Artifact or fossil?

[moguy]

I picked this up some time last year just outside a steep bluff with lots of caves on our property in Missouri. I first thought it was probably a fossil, but wondered if it could be Native American due to the proximity to several shelter caves where artifacts have been found and springs nearby. I put it on an artifact group on Facebook expressing my doubts as to what it really was and most agreed it was not a fossil. I know very little about either subject and wanted an opinion. I'm not one of those people who are on here trying to make something out of nothing I am just curious and want an informed opinion without too much attitude.

 

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[NCPeaches]

Welcome to the forum! To me it looks like either a incised pottery shard or maybe even a carved soapstone piece. It has the look of soapstone. What general area did you find it in? Are there known Native American sites nearby? Pretty sure it's not a fossil though.

 

[Imfishboy]

I'll go with artifact. No doubt.?

 

[NCPeaches]

I'll go with artifact. No doubt.?

Me too...it's very cool and a great find! If I were moguy I would be looking for more where that one was

 

[moguy]

I found it between doniphan and van Buren MO. We have found a couple of arrowheads and some possible pottery pieces as well near the caves but they aren't really this because I've actually dug a little bit and made a point to look.. Or I could be doing it wrong

 

[moguy]

Thick not this

 

[NCPeaches]

Soapstone shards will be thick and sort of heavy where clay pottery will be lighter in weight. I've found clay shards 1/2" thick. Can we see a pic of the other side of it? As for "doing it wrong" I think you're doing fine probably. I'm a creek hunter and have yet to find anything on dry land lol I would love to see pics of the other things you have found and especially curious about the pottery.

 

[Flatrocker]

I've found several similar "artifacts" here in SC, faces, animals birds etc. Some of the animals i feel were children s toys or the like! Some are made so they will actually rock! For some reason, i think many of the faces are likenesses of humans they know or have encountered! Some will be rougher than others, and like so many things in life, one person's artistic ability may be better or worse than the next. From your picture, i think your artist was pretty good! Just my thoughts on it! Diggin Dave the Flatrocker

 

[moguy]

Here is a picture of one of 3 arrowheads found outside the caves.. The pottery and other arrowhead are in my gun safe and I'll have to dig them out.. Nothing spectacular but an artifact at least.. I posted a new thread over in the caves/spelunking area that shows just how extensive one of the caves is.. I would post pictures here but it's kinda off topic I assume.

 

[monsterrack]

From the photo I think you have a fossil ,in one photo about midway in the piece ,it looks like a small crinoid fossil in the photo on the right on the left side of the piece . Cool find and I bet the caves are great.

 

[Hot diggity]

I agree. Looks like the cross section of some aquatic fossil. Try fossil forum. A few there should recognize it immediately. Might tell you the specimen & age...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

looks like fossil to me as well...

 

[GatorBoy]

I'm thinking fossil snail