Primitive stone tool in Va?

[Barjr2478]

This was tilled up yesterday by a plow and can not figure out what it is. Was found in central Virginia on our farm. Any ideas?

 

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[Curious The George]

If it is made of stone it could be a pipe preform. If it is made of cast iron it's some part of a farm implement.

 

[Navy Davey]

It looks like an ancient putter head

 

[Barjr2478]

It's definitely not metal. Appears to be soapstone .

 

[releventchair]

Looks like a pipe to me. Congrats!

 

[jewelerguy]

sure looks to be the start of an ancient stone pipe

 

[Plumbata]

Is it soft and easily scratched like soapstone? To me, it looks as if the protruding portion tapers to an edge rather than a cylinder. If this is the case, it might not be a pipe preform, but rather a rare "monolithic" axe, which would have held more of a ceremonial than utilitarian function. If it is a ritual axe or something of the like, then being made of soapstone wouldn't be particularly problematic. Albeit crude relative to the fancier, finely finished and more complex examples, it could be a rather special artifact. It would be nice to get the Virginia/southeast artifact folks to weigh-in here.

 

[Indian Steve]

Is the part that T's off of the main piece sharpened on the end. If sharpened, it could be a small monolithic axe. I have never seen a real one except in books. Really rare if it is. It also looks like a platform pipe but most pipes were drilled before shaping was done. The reason for drilling first is that you are more likely to brake it during drilling that at any other time during making it. You wouldn't spend hours shaping a piece and then risk breaking it while drilling. Only a dummy would do that. This dummy {me}spent several hours carving a platform pipe about the size of yours out of red soapstone only to have the bowl shear off during drilling. I knew better and paid the price.

 

[Barjr2478]

The short end where the 9" ruler end is, is the pointed axe end

 

[Barjr2478]

Maybe a better pic of the end

 

[beez0404]

Very cool whatever it is.

 

[Indian Steve]

Can we get a picture of the end of the piece that is in your hand in the last picture. I can see that the end is tapered on the last picture but it doesn't look like it ground or polished to a sharp edge. I think that this is something really special. I just wish I knew what. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Barjr2478]

A few more pics

 

[ColonialDude]

Thats a pipe preform for sure. Very nice find! And a rare one!