Could this be a net sinker? Shell midden find

GrouseMan

Jr. Member
Mar 2, 2020
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All Treasure Hunting
I picked this up in an eroding shell midden in a northeast salt marsh. There are no other stones in the marsh, just mud and grass. Could it be a discarded net sinker? I attached a poorly taken photo of what’s left of the midden and the stone. Historic aerials show that the midden was once atleast 30 x 30 yards long. I left the stone there, but it’s pretty cool to still find these sorts of middens around.
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I would say "its possible"
I would expect to see some evidence of wear around the top of the hole if it had been used for a period of time.
 

I picked this up in an eroding shell midden in a northeast salt marsh. There are no other stones in the marsh, just mud and grass. Could it be a discarded net sinker? I attached a poorly taken photo of what’s left of the midden and the stone. Historic aerials show that the midden was once atleast 30 x 30 yards long. I left the stone there, but it’s pretty cool to still find these sorts of middens around.
View attachment 2085462View attachment 2085463View attachment 2085464
Very well could be!
 

I would say "its possible"
I would expect to see some evidence of wear around the top of the hole if it had been used for a period of time.
Sure looks like it with the perfect round hole. It might have came loose from the net before it had a chance to get used much. Good find!
 

When you are hunting shell middens look closely for organic remains. Shells are alkaline and will neutralize acidic soil and some organics remains will survive. Wood, leather and the like.
 

The hole looks natural, most likely formed by fossil that fell out, it could have been used as net sinker, but there is no physical evidence it was ever touched by man in pictures posted. The hole shows no wear from use.
 

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