Chumash? Found in Los Padres National Forest, CA.

[SunMan]

Any identification help appreciated. Thought it was natural at first but the more I look at it it seems like markings are tapped like a petroglyph and the hole seems too sharp. Thoughts from the experts?

 

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[Jatrox]

If it was in a National Forest, you should have photographed it and left it... pretty sure taking it is illegal. It is in my state anyway. But it is man made in my opinion

 

[SunMan]

Thank you for the information. I did not know that to be the case for national forests, I knew it was a no-no in national parks. I Will look into it. There is a local natural history museum I will take it to if it turns out to be a legit artifact.

 

[Jatrox]

Pretty sure National anything is off limits but it's worth looking into for your state and sake if nothing else. The Chumash is still an active tribe. Maybe reaching out to them is an option too? To me, it is an artifact for sure. There is nothing about that piece that looks natural.

 

[Buckleberry]

Even as an honest mistake, you could get into some serious legal issues with holding onto that if it is indeed an artifact, which is questionable.

ignorantia juris non excusat (Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses not"), or ignorantia legis neminem excusat ("ignorance of law excuses no one"), is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely by being unaware of its content.

 

[SunMan]

Even as an honest mistake, you could get into some serious legal issues with holding onto that if it is indeed an artifact, which is questionable.

Understood. This is not a hobby of mine, I was just on a backpacking trip when I came upon it, and am curious as to what it is. To the previous post, yes the Chumash are active and I was planning on pursuing local options to identify it when I discovered this site.
Appreciate all of the input and any further information. If I manage to identify via local means I will update here.

 

[CreekSide]

Well it looks crooked and the hole well I’m sure the OP knows just like I do. But how about some clear pictures of the hole both sides?

 

[ToddsPoint]

You can take rocks from the National Forests. All of them. All US National Forests have the exact same rules. You can take a small amount of any kind of rock, you can detect for coins and such. You can’t dig or disturb known archaeological sites. I rock hunt in Shawnee Nat. For. in So IL. I stopped at their office and verified the above info.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

It violates federal law to remove artifacts from any federal property, with that said you are probably safe as I don't think it is indian artifact, looks more like a fossil, the hole has no signs of being drilled when blown up, but a close up in focus of both sides of hole would help.

 

[pepperj]

It violates federal law to remove artifacts from any federal property, with that said you are probably safe as I don't think it is indian artifact, looks more like a fossil, the hole has no signs of being drilled when blown up, but a close up in focus of both sided of hole would help.

Looks like photo 1 &2 are the 2 different sides.
Going on the tick marks at 3 o'clock and 10:30, larger area at 6:30 in photo 1
Which means the hole goes through probably, as it looks different in each photo

 

[ToddsPoint]

It sure looks like a fossil. It might be a stretch to call it an artifact.

 

[sprailroad]

Federal Government being the Federal Government, perhaps it might be better to follow the, "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. Just saying....

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Looks like photo 1 &2 are the 2 different sides.
Going on the tick marks at 3 o'clock and 10:30, larger area at 6:30 in photo 1
Which means the hole goes through probably, as it looks different in each photoView attachment 2138559View attachment 2138560

Unfortunately pictures are out of focus when blown up but pictures as is, the hole looks natural from both sides, don't see any sign of drilling, but again they are out of focus.

 

[CreekSide]

The holes look fresh to me

 

[newnan man]

I don't think it's man made. The shape serves no purpose.

 

[SunMan]

Thanks for the responses. I did include both sides in both sets of photos, I updated them as the first one was out of focus. Will delete first set to avoid confusion.
Agree the uneven shape seems odd, but the ticks and holes are what got me thinking it might be something.
Also of note, I haven’t been able to push anything thru the holes, so don’t know if it is blocked or does not pass through.

 

[xracer550]

You can take rocks from the National Forests. All of them. All US National Forests have the exact same rules. You can take a small amount of any kind of rock, you can detect for coins and such. You can’t dig or disturb known archaeological sites. I rock hunt in Shawnee Nat. For. in So IL. I stopped at their office and verified the above info.

Here in California (Angeles Nat. forest) I was collecting rocks for my Pond landscape when the Ranger asked if I had a permit , I did know I needed one He said they where free for personal use , They do not want landscapers & contractors collecting all the rocks & said he could give me a ticket but the whole group was on fire duty & only gave me a warning .

 

[CreekSide]

Here in California (Angeles Nat. forest) I was collecting rocks for my Pond landscape when the Ranger asked if I had a permit , I did know I needed one He said they where free for personal use , They do not want landscapers & contractors collecting all the rocks & said he could give me a ticket but the whole group was on fire duty & only gave me a warning .

Yes you have to be careful with state owned land. Once when my daughter was little I took her to a park and showed her the fossils that were in the bottom of the spring. Lo and behold the Ranger was waiting on me when I surfaced. Live and learn