Artifact or Natural: tough call!

[OntarioArch]

This piece was included in a box of authentic artifacts with Canadian Borden Number references printed on each. Associated paperwork in the box indicates the dig was University sponsored and took place in late 1950's. The site was designated as "BiGa " which I believe puts it in Ontario, just north of Michigan state. The archeologist obviously thought the piece was an artifact because he labled it and framed it.

I'm just not convinced: Am I really seeing individual peck marks - 'dimple shapes in the rock' - or just the natural textture of this rock? Yes, the blade end sure seems very symmetrical. I currently have this item in my 'it's probably a natural rock' pile, but the fact that a pro archeology labled it with a Borden Number and framed it has me re-thinking my thinking.

Opinions welcomed! And thank you

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[fishstick]

Looks natural to me. Just cuz an archie says it's something doesn't carry much water with me. Cool looking tho

 

[CreekSide]

If it is a artifact I would have to say a Hoe. I’ve found uglier ones that show use wear

 

[newnan man]

Ugly hoes are everywhere!

 

[vonfatman]

It looks like a spade. No ears.

It's a cool rock. Made to be easily hafted.

It could also be a large scraping tool.

vfm

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Looks natural to me, if it was a hoe with much use there should be some kind of polish or surface wear on bit, and the surface texture looks uniform over entire piece.

 

[OntarioArch]

Looks natural to me, if it was a hoe with much use there should be some kind of polish or surface wear on bit, and the surface texture looks uniform over entire piece.

Me too.

 

[old digger]

With visible work on photo #3 and #4, and it's flat surface I can see it being utilized as some type of tool.

 

[CreekSide]

The bit has a Adze shape on it but of course it could of been found in a campsite and never been completed. I found a Celt preform and every time I pick it up I always say all it needed was a bit then set it back down.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The bit has a Adze shape on it but of course it could of been found in a campsite and never been completed. I found a Celt preform and every time I pick it up I always say all it needed was a bit then set it back down.

On the 20+ years I walked the creeks, streams and fields in Missouri I found many rocks that were in the general shape of celts, and adzes, but were natural.

 

[vonfatman]

I agree - lots of celt-looking rocks in the creeks we muddy.

vfm

 

[ToddsPoint]

Unfinished Celt. The whole thing has been completely pecked. I’ve made artifacts by pecking and there is no doubt in my mind. This is an axe I was pecking when I hit a crack and stopped working on it. The arkie that labeled the OPs rock it was spot on.

 

[vonfatman]

We have lots of hard-rock pecking in this area.

vfm

 

[scruggs]

Keep it, we will never know for sure!

 

[OntarioArch]

Unfinished Celt. The whole thing has been completely pecked. I’ve made artifacts by pecking and there is no doubt in my mind. This is an axe I was pecking when I hit a crack and stopped working on it. The arkie that labeled the OPs rock it was spot on. View attachment 2113810

That surface sure is interesting. Looks a whole lot like mine; different from what I had expected based on other hardstone artifacts I had see. Thanks for the photo and insight.

 

[Fred250]

Posted these earlier but got moved.If someone posted these pieces from the book of a famous archaeologist they would be ridiculed.

 

[RGINN]

That would be one you'd have to be there when it was found. It does go to the context in which it was found, the culture in that area and what type of tools they used, and I would look at whether the material was native to that area or brought in