Serious question for the "experts"

[TheTh3rd]

Why is everyone SO quick to call a possible stone tool artifact "geofacts,natural, river Rock or just weathered stone?" No matter if it fits the description identically everyone will say it's not made by Native Americans simply because you don't find flint or arrowheads. But post that same stone tool with pictures of flakes or points and everyone will say it's man made.

That's like finding an empty McDonald's Big Mac box and saying it's not from McDonald's because the Big Mac wasn't in there.

I know this is true because I've posted pics of "possible artifacts/flakes/worked stone" and was told it's just "naturally chipped"..then I finally found an arrowhead and posted it with a pic of the same "naturally chipped rock" and y'all identified it as a scraper.

With that said please tell me this is a naturally formed stone.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[TheTh3rd]

I appreciate all the replies and I'm not taking anything personal so no worries. I'm learning.



These rocks have been very deep and haven't moved for who knows how long. So to me these look like artifacts. Take it easy on me but my first thought of one on the right was an axe (shape) until I used my finger nail to remove the dirt from the grooves....now I'm thinking sharpening tool And the other 2 Hammer or grinding stones?.....polished grips and areas worn from use??
View attachment 1287532
View attachment 1287533
View attachment 1287534

Here are the worn rough part on the 2 on the left. And more pics of the one on the right

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Ohio_Doug]

I believe those are natural rocks.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just natural rocks...

 

[monsterrack]

The two in the 3rd photo down look to have been used to hit on something, you can see the pecking pattern on the end. From the photos I say they are artifacts, I have never seen nature make that type of marks. Now the large item, it does look like a natural rock but I would have to have it in my hand to say for sure.

 

[Backwoodsbob]

There appears to be something on it. There is a figure on the one up from the bottom. It looks like a wizard. There also looks like the omega symbol and the wing. My opinion of course.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[ShieldJaguar]

For me, could they be artifacts? Yes. They could be. Would they be good artifacts? Not really. For me, a really good, quality artifact will be one that you can frame and don't have to try to explain to someone that it looks like it was used by man, possibly. With that said, I have a bucket or 2 of the latter. As I have learned more over the years I revisit those buckets and toss out the ones that I can now say aren't anything and occasionally find one that I can confirm as an artifact. That's how we all have learned in this hobby. When I first started hunting I was hunting limestone creeks. The stuff I would bring home makes me cringe now. But carrying home a backpack full of rocks is how I learned what not to pick up. After a summer of training my eyes I was able to discern worked vs natural with much more ease. In general, if something looks worked and you can fit it in your hand - you have to try left and right as they made tools for both, I will take it home to clean up and examine further.

You have some flakes and possible scrapers. The rest would go in my bucket. Keep looking. You'll find some "keepers".

 

[Mrdigz]

I see where your coming from with certain rocks. There is some wear on the rounder stones and the axe head/ sharpening tool looks to be grooved in certain areas. Whether this was done intentionally by Native Americans is almost impossible to prove. I personally think they are natural stones. But I'm not there to break out the Sherlock Holmes gear!
I think that if you feel strongly about certain pieces keep them for a while and go back after you've been hunting and researching some more. Then, when you find some definitive pieces you can go over your previous finds and make a better judgement call. You could of been right and that would be great! I've spent thousands of hours hunting everything under the sun so be patient an just enjoy the hunt!! Good luck!
Also, what state are you from?

 

[mwb76]

When I find objects like these I take a look around as I am hunting and see if they fit in I have a site on the family farm where me and other family members have found Similar stones and we classify them as artifacts because someone had to bring them there for something the nearest site they could have come from is a few miles away most not a top notch find but still a clue to what maybe there keep your eyes to the ground and good luck

 

[Gold Maven]

One thing to keep in mind, stone tools are extremely hard to find.

I have surface hunted for over 40 years, and have a sizable collection of flint artifacts, but the nice stone tools I have found are perhaps 5% or less of my total collection.

You have to roll a lot of rocks before you find a tool. By far the most common stone tool is a hammer stone, easily identified by small pecked depressions on opposing sides, and normally wear on the striking surface from smashing bones for marrow, nuts etc. Usually fist sized and spherical.

All identifiable tools have some features, a bit, poll, peck marks etc.

The rock you show could have been used for something, but without obvious signs of alterations or use, it's not really an artifact,imo.

No offense, but go into any creek, and you can find hundreds of rocks similar to the one pictured.

Not trying to discourage you, but be patient, enjoy the search, and when you find a stone artifact, you will have no doubts.

 

[unclemac]

most rocks that are artifacts are going to have an obvious use...they won't be a "this groove looks man-made, but this rock has no purpose"...if that helps at all.

 

[RGINN]

I have seen the experts chime in, only to have people tell them they don't know what they're talking about, then the experts get a little more pointed and direct with their responses, and they get called rude. The experts seem to back off from then on, and let people think a cracked rock they found is an artifact from Martian invaders for all they care. If there's a question, you really can't a make a final ID based on just a pic. You can say, yeah that's a finely flaked knife, but this is just an ambiguous strange rock for all we know. You get on the site, and there really are clues to look for that can back up your belief that a strangely shaped rock really could have been a used tool.

 

[Backwoodsbob]

It belongs in the treasure signs and symbols. It's not a tool for working. It's a tool used for looking.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[TheTh3rd]

I appreciate all the knowledge and replies shared! One thing I need to make clear is that I'm nowhere near a creek bed or river.

most rocks that are artifacts are going to have an obvious use...they won't be a "this groove looks man-made, but this rock has no purpose"...if that helps at all.

Here are 2 with grooves and in my mind signs of "use".... The ones on the right look like they were "used" for something maybe game stones.

I feel stupid if they aren't but to me the 2 on the left look like obvious tools.

View attachment 1288878

 

[TheTh3rd]

 

[TheTh3rd]

The one on the top is "grooved" on the top and bottom.

Here are the ones I the right.... Game stones maybe.


The dark one on the top left has 3 "polished" sides

This one is odd.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Just rocks.

 

[stefen]

What he said..

 

[unclemac]

enough already

 

[choo]

I want to see a pic of the pestle cleaned up & take a pic of both ends!

 

[TheTh3rd]

I want to see a pic of the pestle cleaned up & take a pic of both ends!

I will take better pics as soon as I get home. Sorry I don't have it with me.