Bone with primitive turtle or fish carving

[TGC]

I found this ancient looking bone in a creek that empties into the lower Meramec River, near St.Louis MO.

After soaking in soapy water overnight and lightly scrubbing, the following carving began to appear. It looks like a turtle or a fish to me. How about you?

I thought it was a fish at first, but after looking at it more closely I think it looks more like an alligator snapping turtle to me. I would catch huge alligator snapping turtles in that same stretch of creek that I found the bone in 30 years ago.

I thank you all for any insight gained from this forum. Aside from gaining more historical perspective, I would also like to know how I should proceed with a deeper cleaning of the bone.

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[arrow86]

Don’t let imagination get the best of you it’s just natural erosion not a carving

 

[Deep1]

I agree with Arrow, looks natural.
While I'm far from an expert and in a case like this, it's not possible to make an accurate assessment by looking at pics.
I see very little that would indicate a manmade carving.

To answer you question about cleaning.
Try an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda.
Soak it for awhile to soften dirt, then clean with brush and paste.

I would love to be wrong.
Maybe, there's something there.

 

[TGC]

Thanks.

 

[A2coins]

Good to ask there are so many rocks if you look at the long enough will seem to have a picture or carving on them

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Keep at it you find a nice piece in the future!