Would this have been used for anything?

[autographcollector11]

This was found on the same site with a ton of flakes and about 6 points. It's heavy-about 4 lbs.
being that it was in site, would this have served any purpose. Forgive my ignorance on larger stones-it is not my expertise. There is a small cup shaped section on top-if that matters.

 

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[smokeythecat]

Very possibly a hammerstone due to the nibbles, indentations on the one end.

 

[autographcollector11]

Thanks. I'm having a hard time telling natural from worked. The site was never plowed so machinery damage is out. What do you look for? Would hammerstones be this large?

 

[monsterrack]

Thanks. I'm having a hard time telling natural from worked. The site was never plowed so machinery damage is out. What do you look for? Would hammerstones be this large?

Hammer stones come in all sizes. I quarry stone from an old NA quarry and find them for basketball size to ones that will fit in your palm. The rounded end on the item you found may show signs of hammering, but photos in the sunlight would help.

 

[autographcollector11]

Thanks monster rack. Here are a few more. Not sure if this helps. It was smack in the middle of a debitage field. It very well could be natural but want to better understand what to look for in potential hammerstones.
thank you

 

[unclemac]

well i will say this...for some reason hammer stones are often broken in half like yours...it does seem to show end use but there is no change in patina which would also be common....having said that i have found hammer stones with a lack of patina change before.

 

[crj1968]

I believe it to be a hammer stone (possibly)

I'm not an expert...but it looks exactly like one my brother just came across (also broke in half BTW) that was sitting on a larger stone at a camp full of flakes etc.

Did not think too much of either rock at the time, but after some thought and research I realized there was not another stone like them on top of the hill. Both were likely hauled up from nearby river.