Identification of some possible bone tools

jamus peek

Sr. Member
May 13, 2014
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Primary Interest:
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Hi fellas

I have been hunting an area in the East bay San Francisco with a friend who has property overlooking the Bay Area in the hills. I believe there are a couple antler flint knapping tools one is hard and heavy possibly petrified with a white silver color.

The small deer bone looks like a scraper. Not sure though. The others Not sure. Any help Identifying would be highly appreciated.




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Only opinion.
Possible marrow extraction by fracturing with a good straight fracture if deliberate.
Lower leg bones look heavier than whitetailed deer but hard to tell without a deer leg to compare....unmolested looking though and cervid looking.
Antler looks unworked as well.
 

I believe they are cow or bison cannon bones. With the exception of the smallest bone on the bottom. Thanks for the reply.
 

Usually if bone was cooked and eaten by ancient man there will be incised or cut marks upon the bone and cracked for the marrow. The pedicle end of an antler was used for reduction on cherts the tips or tines were rounded to pressure flake. In finding these bones you should also be finding flakes or debitage. I have seen ancient tool knapping kits and not sure I am seeing one now. Are you finding any flint flakes?
Welcome to T-net Jamus Peek!
 

I have not found flint flakes I found them in a wooded area in a valley that runs into a creek. So I believe they were washed down from up above. About a quarter mile away there are mortars in large rocks from the Tuiben tribe from the Miwok Indians. The rock items were found directly below. I am fairly new to artifact hunting.

What do you think about the rock samples. In the area there are rock bowl mortars my friend who owns the land has two bowls?

Also thanks for the reply and welcoming.
 

The bones don't look like they have been altered or used by man and the same goes with the stone. If you can press in on the marrow part of the bone with your finger nail and it gives, then it is not fossilized. looks like your in a good spot from what you say, so keep looking there is more out there. Welcome to Tnet.:hello:
 

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Bannerstones are more common in the Eastern US (East coast, Midwest, Southeast and to a lesser degree Texas and the fringes of the plains states.) In the Great Basin and California atlatl weights are usually undrilled. Probably just a natural rock.

Pestles were common tools out there, but are usually more uniform and worked. It should have pretty good polish if it was used as a pestle, but my guess again is just a natural rock.
 

Jamus, I don't think any of your Bones were actually used as Tools. Some of them look like they may have been broken open to get at the marrow but that could also be from natural fracturing and weathering.

Take a look at these pieces. These are all actual Bone Tools. You can see the polish and use wear on all of these.
 

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Cool! Thanks for the pictures and the reply.
 

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