Can you tell me what this is? Indian artifact/tool?

[stphaniesuer]

I live in Austin Texas. My husband found this buried approx. 5" below the dirt. Can anyone tell me what it is. You can hold it in your hand and your fingers fit perfectly. It has one side that is a bit more concave that the other and there are three spikes at the top.

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[baspinall]

Is it stone?

[mamabear]

I don't know what it is, but it looks amazing! hope someone can ID it. good luck

[FrenchCreoleCoin]

Maybe a native American tool used for skinning an animal?

[stphaniesuer]

Maybe a native American tool used for skinning an animal?

It is made of stone (chalk-like) It does look like it would have been used to hold a skin and scrape it. When you hold it it is a perfect fit in one hand and it is concave more on one side than the other , like it was worked more on that side. I would love to find out what it is. Native American or prehistoric. I am thinking Native American. Does anyone have any suggestions who I should ask?

[Jarl]

Interesting for sure. Recheck the area it was found in. What was the history there and what prehistoric record already exists in that place? Get into some books. It is quite curious! Good luck!!

[creskol]

It looks sorta like an abrading stone

[Jarl]

Interesting for sure. Recheck the area it was found in. What was the history there and what prehistoric record already exists in that place? Get into some books. It is quite curious! You perhaps it had another handle on the other end, then spike end and was used like a spoke shave. Good luck!

[austin]

Think girl. You live in Austin. Run over to UT and check with the anthropology dept. They will identify it or if you are worried just use one of their libraries to look it up. It is limestone if you say it is stone, but check with UT.

[Gunrunner61]

Just a guess, But maybe a hide tool, For scrapping or some other step in the tanning process..JMHO.................HH

[plymouthian12]

I would say something for ceremonial being made of a chalky stone would be strong enough for hide work IMHO

[centfladigger]

I dont know the use for it, it does look altered I have to say that is limestone just like we find in the bottoms of our rivers

[coinshooter]

It obvious! It's a pre-historic "multi-tool".

[naturegirl]

post it in American Indian Artifacts, this forum.....scroll waaaaayyy down to the bottom.

[capsmith]

I think it is a indian artifact.I think it could be a Mace.Identification;Large chipped flint or polish slate,sometimes other material is used,scepter stone.This is just a guess on my part.Try to post this on the artifact forum under American Indian Artifacts, .There are a lot of people that would like to see this and some may be able to tell you something about it.Take care and keep looking.

Just click on American Indian Artifacts, it will take you there

[canadiandigger]

looks like it's made of bone

[charleshudgen]

Well, it's really hard to guess what would be that kind of artifact unless you seek a help from a professional who is knowledgeable in identifying this object. What you have found is really interesting but for you to find out what is your holding to send it to the one who knows about artifacts.

[stphaniesuer]

I think it is a indian artifact.I think it could be a Mace.Identification;Large chipped flint or polish slate,sometimes other material is used,scepter stone.This is just a guess on my part.Try to post this on the artifact forum under American Indian Artifacts, .There are a lot of people that would like to see this and some may be able to tell you something about it.Take care and keep looking.

Just click on American Indian Artifacts, it will take you there

Thank you so much. I have been digging most of my life here in Austin and the Hill Country and this piece is the most amazing piece ever! Thank you very much for your help. I really hope someone can identify it for me.

[cudamark]

looks like it's made of bone

I agree. If it's like chalk or sandstone, it wouldn't hold any kind of edge for cutting or scrapping.

[stphaniesuer]

I received a response from Joel Gunn. Thank you all for your help. I let him know that I really think I should take it to someone that can actually look at it up close and personal. To me there are just to many alterations for it to be just a rock. Can you tell I am a little stubborn? lol
"Hi, Stephanie,

Yes, those were the days. I still have occasional communications with Dick because I am doing some work in the Maya Lowlands. I haven't heard anything about Anne since I visited SA about five years ago but she looked well and busy then.

I haven't done anything with Texas archaeology since I left 20 years ago but the piece you sent photos looks familiar. It is the sort of thing that gets carved out by the drip, drip, drip of solution cavities in the Edwards Limestone. That is not to say that someone 10,000 years ago didn't notice the same thing you did, that it would make a good snail conquer or a decoration for the hearth. Naturally carved stones like this can occur anywhere as the surface of the limestone erodes down. However, if you found it in some kind of context like lying on a pile of chert flakes, you could make some kind of argument. Also, if the edges were examined for tell-tale wear patterns, that might amount to something. Since I now live in North Carolina, I am afraid you will have to wait for that August appointment.

Let me know who says what about it.

Best regards,
Joel