Creek Find Identification Help

[MOGARDE]

Hi,
I’m hoping for some input. I found this unusual piece in a creek where I have found many arrowheads, Woodland pottery and beads. This caught my eye among all the rough creek gravel. I am torn between natural and man made. It is made of hard stone, granite, I believe. I found it in Mid-Missouri. Thank you for your help. Happy hunting!

 

[Garscale]

I don't have a clue what that is but the rounded surface looks pecked and polished. Neat find.

 

[welsbury]

Looks like a cone.

 

[sandchip]

Looks like a cone.

I'd probably call it that if I found it! Sure looks like one.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

1. I'd probably call it that if I found it! Sure looks like one.

I would as well.

 

[MOGARDE]

Wow! Thank you guys for your comments and opinions on this piece. I really appreciate it! This is a new one for me. I look forward to researching about Cones.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

That black coating could be soot or years of built up oils.
Certainly doesn’t look like it has traveled far.

Do other stones in that creek have similar black coatings?

 

[Buckleberry]

Nice cone! can still see the peck marks as well.

 

[joshuaream]

Interesting find.

It certainly looks like a fine cone, but the base/flat side almost looks natural. I haven't seen that on the typical cones I've seen from Ohio/Kentucky.

It might not be the same relic as the cones from Ohio/Kentucky, but still a relic of some type.

 

[DaveSmith]

I found this several years ago, and thought it was similar to mogard's. But I think mine may be a pecking stone instead of a cone. The reason the pics ( taken yesterday) are a different color is the "orange" looking ones were taken in the full sun and the others were in the shade. I found it flat side down on the edge of the logging road right on top of the red clay layer. Its heavy. and I have never heard of a cone before, so learned something new again today!

 

[PetesPockets55]

Congrats on the find.
Talk about timing.
Just last night I happened to come across cones in a reference book (by Lloyd Schroeder- 2015) I picked up recently.

Is there any consensus here on what was their purpose?
(If I remember correctly the thought in the book is cones may have been used for hides/pelts?

 

[MOGARDE]

Not that I've noticed and I've picked up a lot of rocks. I did find a full grooved tool that I was told was used as a hammer / maul, in the same creek very close to where I found the "cone". The upper picture on the right seems to show similar wear marks (?) as this piece....

 

[PetesPockets55]

From what I remember reading about the cones is that cones are fairly small in comparison the to the exposed surface of the maul/club you found.

It kind of seems like the tool would be sized to the item being worked. Maybe small pelts needed small stones for working them. I wonder if any chemical or mineral analysis has been performed on any cones to look for residue.

Complete speculation here but I wonder if cones could have been used to work copper or silver?

 

[Raider19962]

Not too familiar with this topic, but would a "cone" be synonymous with one half of a "mortar and pestle"?

 

[welsbury]

Not too familiar with this topic, but would a "cone" be synonymous with one half of a "mortar and pestle"?

No.

 

[jamus peek]

Not too familiar with this topic, but would a "cone" be synonymous with one half of a "mortar and pestle"?

I have read that Cone's can be mistaken for the pole end of Celts or Adzes as a broken pole end can take on the look/shape of a Cone.

 

[MOGARDE]

Thank you!!

I read that as well. Also, read that they could have been used for game / gambling pieces or ceremonial. I'm enjoying reading and trying to learn more!