Is it an artifact? Or just a rock?

[Kent in AL]

Hi guys,

When I was a kid I picked up arrowheads from our farm's plowed fields but those fields are pasture now. However about once a year I walk around the eroding banks of one of the ponds and sometimes find a piece or two as I did today. One looks neat but I know little to nothing about artifacts. Is it an artifact or just a fortunately-shaped piece of limestone? Any opinions are welcome and thanks for your time!

Kent

 

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[GatorBoy]

Arrowheads were made almost exclusively from stone that would flake to create sharp edges. Limestone just isn't one of those. You may have a small scraper and I definitely see work on those broken pieces of Flint.

 

[SOHIO]

thats one of those that if it indeed has end use on that bit end (i cant tell from pics but seems too) the way its shaped steers it more in the direction of being a planing tool rather than a scraping tool not much different from each other but i have many many pcs (i find them a lot) with the same form as your stone and seem too have a planing shape and use on a bit end. the ones i find are usually the same material which naturally outcrops already in the angled shapes. I believe they took advantage of something that was available to them...they were always using their head. These planes i find are in association with adena culture . I wish I had some photos on here of those pcs but i dont think i ever photographed them.

 

[GatorBoy]

Kinda like this?

 

[SOHIO]

no, more like this..........

View attachment plane.bmp

 

[SOHIO]

I find these in a certain area and believe that this wasn't/isn't a widespread or typed tool as I don't see people posting these and I can't recall seeing them in books or archaeological records unless I'm just unaware of them being typed or frequently found as I find them a lot . I was out there today in one of these places and seen several that i couldnt bring back i was pretty loaded down today (it rained) not to mention the 30 lbs of mud I carried around on my boots. I was wore out ...didn't find any points but got scraper rich.

 

[Kent in AL]

Thanks guys for your input. It's mottled pattern caught my eye and it seemed either deliberately shaped or maybe just naturally conveniently shaped. It's a cool piece I'll set aside. Thanks again!

 

[gilmerman]

You have a small Celt there I believe.

 

[Tnmountains]

Arrowheads were made almost exclusively from stone that would flake to create sharp edges. Limestone just isn't one of those. You may have a small scraper and I definitely see work on those broken pieces of Flint.

Ummm I have limestone tools from Alabama ..... The others are artifacts Kent as they have been altered by man. Nice "I" button avatar.

 

[GatorBoy]

Ummm I have limestone tools from Alabama ..... The others are artifacts Kent as they have been altered by man. Nice "I" button avatar.

Were they chipped/ flaked? I have limestone artifacts too.

 

[Tnmountains]

Knapped off the ends and worked like flint. They are hoes or diggers is my guess maybe a chopper as well. Some are very large.Big flakes.

 

[GatorBoy]

Cool! Never seen flaked limestone...or even heard of it. I've seen low grade chert that was very low in silica worked like that but pure limestone.... nope.

 

[Get-the-point]

It does look like a micro-celt but i'm leaning towards a natural stone...........JMO.........GTP(Chris)

 

[Tnmountains]

Cool! Never seen flaked limestone...or even heard of it. I've seen low grade chert that was very low in silica worked like that but pure limestone.... nope.

I would not have thought so either if I had not found several. I posted some a couple years back.

 

[Kent in AL]

Thanks guys! You've given me a lot of info to think about. I hate to admit it but I didn't know what a celt was but thanks to you guys and Google, now I do. Like I said, I loved picking up arrowheads as a kid but have never really learned much about Indian artifacts.

It was found in Morgan County, AL. We're just south of Limestone County and close to Flint Creek - those names tell you how plentiful both materials are in this area.

Thanks TNMountains on the compliment on the Confederate I button! That's my best metal detecting find.

Kent

 

[Tnmountains]

Thanks guys! You've given me a lot of info to think about. I hate to admit it but I didn't know what a celt was but thanks to you guys and Google, now I do. Like I said, I loved picking up arrowheads as a kid but have never really learned much about Indian artifacts.

It was found in Morgan County, AL. We're just south of Limestone County and close to Flint Creek - those names tell you how plentiful both materials are in this area.

Thanks TNMountains on the compliment on the Confederate I button! That's my best metal detecting find.

Kent

We aim to please sir. Fun hobby both of them. Keep posting when you find them we enjoy seeing the finds.
HH
TnMtns