✅ SOLVED Ancient iron? Unlikely. So then what the heck is this?

[Wandermore91]

To my surprise I found this in a creek. I’m completely puzzled as to what it is. Please do not tell me that it is a natural rock, or that it is not in your handbook so it isn’t an artifact. It may be unfinished, and unclassified, but it’s clearly modified for a purpose and I am racking my brain trying to figure out what that could’ve been. Has anyone seen a stone piece anything quite like this before? A google search failed me. That’s when I know I’ve got something quite good. This piece was clearly worked over for a long time. The grooved edge goes completely around the top and this stone was intricately flared, angled and narrowed perplexingly enough into a shape, well... like an iron! 🤔






Large and heavy


May be unfinished in back but it is very interesting like this as you can see the natural texture of the stone contrasted against the worked stone

Underside

 

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[1320]

Well, since you're going to be upset with my answer I won't give one....lol. It's been my experience that if one has to rack his/her brain to make a decision, chances are it's not an artifact. I realize your confidence in Google however, if you can't find it in a search engine or handbook, there's probably a very good reason why.

 

[Kray Gelder]

Strap-on Native American version of the concrete shoes so popular in New Jersey, in certain professions.

 

[Wandermore91]

Well, since you're going to be upset with my answer I won't give one....lol. It's been my experience that if one has to rack his/her brain to make a decision, chances are it's not an artifact. I realize your confidence in Google however, if you can't find it in a search engine or handbook, there's probably a very good reason why.

I’m not upset it just bums me out that people truly believe we could have everything they ever made or used documented, when there are probably so many one of a kind items with significant uses that we are writing off. There are no two stones alike so who says all artifacts have to look like they came out of a cookie cutter? I mean come on. Not saying I know what this is, and I did not expect to find it on google although I know I have recognized some rarities on there after “experts” have told me I had nothing... it’s just inconceivable to me to call this nothing. It is obviously man made. I’m not even asking for confirmation of that, I’m confident in it. I’m just wondering what people see it being used for. Thanks. I’m about one sarcastic/ignorant post away from seeking a new site lol. People need to get their heads out of their books and use their imaginations sometimes. I truly believe the Native Americans would appreciate that.

Artifact: An artifact is ANY object made, modified or used by people.

 

[1320]

Uh, this site is probably the kindest that you'll find. Some of the other sites will chew you up over an "artifact" like this one. Your photos don't show the "obviously man made", perhaps it is, just can't see it in these images. You may be right, you're holding it and have a much better feel for it. I for one, cannot see it being used for anything. No use wear, no pecking, no polish, no witness marks, no grinding, no even/smooth surfaces. It's not a shape that repeats in the Native American artifact record.

 

[jmaschal]

Artifacts have use and purpose - would would be the purpose of this object - I agree the piece has been worked - worked by water not man

 

[Mine Shaft]

Send it to a Authentication service they charge about $20.00 and $12.00 shipping, they have the equipment to test the stone and see if it has been worked by human hands. Good luck.

 

[IAMZIM]

Don't be angry at me, but this is what I see with your rock, which to my eye appears to be a Mozanite Granite. You will need to click the image to read it. It's not that great a drawing, I know, I'm much better with a pencil than the paint program on the computer! I truly believe your rock is completely, naturally eroded.

 

[monsterrack]

I have to agree with you on the point that we don't know everything, but when an item has been made by human hands it show certain things. Chipping , pecking or a smooth texture to it and this item does not show any of them from the photo's that I see. Nature can make some stuff that will make anyone pick things up, but with time in the field and holding items that have been altered by man you learn what to look for. This item show a weathered outside shaped by water, sand and time. Welcome to T-net

 

[The Grim Reaper]

So I guess I just won't give an answer.

 

[arrow86]

I really think natural as well the diagram from IAMZIM is what I thought of when I first saw it as well . One of the beaches I hunt has a ton of larger rocks made from an iron type material and it creates some really different and unique looking shapes that look man made but they are all natural.

