cool mystery!

[unclemac]

What do I have here? This is what I know. I found these on the beach in the mud at a spot where the remains of an old settler cabin once stood. I find a lot of things in this spot and the mud preserves items well. The bottles on the site date it to at least the 1880's but a lot of items date further back. It was once an Indian gathering site for multiple villages and pot-latch items have been found here too. The natives and settlers here intermarried early and their decedents never left. They are a unrecognized landless band with a lot of pride....having said that I really doubt a native American connection with these items but since I have no idea what they are....well, there you go.

These things were all found together, there are more of them in the mud, they are all laid out next to each other in graduating sizes like ribs on a boat (which they are not). They are made of wood but not made from dimensional lumber, these were all made by hand from local spruce, you can see the tool marks (looks like a metal knife to me..or ax) and there is even some inner bark left in places. One end is whittled down to be pegged into something but the other end is different. The other end tapers to its conclusion based on the form of the over all piece.

One of y'all must have a clue. The local economy has always been primarily oystering dating back to the 1840's and still is today. One other clue may be the blacksmithing tools I have found here as well.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[tamrock]

I'm liking plug & plays theory because those old timers were masters of improvising. Being a non factory made tine, not one of them could be made perfect to the other I'm thinking.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[unclemac]

remember too...all found in a group laying parallel to each other, and in graduating sizes.

 

[tamrock]

remember too...all found in a group laying parallel to each other, and in graduating sizes.

Maybe a practice of witchcraft, shamanism, hexes and curses. Now wouldn't that be a cool rediscovered technique we could use in certain situations.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I asked this before but you don't think they could have been made for hand drills, bow drill or fire plow? It almost looks like a plow on one end and drill on the other.

 

[unclemac]

they are pretty big for that i think. the one end looks like it was whittled to fit into a hole.

 

[Plug N Play]

 

[unclemac]

how big is that?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

they are pretty big for that i think. the one end looks like it was whittled to fit into a hole.

1- why would you say they are too big? Isnt that a 12 inch ruler? 2-Yes the one end looks like it was whittled similar to a spindle that would fit into a fire board hole and the other end a plow. It sounds as if you want to dismiss the idea but I dont understand your reasoning sir. What am I missing



ADDED: I never started fire with sticks so maybe I have no idea lol. But I would like to know why these could not have been fashioned for that purpose. Thanks

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

View attachment 1714629

I wish we could see the other ends. They are slightly different sizes.

 

[unclemac]

1- why would you say they are too big? Isnt that a 12 inch ruler? 2-Yes the one end looks like it was whittled similar to a spindle that would fit into a fire board hole and the other end a plow. It sounds as if you want to dismiss the idea but I dont understand your reasoning sir. What am I missing

View attachment 1714713View attachment 1714714

ADDED: I never started fire with sticks so maybe I have no idea lol. But I would like to know why these could not have been fashioned for that purpose. Thanks

well, when you look at the video you posted, you see that his hand is down near the end, which would indicate the a two foot length would be pretty hard to use in that way. there is also not indication of that sort of wear on either end, with the whittled end being round and un-polished as if it was not rubbed. the other end shows wear but not the sort that shows any heat.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

well, when you look at the video you posted, you see that his hand is down near the end, which would indicate the a two foot length would be pretty hard to use in that way. there is also not indication of that sort of wear on either end, with the whittled end being round and un-polished as if it was not rubbed. the other end shows wear but not the sort that shows any heat.

Ok but I purposely posted a photo of a spindle over 2 feet long so Im not sure what you mean, they come in all lengths, there is no standard size, even the plow, and I wouldn't rule it out simply because they were not used. The lengths are perfect for fire starter material. But its just a wild guess and my gut feeling tells me its not for fire. I'm also not knowledgeable on Native American artifacts outside of the local Indians in South Florida..

 

[unclemac]

well, as a spindle there are no signs of such wear and i would think the curved shape would make it rock if it was used like that. I was thinking you meant them to be plows.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

well, as a spindle there are no signs of such wear and i would think the curved shape would make it rock if it was used like that. I was thinking you meant them to be plows.

My crazy idea was plow on one side, spindle on the other and never used. And it may really be a crazy idea but it sure seems to fit. Like I said I know very little about fire starter sticks but I know plows come in various lengths. I thought it would start a discussion from someone more knowledgeable on primative fire starter material. And Im still hoping someone will chime in.

I wasn't sure about the curvature by looking at the pics. If they are badly curved than yes it would seem to eliminate the spindle idea. And I have no idea if Spruce is even the correct wood type. I dont know why someone would make 5 or 6 of them and never use them unless it was a kid or boy scouts practicing or something. ....anything is possible.

But like I said my gut feeling is not for fire but by throwing out thoughts, suggestions and ideas that fit, no matter how silly or crazy is how this forum has succeeded for years. You have an interesting find and its obviously man made. I hope you get it solved.

 

[unclemac]

me too!

 

[CRUSADER]

My first thought is the tent ties they use on Native American Teepee's to stitch the tent together at the front;
https://www.ducksters.com/history/native_american_homes.php

 

[unclemac]

i like how you think, but these folks lives in Cedar plank houses in permanent villages.

 

[CRUSADER]

i like how you think, but these folks lives in Cedar plank houses in permanent villages.

Lots of repro's, I didn't mean old.

 

[unclemac]

here is an update...

I had the local expert come over this weekend, a very knowledgeable fellow with advanced degrees who has specialized in my very specific water shed...so as far as i am concerned, unimpeachable. He looked at these and was stumped too, he took a lot of pictures and was excited to investigate further. But a couple of things he did point out were...they were definitely formed by and adz and not a knife or axe... and there is not any "use wear" so they were made to "be" something not to "do" something. I will post more as I learn more.

 

[Machkin]

Marlin spikes

 

[unclemac]

bumping this post, found another one.