animal Rock carving

[ginchristie]

I'm New to this, I apologize in advance for not posting correctly.I was wondering what this is....if anything. View attachment 1462942 View attachment 1462944 View attachment 1462946 I found this rock at the Illinois river in north east Oklahoma. I live in the Cherokee nation. It's 15 inches long, 9 inches at it's widest point. It weighs approximately 20 lbs. I believe it's sandstone, but I'm not certain.

 

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[crj1968]

What the heck!? I hope someone will chime in- I've never seen anything like it !!

 

[Mrdigz]

Looks like a turtle petroglyph . Thats really cool. NA used carvings for all sorts of reasons. Directional markers for tribes. Location to certain quarries, food sources or ceremonial purposes.

 

[AlabamaRelic]

Not old.

 

[Charl]

Here in the Northeast, my friend and archaeologist/rock art researcher Ed Lenik has documented and published examples of Native American carvings that were prehistoric, and carved in relief. Usually human faces. And, of course, there are many actual three dimensional sculptures known.

But, generally, Native American petroglyphs per se are created through pecking on the surface of a rock. Most are on large boulders, cliff faces, etc, though portable petroglyphs are known, and many of those are incised rather then pecked.

I have no idea what the origin or age of this carving in relief would be. But it's pretty cool regardless.

 

[Charl]

The series of straight lines, lighter in color, seeming to be incised onto the back, do show a lack of patina compared to the entire body of the critter. Those lines appear more recent, but I have no idea what those lines are.....

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I saw this on Facebook or another artifact site, I can't recall which, and I remember the responses were pretty much divided on it being ancient or modern. I do have to agree with Charl that the lines on the back look a lot fresher than the rest of the piece.

 

[monsterrack]

Are the lines on the back full of dirt/sand. Better photos would help us make a better call, but as for an age it could only be 50 yrs old and then it could be much older. Wash it off good I notice a lot of sand/dirt on it and post some more photos, but the straightness of the lines on the back make me wonder and that type of stone is easy to carve. Keep us updated on this.

 

[ginchristie]

Yes, the lines are full of dirt. I'll post more pics after I rinse it off. Thank you everyone.

 

[rock]

Im not much of a fossil guy but could it be a fossil?

 

[Mrdigz]

Im not much of a fossil guy but could it be a fossil?

It's Definitely not a fossil. Interesting piece though. Hopefully more pics are posted of the finer details.

 

[mn9000]

The Trail of Tears and creation of the Cherokee Nation are two of the most modern major events in Native American history. The carving doesnt appear to be very old but many NA artifacts found in the Cherokee Nation aren't. I'd say there's a good chance it could be authentic. I'm far from an expert though.

Ginchristie I sent you an email, you can check them at the very first screen that comes up if using the Treasurenet app on your phone. Awesome find by the way!!!!

 

[GaRebel1861]

Interesting find.

 

[FeralMermaid]

I am fascinated by this and hope you find some answers soon. It is a really neat work of art, even if it isn't too old. Please keep us updated!

 

[ginchristie]

Thank you every one for your comments. I still haven't found out much about this, but I've decided to put it back where I found it simply because I probably never should've brought it home.

 

[rock]

Thank you every one for your comments. I still haven't found out much about this, but I've decided to put it back where I found it simply because I probably never should've brought it home.

Hope you didnt get one of those emails or calls like the last guy that found the killer pot in California. Any thing found and posted that can be claimed as Ceremonial and looks recent like 500 years old or younger the Indian Nations are claiming them as their heritage rights. I know somebody who bought a pot and then tried to post it online for sale and the Nations contacted him and he had to give it back. If it wasnt found on private property with permission well I can understand you giving it back.

 

[bobby5]

Hmm, no pictures are showing up here.

 

[Charl]

The photos are indeed gone. Sorry I didn't save at least one, as it was at least interesting, and maybe I could have shown someone with a better handle on something like that. On the other hand, I take it the OP had a change of heart as he said he did, and I respect his decision. He feels he's doing the right thing.

 

[Mrdigz]

You could still hunt that area and document anything interesting. Who knows maybe you'll discover something exciting in the area. Good luck!!