 

[Charl]

It's likely you simply don't have enough experience with rocks, geology, and rocks that have been modified by humans, or picked up and utilized by humans, artifacts. There's always a learning curve, and it's true, you will get the same responses on any of the several artifact forums. Most of us with experience, in my own case 60 years worth collecting rocks, artifacts, and fossils, are not reaching for guidebooks to see if your rock matches a certain class of artifact. Experience becomes second nature eventually. Yes, there are objects that require closer examination. And no, we are not perfect in our knowledge. But to answer your initial question directly, yes indeed, I have seen plenty of similar rocks. Do you have years and years and years of experience with rocks and artifacts? If the answer is no, then it would be a mistake to decide, "well, I'll just go try a different site". Nope, the answer is you need to build up experience. You need to learn. It can take time. The learning curve varies with the individual. In this instance, you're mistaken. It's a rock.

 

[smokeythecat]

It could be something someone started a long time ago, but it is not a finished piece.

 

[Charl]

And BTW, I've been hunting the same region as yourself for some 60 years. And I helped you identify the artifacts in your initial thread on 2/20. I won't steer you wrong. Not to sound arrogant, but I can help you with New England artifacts as well as anyone on the web. Not bragging, that's just a fact.

 

[kingskid1611]

It was used for cracking nuts. So they could eat them. I would have picked it up and kept it.......

 

[Wandermore91]

Don't be angry at me, but this is what I see with your rock, which to my eye appears to be a Mozanite Granite.View attachment 1554060 You will need to click the image to read it. It's not that great a drawing, I know, I'm much better with a pencil than the paint program on the computer! I truly believe your rock is completely, naturally eroded.

I am open to all of your opinions and I appreciate them much more than a sarcastic or quick dismissal comment that doesn’t really offer me anything so thank you everybody who has chimed in. I especially appreciate that you took the time to draw this diagram which is something that I did not consider but makes a lot of sense. However, I found this rock laying sideways which I know does not mean that it was always in that position but it was among two other rocks of the same texture which appeared to be rough but possible axe heads. In the case this rock was actually eroded like that by the water wouldn’t the bottom be left preserved and smooth in its original texture like the pieces on the backside of it? Being under the mud I would think it would be protected from the rush of the water. The bottom of this stone is raw just like the front and sides of it. Another issue I have with accepting this explanation is that the remaining surface of the stone that did not chip off either by erosion or water is not smooth edged. Would such strong erosion like that not smooth the entire stone like any river rock? I know it is not a smooth texture but why does this mean that it wasn’t created, maybe it just wasn’t a tool they used much friction on. I will show you a closer photo of the texture and of the other two rocks of very similar texture. One of them was on the bank of the creek where it was not exposed to water. Yet has the same exact look. I’m not trying to be fresh and I know I may sound stubborn, but I would like to explore all of the possibilities before accepting a no answer. I am very open to learning and that is what I am hoping to do here. You have already taught me a few things in the few short days I have been on the forum and for that I’m grateful. Please check out the next set of photos. If it doesn’t make you say “hmm” or reconsider even slightly then I’ll rest my case. Thank you!




If this was all work of erosion and rushing water would it actually have remained that rough? The creek it was in is only a few inches deep and a few inches wide. Although the water was quick moving shallow banks tell me it couldn’t get all that deep.


Is this the work of water as well? Is there no chance those could be pecking marks? The ridge?




I might go really crazy and present the idea that maybe these were intended to be hafted






All found together.

 

[Wandermore91]

It was used for cracking nuts. So they could eat them. I would have picked it up and kept it.......

So you see it too. In fact I dug an oblong flat but curved stone out of the bank of the river by these three items which appeared to be some kind of mortar but it was not smooth, the surface matched these rocks. Perhaps that was significant and I should’ve grabbed it, too. I’ll go back.

 

[justonemore]

Wasting your breath and time folks. He's right, you're all wrong. Time to move on. You win Wander!

 

[Wandermore91]

Wasting your breath and time folks. He's right, you're all wrong. Time to move on. You win Wander!

You sir are a martyr and a friend! Lol Who are you people who are giving me a chance and the benefit of the doubt? Would you please elaborate for everyone? Do you know what these items are? Please enlighten us!!! Thank you

 

[jmaschal]

Probably pointless to post but no one is judging you, judging the information you provided and the pictures. Obviously your set on your opinion and more power to you but trying to save some money and time for you to ask an authentication service. To educate authentication services base authentications on historical finds and precedence that’s already set. Good luck and hope you find the answers you seek and some real artifacts in the future.