Found: Native American Bone Bead?

[TheCoinKid]

Found this sifting in a cave (actually a deep three-sided overhang around 6 ft tall, 20 ft wide and 15 ft deep) on family property in Central Texas. The cave is halfway up a small mountain and overlooks a meadow leading to a river. The entrance is completely covered from view by brush/trees. The cave floor is covered with around two feet of fine dust/soot/sand.

A large number of Native American artifacts have been found in the cave and surrounding mountain area over the years. The local history also has it that a lady of ill repute did business out of the cave in the late 1800's. I was told that the cave was completely searched out years ago, but you know nothing is ever completely searched out, right?

In any event, the bone bead? was found along with a tooth and a couple of partial flint points/tools.

Any opinions? Is it what it appears to be?

[sandchip]

I can't tell from here what it's made of, but it definitely looks like a bead. Very nice find.

[monsterrack]

It does look like a bead made from a bird bone. I'll post a photo of some that I have so you can compare. Very good find.

[TheCoinKid]

Thanks for the pics Monsterrack. Looks to be dead spot on, age/discoloration spots and all.

[TheCoinKid]

So, is this a fairly common find?

[crj1968]

So, is this a fairly common find?

I don't think so- first one I've seen posted here. I've certainly not known anyone that has found one. SWEET FIND !

[rock]

So, is this a fairly common find?

Not in my area its not. I havent found one and I have found points .5 inch long and have never seen a bead yet. Id like to find 1 though.

[monsterrack]

So, is this a fairly common find?

It just depends on how much acid is in the soil in an area and how good of a spot you have.

[NCPeaches]

It's a cool find, you did good! I haven't found one yet either but they do find them in the dig across town so hoping one or more will turn up in the creek for me.

[The Grim Reaper]

So, is this a fairly common find?

Yes and no, it really depends on what type of site you are hunting. On the Ft Ancient sites I hunt these are fairly common and I have found hundreds of them. Some soils though just don't preserve the Bone and it will deteriorate really quickly.

That looks like a pretty nice and highly polished one.

Here are a few I have.

[newnan man]

Here are some flat bead's made from I would guess freshwater shell. These and most of the points were found in Ohio near the Kokosing River. I like that bone tube bead, sadly I've never found one.

[TheCoinKid]

Thanks to all.

BTW, you guys have found some nice stuff.

[SweepNbeep]

I'm a fan of that bead, super cool find.

[sandchip]

It wouldn't last for long in the dirt in these parts. Would like to see pictures of the bore if that's doable.

[CHUDs]

Unique find!