Help identifying native American artifact

chelvt

Greenie
Mar 5, 2020
10
50
Vermont
Detector(s) used
Garrett AT Max
Garrett pro pointer
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Could this be a native American grinding stone? It has considerable wear on the underside where it is almost dished out and has long scratches and discoloration that is red. There is a groove where your thumb fits to the left also with staining and grooves where your fingers fit on the other side. On one end of the stone there is also staining and it is smooth down. Attached photos below..
16963527392351454100647968684088.jpg
PXL_20231003_165550281.jpg
PXL_20231003_165629490.jpg
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20231003_165612620.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165612620.jpg
    921.9 KB · Views: 28
  • PXL_20231003_165645784.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165645784.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 30
  • 16963526377344703035016912380854.jpg
    16963526377344703035016912380854.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 29
  • PXL_20231003_165636159.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165636159.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 27
  • PXL_20231003_165649352.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165649352.jpg
    918.2 KB · Views: 25
  • PXL_20231003_165629490.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165629490.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 25
  • PXL_20231003_165550281.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165550281.jpg
    1,022.4 KB · Views: 24
  • PXL_20231003_165607544.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165607544.jpg
    1 MB · Views: 31
  • PXL_20231003_165630386.jpg
    PXL_20231003_165630386.jpg
    957.2 KB · Views: 29
Last edited:
I'm wondering if this is a native American grinding stone. It has considerable wear and has grooves and scratching on the underside along with being discolored red. It is worn down significantly on the underside with visible scratching.There is a groove where your thumb fits perfectly and it stuck out to me right away. I would appreciate someone with possibly more knowledge in native American artifacts. Attached photos below..View attachment 2107986View attachment 2107996View attachment 2107997View attachment 2107999
Also as a side note, this was found at a known village site as an archaeological, dig was done here about 30 or 40 years ago.
 

Last edited:
I am sure that this is a native American grinding stone...
tn_moved_over.gif
I moved ya from HELP! over to WHAT IS IT? for more exposure.
tn_metal_detector.gif
If no one can identify your find - you might consider posting your pictures on NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN ARTIFACTS for additional exposure...

tn_notice.gif
NOTE: Forum HELP! contains guides tutorials on how to use the new TreasureNet.com software.
 

Hello there, this was found at a known village site where an archaeological dig was done many years ago. This stood out to me right away. When I looked underneath the stone it looks just like your typical grinding stone where it is grooved down in the middle with scratching and divots from grinding. It is considerably worn in the middle and the rock is also discolored on the bottom side which usually signifies wear. Please see attached photos. Thank you for your input.
PXL_20231003_165550281.jpg
PXL_20231003_165615860.jpg
PXL_20231003_165612620.jpg
PXL_20231003_165615860.jpg
PXL_20231003_165612620.jpg
PXL_20231003_195814547.jpg
PXL_20231003_195917437.jpg
PXL_20231003_165630386.jpg
 

Last edited:
Looks natural to me, no signs in pictures of being used, flat side doesn't show any signs of being used for grinding.
 

Last edited:
Hello there, this was found at a known village site where an archaeological dig was done many years ago. This stood out to me right away. When I looked underneath the stone it looks just like your typical grinding stone where it is grooved down in the middle with scratching and divots from grinding. It is considerably worn in the middle and the rock is also discolored on the bottom side which usually signifies wear. Please see attached photos. Thank you for your input.View attachment 2108001View attachment 2108002View attachment 2108003View attachment 2108004View attachment 2108005View attachment 2108027View attachment 2108028View attachment 2108029This has not been modified to a grinding stone. If it had, the used edge will be perfectly flat.
 

Natural rock. Flattened on one side by glacial action.
Indeed. With all the questions and comments people have of why these rocks they found are fashioned, as though it was a man made creation. It would be good they review this documentary to get a better understanding on how these unique rocks turned out the way they did by natural forces and not man. It's a bit long, but very informative.
 

I agree its natural.

had it been used as a pestle or other tool to grind or abrade long enough to get a wear pattern for a hand, the bottom would have a lot of polish and use wear. which I don't see
 

Threads merged to single thread.
 

I would have picked that one up too. And maybe I would have given it a good look over and even brought it home.
I have to disagree however, with the statement that it looks like a typical grinding stone. The immediate problem I see is that it is not typical at all. Like others here have said, it is missing all the obvious evidence.

The shape is cool. Could make a great doorstop or paperweight until the mystery is solved.

Could it have been used? Sure. For what exactly? Who can know?

Love the photos. Keep posting.
 

I am thinking that an Archeological dig at a village site wouldn't have missed that one were it an artifact.
 

Natural. Grinding stones I find are ground smooth on one side from use. And every rock I pick up fits perfectly in my hand.
 

I see no peck marks used to shape a tool, or polish use wear.
it's just a natural stone formed from weathering over years.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top