islandscope
Jr. Member
I recently found this piece at a site where I have previously found artifacts, mostly from woodland period but occasionally archaic and possibly older. It is gray in color, (possibly rhyolite?) and I have found other artifacts made from thus material. It is similar to other grinding stones I have found, featuring at least two long flat sides that appear worn from use, triangular in section to fit the hand, and a dimpled top presumably for the thumb, and it fits well in my right hand with the worn surfaces exposed for use.
One side has a series of indents napped into it, which I initially thought might be for use as a sinew stone or some for of nutting application. After cleaning it and looking at it more I think it might have been deliberately created to resemble the profile of a face. My reference materials don't have many examples of effigy stones, nor does the web, and there seems to be a lot of variability among the ones that have been found. If anyone can identify this or provide additional information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
One side has a series of indents napped into it, which I initially thought might be for use as a sinew stone or some for of nutting application. After cleaning it and looking at it more I think it might have been deliberately created to resemble the profile of a face. My reference materials don't have many examples of effigy stones, nor does the web, and there seems to be a lot of variability among the ones that have been found. If anyone can identify this or provide additional information it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.