Polished Indian Artifact (Help Identifying)

[PioneerPauly]

I hunt in the areas of the Coast Salish Indians. I have found a few small sharpened rocks of the same material that look similar but all have these ground sharp ends to them (axes or w.e)

My mother found this piece in an area where some of our arrowhead collection came from.. This piece has no sharp ends but is polished and in a symmetrical shape, just missing a bit of one side.

Is this a charm stone, pendant, or some sort of 'art' ?? On the back of it, it has some groove all along it

(non translucent piece)

Thanks.

 

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[The Grim Reaper]

Looks like a possible Cruciform to me. From what I understand those are very rare finds. Awesome find!!

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/north-american-artifacts/283677-cruciform-found-oooooo-yeah.html

Cruciform

 

[PioneerPauly]

Woah okay I never thought of that thanks! Im interested on the other opinions too, you may be dead on!

 

[Tnmountains]

Well you can google and see these post and many from books. I am not seeing one shaped like yours or any with the grove to the back. It is almost as if the stone had been "set" into something. Any idea on the material ? Very interesting item.

 

[rock]

Ive never seen one like it before. Thanks for the show of it and welcome to the site, rock

 

[PioneerPauly]

Yeah ive been trying to figure out if a stick was in the groove or what hut im having no luck in google. Ill try again later. Thanks!

 

[PioneerPauly]

Thanks Rock. Its got me so lost lol. Ive been on this site before when I put up some of my collection. ill figure what it is eventually

 

[unclemac]

remember too that the Coast Salish were mighty wood carvers, this could be some sort of bit for wood working....

 

[PioneerPauly]

That is very true! That might explain why im not finding much online. I dont often see much when I lookup anything from the Coast Salish.. Once im positive what it may be, this forum will be solved but until then I admire all thoughts! Thanks alot Unclemac!

 

[NC field hunter]

That is one heck of a find. I have never heard of a cruciform.

 

[rock]

I was thinking maybe a game piece of sorts.

 

[joshuaream]

remember too that the Coast Salish were mighty wood carvers, this could be some sort of bit for wood working....

Good answer.

It looks like a small unsharpened jade/nephrite adze bit from the way they cut and split it. Most of the tool grade stuff isn't translucent, especially the black varieties.

Here is a larger adze head that shows the cut mark from splitting it.

 

[PioneerPauly]

Oh okay yeah I see what your saying it just looks like its been worked on all sides to stay rounded. The groove is really well smooth as well. I also think its the same polished black basalt ive been finding for my axes/adzes.

Thats a nice piece by the way! I have a smaller one like that, that has the same split but now I guess I know why its there.

Thanks for the help Joshuaream!