Metattis, manos, nutting stones??

[digordie]

Been finding tons of these type of stones with obvious flat sides multidirectional grooves/ scratch patterns. Are these indeed artifacts? Finding them mostly in creeks as well as in the dirt sluffing into the creeks. Also have found arrowheads with them. Many of them are perfectly flat on two sides with grinding grooves flowing in two diff directions from one side to another.

 

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[kuger]

from what I can see,no,I see nothing that causes me to believe any of those are man made...man modified

 

[Get-the-point]

I agree with Kugar. Is your location within the area of glacial coverage during the ice age? I ask this because as the rocks got trapped they were forcefully pushed within the glacier. When they came in contact with other stones they would grind past it and cause those scratches.

 

[quito]

I have to agree with the rest. GTP is right on about the wear from glacial activity/motion. I find lots of rocks with divits like those. If they had been used, the rim of the cupped area should be ground pretty smooth. I still bring them home and add to my rock garden though, as they are pretty cool.

Joel

 

[old digger]

Mano's, when used will be worn smooth, and will not show any grooves/scratches.

 

[rock]

I think the 2nd piece is a nice flint chunk. They would have to be dry for me to know for sure.

 

[digordie]

So are these stones found everywhere? Like in florida and texas etc? Im finding them in west central illinois.

 

[rock]

Yeah I find stones with lines on them here that are natural. But a dry view and wet view helps on the I.D. of a stone type.

 

[digordie]

Yeah I find stones with lines on them here that are natural. But a dry view and wet view helps on the I.D. of a stone type.

What state are you in?

 

[Get-the-point]

He's in Georgia Digordie. You were in the heart of glacial activity so you will find a lot of examples like that. However I would like to see more pictures of the one cupped stone with the red on it. It looks like paint not sure and wondering if maybe that had use.....

 

[digordie]

He's in Georgia Digordie. You were in the heart of glacial activity so you will find a lot of examples like that. However I would like to see more pictures of the one cupped stone with the red on it. It looks like paint not sure and wondering if maybe that had use.....

The red came from a small red rock that i had in the sack that bled like crazy onto some of the other rocks. Here are more picks though. One has like a perfect thumb hold area that looks worked to me.

 

[rock]

Did you find the red rock in that area of the other rocks? Can we see a pic of it if you did? Might be Hematite.

 

[digordie]

Did you find the red rock in that area of the other rocks? Can we see a pic of it if you did? Might be Hematite.

I did but i gave it to one of the scouts. We were on a campout!!

 

[rock]

So in your avatar pic.........did you find those?

 

[digordie]

So in your avatar pic.........did you find those?

No i saw those at a show and had to take a pic.

 

[Tnmountains]

They are natural but are very cool and worthy of the garden or even better yet a scout. You are in a good area but those can be very deceiving unless found with other artifacts. My guess is that many were actually used by early man because of the massive man hours required to peck a simple cupulet. I always liked your Avatar. Nice seeing you back.
HH
TnMtns

 

[digordie]

Thanks guys for all of your input on these rocks. Guess i will have to keep looking but thats the fun part anyway.

 

[BJS in Iowa]

Here is a link with some information on the "suitcase axe". I've seen it a few times at shows in SE IA and it is very impressive. A Doctor in SE Iowa owns it. Hawkeye State Archaeological Society of Iowa website

I researched a little a while back on the rocks with the holes your showing. They are a geologic formation called omarolluks deposited by glacier from Hudsons Bay area. I've found many of them and always bring them home. I now have an "omar" collection. I think they are cool. The first I found, I too, thought it was a nutting stone. I'm right across the river from West Central IL, in Southeast IA. Wikipedia link: Omarolluk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also find grooved rocks like you have and have carried a lot home hoping they were artifacts but I think the others are correct in that they were groved by movement within glaciers.

Brad

 

[digordie]

Here is a link with some information on the "suitcase axe". I've seen it a few times at shows in SE IA and it is very impressive. A Doctor in SE Iowa owns it. Hawkeye State Archaeological Society of Iowa website

I researched a little a while back on the rocks with the holes your showing. They are a geologic formation called omarolluks deposited by glacier from Hudsons Bay area. I've found many of them and always bring them home. I now have an "omar" collection. I think they are cool. The first I found, I too, thought it was a nutting stone. I'm right across the river from West Central IL, in Southeast IA. Wikipedia link: Omarolluk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also find grooved rocks like you have and have carried a lot home hoping they were artifacts but I think the others are correct in that they were groved by movement within glaciers.

Brad

Hey .. thanks for that info. We should hook up sometime. Id love to see your collection. Im always looking for good hopewell sights in search of copper artifacts. Know of any in iowa? I enjoy using a metal detector while artifact hunting.