Is this a game ball?

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

 

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[rock]

Where was it found?

 

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

Pennsylvania on my property

 

[rock]

Water or dirt

 

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

Dug out of the dirt

 

[NCPeaches]

It's really cool!

 

[BLK HOLE]

What the heck is it??

 

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

Is it quartz?

 

[smokeythecat]

Depends on what part of PA. Calcite is white and is easily carveable. Quartz will scratch glass. Calcite will not and I think yes to a game ball assuming there are other artifacts in the general area.

 

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

it scratched glass

 

[Geobound]

It looks like an old Bocce ball to me?

Cool find.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

If looks like milk glass or maybe ceramic so it's either an old Marble or possibly tumbling media.

 

[Unitedstatesofamerica1]

Its cold like a rock it can scratch glass and metal on a knife

 

[dognose]

It is an earthenware marble.


Made of clay, sometimes found in early historic sites.


These marbles are often white, but sometimes a grayish tan. I find mostly white, but have found one grey.


I find these where old log cabins where, or very old farm house properties. The early settlers often camped and lived in the same locations as native Americans. For a reason. It was more than likley a good location, close to water, high enough not to flood and protected from the elements.

 

[ptsofnc]

I have found around 10-12 of these at my grandpa"s old homeplace. I've been told by some folks that they were NA. And told by some that they were made by early settlers (Moravians) in this area. I tend to believe that they were made by early settlers not NA. I might be wrong, but I think I might be right. I throw pottery as a hobby. My finds are definitely fired clay.

 

[Yak1366]

I'm probably going to get pounded by this group, but I have to ask.

I found a clay marble a while back in an area where I previously posted about point finds I have made.
I then searched for "clay marble" online and got many results/images that matched exactly. Half the results were called "Indian Marbles".

Is there a way to distinguish between who made them?

 

[rock]

I'm probably going to get pounded by this group, but I have to ask.

I found a clay marble a while back in an area where I previously posted about point finds I have made.
I then searched for "clay marble" online and got many results/images that matched exactly. Half the results were called "Indian Marbles".

Is there a way to distinguish between who made them?

Most game stones will not be a perfect round stone. If it is perfectly round it is most likely modern made in a mold. If it is NA it would of been shaped by hand and most arent perfectly made and dont have a seam. A archy explained that to me and it made lots of sense.

 

[Yak1366]

Ok then, a couple more questions if I may ask...

1) Unitedstatesofamerica1, can you provide a diameter & weight measurement? Any do you feel your piece is fired clay or stone?
2) Is there any definitive evidence regarding which culture is first credited for creating the clay marble?

 

[dognose]

A native american ball often will be made of hardstone such as granite, or flint. I have found both, most of which have some of the peck marks still visible.


Here is a pecked and ground granite ball. Note how much larger than the marble.


then here is a pecked and ground flint ball, almost three inches in diameter, about 2.5 inches I recon.




Finally here is a ball made of clay tempered with shell, you could see this in the earlier post. But the size may have rendered it un-recognizable



The common theme of mine here is they are not made of clay. I have found smaller balls, but most I believe to be native American made are larger than marble size.

 

[Yak1366]

So pecked is, without question, man made?
And are these types you posted, found in the size of USA1's specimen?