Hand etched stone or natural?

[Louisa]

Hey all, I found this stone yesterday, rain washed side up and it just caught me eye because it just seemed unnatural. The grooves are fairly deep and the areas where there appears to be a triangle where the coloration is a darker color, appears to be carved out. The darker areas are elevated compared to the lighter areas. The stone is roughly only 2" tall by roughly 1" thick and roughly 1" wide. The back also has "slashes" and still has the dirt in it. The sides and bottom and top are smooth with no markings. Found on my property in Arkansas 4 1/2 miles from the oklahoma border.

[flip]

Sure doesn't look natural to me so I vote etched. Are there any flint flakes in the area?

[cedarratt]

Looks like the kind that were used to dull the edges of arrow heads when they were made. So I would say etched.

[Louisa]

Flip, I haven't noticed any flint flakes.

I have also found what appears to be a very old worn arrow head on my property.

A few miles from where I live I have been told of 2 areas where points and pieces of pottery could be found, just haven't made it over that way yet.

In the same general area of one of the locals above I was told by another person that the Trail of Tears cut through there.

[Michael Karr]

LOOKS LIKE INDIAN MADE TO ME.........MIKE

[SimonLakeSub]

Most likely Indian.....Called a rubbing stone, used to sharpen arrow heads and other stone tools. Interesting find...
Simon

[Cannonman17]

Given the marks on it there's no way it could have been used to sharpen an arrowhead, for dulling or basal grinding maybe, but not to sharpen anything.

[Neanderthal]

I have a lot of abrading, or as you called them "sharpening" stones and can say that I believe that isn't one. I believe that's a geofact. Look close at the lines and they don't appear scratched in at all (they are inconsistant). Having straight lines or something abnormal doesn't make an article an artifact, many geofacts will blow you away with their symmetry and odd markings.

[SimonLakeSub]

Hi Matt ,,,Tend to agree with you ,,At first the incised lines look possibly Indian made ,,A closer look, makes me think its natural,, The few abrading stones in my collection show slight groves on one edge of the stone. Also artifacts differ from state to state, I like to use the word "MAYBE" when people ask me for my opinion on Indian artifacts....Maybe for me means I would not go on record as publishling it as a artifact,, also as cannonball stated the rock was not found on a recorded site ..
Regards Simon

[TreasureTales]

I'm leaning toward the natural side of the debate. The darker bands were composed of softer material that has worn away, making the bands or lines appear to have been incised. Therefore the lighter material appears to be elevated.

[Captn Jack Sparrow]

Would also have to lean to the natural side of the debate, anyway still a neat find !!