An artifact, but what is it?

[JonG]

This was found in the southwestern part of Virginia about 20 years ago, and has been sitting on a shelf since then. Maybe someone here can provide some insight as to what it is/was.

To me it appears to be made of horn, or almost petrified wood, as it's heavier than wood, but not heavy enough to be stone. It measures 13" long. What I think is the top measures 1/25-1.5 inches wide and is lower in the middle (see the first picture), and has 3 holes. Two are drilled thru to one side, and one to the other. The two holes have been drilled from each side, and meet in the middle. There's a slight groove carved between the holes on the side so whatever was threaded thru them would lay. The bottom measures a little over .50 inches and it 1.5 inched "tall". The bottom is curved at one end.

 

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[Tnmountains]

Looks like old bone that was drilled. Not sure what it is though.Great pictures. Seems to also show where it was carved down for some reason.

 

[old digger]

Very interesting and cool find. Your item looks like a well patinaed antler or bone. It may have been used to lash onto a sled or travois.

 

[BagLady]

Very nice! Looks like the boat stones, but it might be like "Old Digger" said. Definetly a utilitarian piece. I'm thinking a bow drill for starting fires, but I could be wrong.

 

[iowa trout]

Jon that is the start of a carved fish hook .

 

[monsterrack]

I think Old Digger is on the right track and like Tn Mnt. said looks to be old bone or it could be old Ivory. It's a very cool find and one that does not fall into a certain type, all we can do is guess. We still don't know for sure how all stone items were used and for what. I would have someone from your area that is tied in with NA artifacts like a museum take a look at it, an then they will only be guessing. Thanks for posting I love it but I can't give you a positive ID

 

[JonG]

I think old digger has it. I always thought it looked like an old ice skate, so a travois piece makes sense. Until someone tells me otherwise, that's what it is. Sure beats telling them I don't know!

I'm going to take better pics and send them off to see if any of the local historians or museums have any ideas.

Thanks everyone!


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[Tnmountains]

I think old digger has it. I always thought it looked like an old ice skate, so a travois piece makes sense. Until someone tells me otherwise, that's why it is. Sure beats telling them I don't know!

I'm going to take better pics and send them off to see if any of the local historians or museums have any ideas.

Thanks everyone!



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And thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[capsmith]

Could be a boat stone.

 

[Quigi]

I would hazzard a guess at a childrens toy.

Woodland natives often made them.

 

[scotto]

Not sure but a great artifact!!