Carved wooden something

[iamsherlocked333]

Found in the North Saskatchewan River (Alberta). The area is littered with other artifacts eg. projectiles, stone tools, etc...

 

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[Digger RJ]

Found in the North Saskatchewan River (Alberta). The area is littered with other artifacts eg. projectiles, stone tools, etc...

Interesting! Congrats!!

 

[vpnavy]

Since you are really asking "what it is" - I moved you over to from TODAY'S FINDS! over to WHAT IS IT? for more exposure.

 

[ColtsPop]

It isn't particularly old, it would not have been preserved that long if wood unless frozen or in an area where it wouldn't be exposed to elements (cave, overhang). I have seen these before and I believe they are 1700s-1800s art, and possibly Native American.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

This is an interesting find.
I might suggest contacting or emailing one of the museums in Alberta who specialize in Native American artifacts for more information.
Dave

Museum of Aboriginal Peoples' Art and Artifacts
Museum Director: Donna Feledichuk
Chief Curator: Joseph Sánchez,
Contact: 780-623-6693

Royal Alberta Museum
9810 103a Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
Contact: 825-468-6000

 

[Kray Gelder]

My first thought was it is a tool handle, that split length-wise.

 

[Gare]

My Thoughts are in line with kray Gelder

 

[CHERTSEEKER]

Hot dang, I would love to come search this location with you... Very interesting find indeed, and very well could be a First Nations artifact. Have you had any luck in identifying the base material?
I'm entertaining the ideas of the gents above of the tool handle theory, I'm having a hard time with what type of tool this would be a handle for, looking at the pic's.
Really trying to imagine what the other half of this handle would look like...would it be the female half of what we're looking at now? And if so, the two handles would mesh together to be lashed together, how would there be any way for a tool to be held between with that ridge that runs from stem to stern? I'm imagining a tang type tool, but what would the tang look like? I don't know, I'd like to see the piece up close. What are your thoughts?

 

[iamsherlocked333]

Hot dang, I would love to come search this location with you... Very interesting find indeed, and very well could be a First Nations artifact. Have you had any luck in identifying the base material?
I'm entertaining the ideas of the gents above of the tool handle theory, I'm having a hard time with what type of tool this would be a handle for, looking at the pic's.
Really trying to imagine what the other half of this handle would look like...would it be the female half of what we're looking at now? And if so, the two handles would mesh together to be lashed together, how would there be any way for a tool to be held between with that ridge that runs from stem to stern? I'm imagining a tang type tool, but what would the tang look like? I don't know, I'd like to see the piece up close. What are your thoughts?

I'm having a difficult time seeing this as a part of a tool handle based on how intricate the work is. I had it suggested that it could be a part of a "Medicine Stick", or ceremonial object of some sort. The inside has been carved out so clearly something went into it or through it and i was wondering if that something could have been decorative as well like tassels.
As for the base material i dont have the slightest idea, im not sure if the wood has turned black due to mineralization (which i doubt cause ive never seen wood in the water take on this colour before in this area) or if it was heat treated by fire. This piece has definitely left me with more questions than answers.

 

[GoldieLocks]

could you take a photo with a clear light shining on it so we can see it better please?
I agree that it cannot be that old.

 

[CHERTSEEKER]

I too would like some more pic's, taken outside against a good background

 

[Jack873]

Are you sure that it's made of wood? It somewhat looks like rubber to me. Certain types of rubber can become very hard with age and could be mistaken for wood. Could it be part of a tractor pedal or foot rest?

 

[HuntinDog]

I think what you have is a split piece of a bicycle pedal.

 

[Kray Gelder]

I think what you have is a split piece of a bicycle pedal.

I believe you're right!