Native American tool(?) found in Alms Park, Cincinnati

[Carlos Ramirez]

Anyone have any idea what this is? My sons and I found it on the ground while hiking in Alms Park, Cincinnati, which sits at the top of a hill overlooking the Ohio and Little Miami River valleys. The ancient peoples who lived around here were, in order of ancientness, Adena, Hopewell, Fort Ancient, Shawnee / Miami / Mingo / Wyandot. One knowledgeable guy told me it is probably not an artifact. I think maybe he thought it was just a water smoothed stone. But it recently occurred to me that we found this on a hill, not near a stream. I have been reading a book on Hamilton County archaeology (I have been doing some land use planning work), and I am starting to think this was a tool. It resembles photos I have seen of locally found celts, hand axes, axe heads, atl atl weights and one example of a wedge used for splitting willow to make baskets. It is small, so I think it was a tool, not a weapon. Notice how the wider tip appears to have been beveled into a sharp point (the sharpness of which has probably been worn down through use)? I suspect this was a sharpening, cutting or sanding tool, probably used by a woman (judging from its size). Hamilton County, Ohio, near the rivers, was practically a Native American "metropolis" for the past thousand or so years, so I don't think it is a stretch to think this is an artifact.

Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

Carlos

 

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[RGINN]

It resembles photos of the things you mentioned but I believe it to be just a rock. If it was a used tool, the bevelled edge would show wear marks, and the pics are blurry on my screen. It also goes to the context in which it was found. Other artifacts around that indicate an historic or prehistoric presence at the site, or just this lone rock on the hill?

 

[Metal Illness]

It looks like what I call an IR, interesting rock. The pics are a bit blurry and don't show good detail. I do not see any peck marks, or wear that would indicate Indian Artifact. JMO, truthfully in our area of SW Ohio most "Stone" artifacts will be made of banded slate or speckled granite. From the picture yours looks like it might be sandstone. Interesting though, keep your eyes open, your in a great area for Indain artifacts.

 

[Metal Illness]

Carlos, another thing to keep in mind going forward, give a general location when you find and display your artifacts. There are those out there that will absolutely root in/trespass on your sites if you divulge exact locations. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just a rock, better luck next time...

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[Carlos Ramirez]

Thanks, RGINN. I am almost certain other artifacts were found around that site, because the Cincinnati Park Board gives a history of Alms Park in which it refers to the park as being on "Bald Hill." The Park Board explains that the first Cincinnati settlers, who lived in the valley below, noticed that the natives cleared the trees from the top of that hill so as to better spy on the settlers; hence the name "Bald Hill." My sons and I did not find any other artifacts, but the exposed parts of the hillside along the trail are crazy chock full of Ordovician fossils. Fossil hunting is the reason my boys were sifting through the dirt, and found the "interesting rock."

 

[Carlos Ramirez]

Thank you, everyone, for your input.

 

[rock]

Don't know about your area but here they will put you in a long time out for picking up anything in a park that is artifact related. Might want to read the rules in your state.