Ceremonial or functional? What is it?

[GOLDandSilver]

Hi, long story short I was helping a friend go through his recently deceased brother's rocks. I was initially excited to help him as I am a huge rock hound and my friend said there were thousands of rocks, but upon getting started it sorta turned that his brother (bless his heart) loved rocks, he really loved rocks so he picked up almost any rock and kept it. I made short work of what we had with us, there is more in TN to go through. There were a few broken points and one outstanding scraper, and then there was this....it was his latest find prior to his sudden passing. We think it was found in TN, but cannot say 100 percent as he was a lineman and did travel a bit. I took a few quick snaps with my iPhone so sorry about the crappy quality. I cannot see that there was any knaping on the edges which makes me think ceremonial, but I cannot find anything similar except a few ceremonial things in Japan. All opinions welcome!!! It weighs about 3 pounds, type of stone? don't know. It sure feels nice in the hand though~

 

[SemperFind]

It caught your attention, just like it did to his brother. Just a rock, and a fugly one at that.

 

[GOLDandSilver]

It caught your attention, just like it did to his brother. Just a rock, and a fugly one at that.

Dude, thanks for your kind reply...it's been worked, it just does not have the sharp edges one would expect from a weapon. Next?

 

[GOLDandSilver]

Great, I have to get a world class on my thread straightway.

Above are ceremonial tools from Japan.

 

[GOLDandSilver]

I'm just going to report all the mean posts. That isn't what I'm here for. I've been doing this for longer than most of you have been alive. I know a worked stone when I see one. OK? I do not recognize this form, that is why I am here. Now, if you can knock off the crap, or perhaps some people with actual knowledge can pop in and discuss that would be great. Otherwise bugger off will you? I can't believe the first post after mine is some flametard.

 

[TimeWaster]

Snake effigy? Looks sort of like limestone. Take more pics of both sides and closer up to see where it may be worked. Cool find.

 

[GOLDandSilver]

Snake effigy? Looks sort of like limestone. Take more pics of both sides and closer up to see where it may be worked. Cool find.

It's the same on both sides, where my hand is, is smooth as glass. It does look like limestone, but it has no pitting at all. Without a scope I cannot 100% tell if the edges were actually knaped or not but it could have been and been worn smooth. This was found in dirt, not water, the guy was a rock collector, not an artifact collector although he did have a few NA artifacts. He also had an awesome bunch of raw obsidian too. I should have brought it home with me but left it at my friends. I will get it later and take more photos. I am going to take it to the paleo dept. of my local uni. The dip in the center is interesting too as is the shape of the top. NO way this is a natural stone

 

[arrowman]

My opinion is it's a geofact.

 

[theviking]

I don't think anyone was trying to be mean, maybe just trying to be funny.. Nothing about this piece says artifact to me. Looks like a natural rock.

 

[SemperFind]

I don't think anyone was trying to be mean, maybe just trying to be funny.. Nothing about this piece says artifact to me. Looks like a natural rock.

Thank you. Happy Saturday. Nothing about it says ceremonial, everything about it says an ugly rock. You say it's worked, well then how is it worked exactly? Does it have a polish on the end? Okay there you have it........if it's polished on the end then it may just be an ugly ass grinder, but other than that its NOTHING that belongs in this forum (like almost everything else I see here), and it sure as heck isn't ceremonial. BTW, your carpet needs a good cleaning.

 

[Tnmountains]

Hey Gold and Silver. I live in Tn and agree it looks like limestone. We often find weird pieces worn down by water. I agree that it is a geofact. It looks like it should be something but is natural. Thanks for sharing though. Maces and ceremonial items are usually shaped like this in Tn.Hope this helps.

 

[IlliniGuy]

Well you did ask for all opinions. It is a natural rock. I can see no sign of human modification.

 

[GatorBoy]

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=764256"/>

Great, I have to get a world class peckerhead on my thread straightway.

Above are ceremonial tools from Japan.

Haha.. I feel your pain belive me
Honestly I don't think it has been made into that shape by a person.

 

[justonemore]

Could be the petrified leg of a lamb, or a ...................................................................................rock.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I have to agree with the majority and say it's just a natural formation. Limestone can weather into some very odd shapes.

 

[GOLDandSilver]

Hey Gold and Silver. I live in Tn and agree it looks like limestone. We often find weird pieces worn down by water. I agree that it is a geofact. It looks like it should be something but is natural. Thanks for sharing though. Maces and ceremonial items are usually shaped like this in Tn.Hope this helps.

View attachment 764297

I don't disagree that it COULD be a geofact (of which again, I am familiar) it is the resemblance to the Japanese ceremonial artifacts that has intrigued me and the way it feels in the hand. It feels ground down the the mortars we find. No one has addressed the Japanese ceremonial artifacts as yet and they certainly don't "look like anything that belongs in this forum" and yet they are in a museum. I'm gonna have a paleo person check it out just to be certain. This was not found in water, it was dug up during a line operation so water is not responsible for the smoothness. I just wasn't expecting the trolltards to jump in there straight off with nasty remarks (seriously did they think that was funny? If so they've been digging in the dirt for too long) without any discussion at all.

 

[GatorBoy]

Have you looked at the edges under magnification? Regardless of the resemblance to something in Japan... Evidence of grinding will be clearly visible if that had been ground into that shape.
Also... if it is limestone it is impossible for water not to have been a part of its creation.

 

[Charl]

I don't disagree that it COULD be a geofact (of which again, I am familiar) it is the resemblance to the Japanese ceremonial artifacts that has intrigued me and the way it feels in the hand. It feels ground down the the mortars we find. No one has addressed the Japanese ceremonial artifacts as yet and they certainly don't "look like anything that belongs in this forum" and yet they are in a museum. I'm gonna have a paleo person check it out just to be certain. This was not found in water, it was dug up during a line operation so water is not responsible for the smoothness. I just wasn't expecting the trolltards to jump in there straight off with nasty remarks (seriously did they think that was funny? If so they've been digging in the dirt for too long) without any discussion at all.

You do realize, don't you, that all the nasty remarks were uttered by yourself??

Flametards, peckerheads, trolltards? You're a real class act. Not!

 

[joshuaream]

The Japanese items have a clear groove along the edge, and were probably found on a site or have a known use.

Yours is simply a natural rock. If it feels better to call it a rare, ceremonial rock, then go ahead.

 

[bravowhiskey]

being a geofact or natural rock formation however, certainly does not preclude the possibility it could have been used as a brain masher. So feel good about it.

(I wouldn't want my wife after me with that)