Lenape Effigy?

[Hmmm?]

Found near a stream. The area is said to have been a Lenape stomping ground. An eye is carved in to the stone along with fish scales? Your thoughts?

[Bigcypresshunter]

The hole on the left, is that the "eye"? Could we see the back and side view maybe.

I know very little about Indian artifacts outside of South Florida but I dont have any idea what it is supposed to represent. I just dont see anything recognizable.

[Hmmm?]

Thank you for the reply, Big.

To me.. it appears to be a fish (facing left). The whole on the left does appear to be an eye.

Did some research on this type of item and found that the Native Americans would carve stones in to the shape of animals. The stones were used for ceremonial use or as tools.
Still researching..

[aquachigger]

I think the "scales" might actually be Crinoid fossil impressions. Here is an example from my collection. Maybe your rock is somewhat more eroded by stream action. Pretty cool looking whatever it is.

[Silver Searcher]

Nice stone

SS

[Hmmm?]

Thank you for the reply Aqua...

[Hmmm?]

Thanks SS

[worldtalker]

Don't know what it is,but,I'll tell ya one thing,It sure looks like a fish to me!!!!!!!!!!!!Well,that is a weird lower jaw though,any way it's still cool,only one there is!Nice eye ya got there for sure,got my Wife with her eye to the ground,she finds stuff!God Bless HH Chris

[Hmmm?]

Thank you World..

It's a scary lower jaw. A mean looking fish.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Its an odd looking stone but to be honest, I think its a stretch to call this a fish. IMO its really stretching it lol. I guess its like looking in the clouds and seeing a flying horse..

I hope others will post their honest opinions because Im sure you are looking for the truth. I agree it may be some kind of fossilized impression. You may try the American Indian Artifacts section for more experienced answers. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/board,89.0.html

Keep looking for unusual things in the stream beds. Im sure you will find something if you keep looking.

[Hmmm?]

Thanks for the link..

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks for the link..

UW let us know what they say.

[worldtalker]

Its an odd looking stone but to be honest, I think its a stretch to call this a fish. IMO its really stretching it lol. I guess its like looking in the clouds and seeing a flying horse..

I hope others will post their honest opinions because Im sure you are looking for the truth. I agree it may be some kind of fossilized impression. You may try the American Indian Artifacts section for more experienced answers. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/board,89.0.html

Keep looking for unusual things in the stream beds. Im sure you will find something if you keep looking.

Boy BCH,ain't that the truth!!!

[Hmmm?]

Looks good Texastee =)

[samson357]

Whatever it is its pretty cool looking

[The Grim Reaper]

Sorry, but all I see is a naturally eroded stone with some Crinoid Fossils inclusions (what you think are scales).

I guess with enough imagination it could look like a fish, but like I have said hundreds of times, when an Indian decided to make an effigy of something they left no doubt in the mind of what they were trying to convey.

[artorius]

Hi Hmmm?'

Did you find that in South Jersey or in PA south and east of Blue Mountain (where the Lehigh Tunnel is located)? If so, you are south of the area where Paleozoic fossils - including crinoid columnals - are found. Of course, it could have been moved into your area from further north.

The piece is so weathered I am not sure what to make of the original markings, but from the pic, I would not dismiss the possibility that this is an artifact.

artorius

[oldgoat]

Hi Hmmm, welcome to the board. the rock that you show looks like a ceolacanth fish to me...they were and I guess still are, a prehistoric fish that was discovered off the coast of madagascar back in the forties or fifties...goat

[Bigcypresshunter]

Didnt this thread start out in the "What Is It" forum?

[tmodel]

hello hmmm?!! and welcome to Tnet, from Tmode!! on the eastern highland rim of Tennessee. i sure can see a fish like pattern in that rock, and would like to see [3] more photos of it the other side and both ends, please as good of photos as you have allready posted. the only thing that i can see might be wrong with it is i did not find it! Terry