axe head?

[Molly_Hatchet]

axe head? i thought I would take advantage of the amazing morning light angles and try to capture the texture. So here are the photos... what do you think?
it was found just under the water by the Farmington River bank in Central Connecticut.

 

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[Charl]

I don't believe it's an axe. It's sandstone, a poor choice of tool stone for an axe. They usually used hardstone. Basalt in southern New England. And it's not the form our axes take.


The question is, is it an artifact at all? Well, many of our region's agricultural tools are made of poor tool stone, like schist and sandstone, for instance. But, even then, you will notice man made work applied to the stone. For example, these sandstone spades from New England. One can see that they have been shaped to a degree, especially chipped along the leading edge or business end. But, looking at your stone, I don't see any indication that it was actually modified or chipped along the edge.


It has the overall shape of some of our cruder agricultural tools, and it gave me pause for that reason. Looks like it has a handle end, and a bit end. Maybe can't rule it out, being pounded worn, and water worn. But I think the path of least resistance is to conclude it's natural, and not an artifact.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

At first glance I thought it may have been a Stone Hoe like the type I find here in my area, but after opening your pictures and looking closer I can that it isn't. It has the overall shape but it lacks any of the flaking, grinding, or use polish that these artifacts always exhibit.

Here's some pictures of some of my hoes so you see what I mean. You can see the edge flaking and grinding to make these and the polish on the ends from extensive use.

 

[monsterrack]

I go along with Grim on that call from the photos

 

[rock]

Man its one of those do I keep it or chunk it. I say keep it till you find another 1 to compare it to. I have found some ugly and I mean ugly stone artifacts and we have plenty of flint here so flip a coin is bout all I can say.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I agree with the others, no sign of any flaking, chipping, grinding and especially polish from use...... Natural rock..

 

[Bow Only]

It has the shape and shows modification along the edges on most sides. The 5th pic shows the bit and it appears to have been modified. The rock wasn't modified very much but it didn't have to be. It doesn't show any signs of use or wear, but it could be an axe.

 

[Molly_Hatchet]

Thank you for ALL of your replies. Ill throw this one in my basket outside - not quite puterite, but not for display either. I have a LOT of rocks (and some intriqing pottery)... I'm trying to hone my eye. Its really difficult to reconcile the difference between being "worked" and "polished". Im sure ive got something here. Ill just post one every day. Today Ill post the next "axe-head" shape... probably an example of looking all polished with no signs of working��

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and helping me to train my eyes. Im in love with that river.