826_084506.jpg
 

I’m being careful here to avoid discouraging you on your find.

While it is possible that the stone was rounded by human hands, it is smaller than we would expect for a game ball. Likewise, the material is not consistent with recorded finds (relying on publications only here)

I’m attaching sections I’ve pulled from MAS publications here for reference.
Interesting, so are the pottery ones different than the stone ones?
 

These were found by my brother in the early 70's on the same farm along the Scioto River in Franklin County, Oh. We have dozens of points from there as well. They show obvious pecking and then smoothing. The one found by the OP is very similar and doesn't show any natural polish from being in the water & looks pecked into shape even if it is a little on the small size. I'm thinking hers is manmade.
20230826_105019.jpg
 

Now I’m going to ask for some side views of it. I’d like to see if it’s been smoothed on the sides. There is 2 different types of game stones. Some are round and some are round but have a look of a car tire.
Ok I’m late to the party this time 🙄 lol ok here goes. I put a tape measure next to it. On all sides it appears to measure a hair over an inch? It has 2 very small wear spots? They are very smooth there. Almost forming a wide V shape?? I’ll circle those. I’m going to move it all around getting all the sides 👍🏻
 

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I’m being careful here to avoid discouraging you on your find.

While it is possible that the stone was rounded by human hands, it is smaller than we would expect for a game ball. Likewise, the material is not consistent with recorded finds (relying on publications only here)

I’m attaching sections I’ve pulled from MAS publications here for reference.
No thank you I’m not discouraged @ all I’m so appreciative of all the help. If it’s not anything it’s still a treasure to me. ❤️❤️❤️
 

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I’m going to post some I’ve found
Also, the Robbin’s Museum in Middleborough, MA has a treasure trove of high quality regional NA artifacts and publications to draw and compare from. It wouldn’t hurt to take it over to have someone look at it with you.
Thank you 👍🏻 I work in Plymouth live in Falmouth. Middleborough it’s not far at all. I’d happily donate if they think it’s something special. There was a dig in Carver on the Plympton line about 15 years ago (Brook & High street area.) I had a farm on High street in Carver @ the time & would ride my horse on the trail where they were just across the street from my house. I remember talking to them I’m pretty sure they were taking it all to the Middleborough museum? It was an Indian site with many findings I believe bones as well??
 

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These were found by my brother in the early 70's on the same farm along the Scioto River in Franklin County, Oh. We have dozens of points from there as well. They show obvious pecking and then smoothing. The one found by the OP is very similar and doesn't show any natural polish from being in the water & looks pecked into shape even if it is a little on the small size. I'm thinking hers is manmade. View attachment 2101514
Those are beautiful
 

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