Small mortar?

[nickcoin]

Can someone help me identify these. These were found at a bluff site near Hermann MO. Limestone bluff, decent outcropping, small cave, and a lot of bowling ball sized flint boulders. There is also a very large rock that had fallen from the ceiling long ago and it had the same kind of pecked at depressions. 4-5 different diameters. Thanks

 

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[rock]

Too perfect for a mortar. Might be for starting fires with maybe.

 

[GTK96]

Nutting stones as best I can tell

 

[GatorBoy]

If there were any large pieces like that fallen one you mentioned with multiple impressions like those in it I would definitely say those are natural and broke off of a larger section long ago. Standing water over long periods of time create divots like that.

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[nickcoin]

If there were any large pieces like that fallen one you mentioned with multiple impressions like those in it I would definitely say those are natural and broke off of a larger section long ago. Standing water over long periods of time create divots like that.

I hear ya, but it's not water. This rock is large enough for more than several people to sit on. The Depressions are the same size as the ones I'm showing with a couple of smaller ones. The area around them is as smooth at the handheld one's. the rest of the rock is rough. The site is well covered and I've been there when its raining and the rock is dry. Thanks for the help.

 

[GatorBoy]

Nice finds

 

[nickcoin]

And then the help got a little smug. I didn't say anything about them being everywhere. I found exactly two handheld ones. View Image Data
"Why would they have more than one on a large stone?" CalPhotos: Indian mortar and pestle in grinding rock at Mariposa Museum, California