Indian Artifact or What?

[rock]

Ok well I posted this up earlier in the what page cause I thought it was an early cannonball. Cannonballman said no. So what do you people think that it might be? I bought it in N Fl. and was told it was a dig find. Found west of Tallahassee on the Cocohatchee river. It is 3 inches tall completely well rounded and smooth. Its heavy for its size and is made of clay (at least on the outside). It was bought by the person I got it from in a large Artifact collection. I have no idea except for game ball but it is rather large IMO for one. Any ideas would be great and the age would help. Thanks rock It has a impact fracture on one side.

 

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[stefen]

Probably a 'What'...

 

[GatorBoy]

That's alot larger than I thought it was when you first told me. I have no Idea what that could be.. botchi ball.. cricket... huh?

 

[Glenn C]

I believe they were used in mills. Does it have what seems to be a circle on it going around about a third off the way down.

 

[NC field hunter]

Did it come from a creek? And does it seem hollow ? An old man from the WV. Mountains (like WV has flat land) tried to trade the Folsom in my avatar for 2 balls like that and a nice native pipe. He told me the balls were found secured in a creek, only 3 were found and they contained paint. He busted one, and found paint perfectly preserved in it. I did not trade, and the balls are now in a museum in WV. I saw them a couple months back. Just so happened to see a sign advertising a native museum on my way to KY. And went back to it. The old fellows name I won't say, was under the two pieces. I think that is what you have, but can't promise!

 

[rock]

I believe they were used in mills. Does it have what seems to be a circle on it going around about a third off the way down.

Yeah now that I look at it. Kinda like a line around the middle Goes all the way around it almost like a very slight ridge.

 

[rock]

Did it come from a creek? And does it seem hollow ? An old man from the WV. Mountains (like WV has flat land) tried to trade the Folsom in my avatar for 2 balls like that and a nice native pipe. He told me the balls were found secured in a creek, only 3 were found and they contained paint. He busted one, and found paint perfectly preserved in it. I did not trade, and the balls are now in a museum in WV. I saw them a couple months back. Just so happened to see a sign advertising a native museum on my way to KY. And went back to it. The old fellows name I won't say, was under the two pieces. I think that is what you have, but can't promise!

Well you know when people want to sell things they have bought and arent sure they will say anything. It is heavy but yes they said river dug.

 

[NC field hunter]

Well you know when people want to sell things they have bought and arent sure they will say anything. It is heavy but yes they said river dug.

No this guy was a huge collector, and only personal finds. He would not have lied . The two he had were darker in color and made of hard clay. You could thump them and tell they were not completely hollow. Kinda like a water melon type thump to them. They were strange, too strange for me to trade. I will not trade my nice personal finds. I don't like for things to leave home by far, they lose their relevance and just become another Clovis or what ever it is at hand. I have never bought, sold, nor traded any thing. I have and will give things away every so often, but ask that they be labeled Person Co. NC find. Just for reference to prevent future confusion.

 

[Glenn C]

http://www.made-in-china.com/showro...Brs/China-Ceramic-Balls-for-Ball-Milling.html

Here are unused ones. Yours was discarded because of chip. There is probably a old mill up river. If that's the case.

 

[rock]

No this guy was a huge collector, and only personal finds. He would not have lied . The two he had were darker in color and made of hard clay. You could thump them and tell they were not completely hollow. Kinda like a water melon type thump to them. They were strange, too strange for me to trade. I will not trade my nice personal finds. I don't like for things to leave home by far, they lose their relevance and just become another Clovis or what ever it is at hand. I have never bought, sold, nor traded any thing. I have and will give things away every so often, but ask that they be labeled Person Co. NC find. Just for reference to prevent future confusion.

Not your guy, the person I bought it from.

 

[rock]

Ceramic Balls for Ball Milling - China Ball Mill,Ceramic Ball

Here are unused ones. Yours was discarded because of chip. There is probably a old mill up river. If that's the case.

Looks close to what I got but mine has the feel of a line in the middle and goes all the way a round it. So if it is a mill stone I guess it isnt old then?

 

[Glenn C]

Could be 50-60 years old. They wear down when grinding together.

 

[rock]

I see and it sounds correct. How big were these type of balls and were they heavy? I saw a thread that some people thought these type of balls were made by the ancients and destroyed them cause they believed they had gold in the middle. Wouldnt that be nice
Before I check the middle I want to make sure it isnt an artifact.
Thanks for your help.

 

[NC field hunter]

Not your guy, the person I bought it from.

No. His is in a museum. What did the guy below me say they were? I'm curious to know!

 

[rock]

Well I just put it under my MD and it doesnt beep. So no metal is in it. Feels chalky though.

 

[Bum Luck]

croquet?

 

[GatorBoy]

Now your thinkin

 

[rock]

croquet?

Nice idea! I just looked and no the old ones have a lot of ridges on them and are wooden. This thing is heavy and solid. I guess between a baseball and a softball in size. Just heavy like stone but feels kinda chalky where the damage is at. The old croquet balls are worth $200 plus and are nice in color not white. Thanks for the thought though it was worth a try. Keep thinking and maybe I will find out.

 

[Glenn C]

Here you go. I just got back from work. This is the photo same balls which are heavy as well. I acually though they were grenade artifacts. I was about to smash one as well...lol..Anyway

 

[rock]

Here you go. I just got back from work. This is the photo same balls which are heavy as well. I acually though they were grenade artifacts. I was about to smash one as well...lol..Anyway
View attachment 673983

So what are those then? Milling balls?