Indian, fossil, or Lodestone ?

[Chainshot]

I went metal detecting for Civil War, stuff today. I've been doing it for about 20 years. The detector got a signal and I started digging. Found just a chunk of old iron. But....while digging, my eye spotted this thing. It was about 1ft. down.

It is VERY smooth to the touch and about the size of a quarter. Appears natural to me and not man made ? Dug not too far from a river. Also lots of Indian activity in the area back in their day. The two sides are somewhat similar, but also different.

Whatcha' think ? Fossil or Indian item ? Someone also mentioned Lodestone, polished by Indians...?

Thanks.

 

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[Montana Jim]

That is really interesting! May I ask where you live... state, area... type of terrain? I'm looking forward to seeing opinions on this!

 

[MiddenMonster]

Whatcha' think ? Fossil or Indian item ? Someone also mentioned Lodestone, polished by Indians...?

If it's lodestone shouldn't it be magnetic? Put a magnet or compass next to it and find out. To me it looks sort of like jasper (the dark parts) surrounded by chert.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm in Calhoun, GA. A few miles from New Echota, 20 miles N. of Etowah Indian Mounds, also Resaca....large Civil War battle took place. I think I need to go back and dig some more

 

[TreasureTales]

Very odd, never seen anything like it. What is on the edge of it-- in the final photo, right side? Hope someone can ID it before too long. Go back there and see what other peculiar things can be found!!! Weird.

 

[elle]

Chainshot, I may be completely wrong about this, but it reminds me of this treasured Indian possession,
an artifact called a "discoidal".

Also termed, "a disc", it was used in an ancient Native American game--so it was a "game stone." Discovered across many states, they were made to be durable and artistically beautiful. Discoidals were of many styles and made of different colorful stoned materials, depending on the region.

You said you are in northern Georgia, and sure enough, the style that has been found near the Indian Etowah complex resembles yours (this circle roller style is said to be 2-4" in diameter and not symmetrical).

These are said to be popular artifacts found, like tools; but if it is one, I think you had an extremely lucky find...valuable indeed...
Crab

 

[dugupfinds]

Definately worth further investigation, maybe through a museum?

I know nothing about your Indian culture (other than on Westerns (TV))

I do know that if it were natural, then its very likely someone in the past spotted it like you did & thought it "Lucky" enough to maybe polish it (if it wasn't already polished by a stream) and keep it for any number of reasons.

Very nice 'eyes only'. Hope you figure it out.

 

[Tony in SC]

Cool find Chainshot!! You live in a great area for Indian and CW relics. I just learned last week that the oldest known Indian village in America was on the Savannah River. I found some good things there when Hartwell Lake was being built. Tony

 

[Chainshot]

Looks like a tiny notch, cut, or indention.

What is on the edge of it-- in the final photo, right side?