Cylindrical Stone Key??

[brendantc]

Hello all, I joined this forum today because of an object I found in the river yesterday. I live in the Blue Ridge foothills near Hendersonville, NC, and the object in question was found in the Green River, just south of town. Anyway, I was wading in the shallows looking for interesting rocks on the bottom when I spied something different. At first I thought it was a vertebrae from a very large animal, but after pulling it up I noticed that it was made of stone. It seems to be some kind of old carved stone tool or "key." It is very strange. The best way I can describe it is a "cylindrical stone key." One end of the cylinder has notches in it to "catch" and turn something, and the other end has a very obvious "knob" for turning. Parts of it are very smooth and might have been craved by a machine, but other parts are very rough. However, I can't tell if the rough parts are from hand carving, or from erosion, where small pieces and chucks have been chipped away by traveling down the river. Also note: the area of the river it was found in has very strong rapids and is know for its whitewater. I cant imagine it's been sitting on the bottom long with the current being so strong in that area. I have no earthly idea what era this is from or what it might have been used for, and it could turn out to be quite modern, but I am very curious all the same, so I thought I would give you guys a shot at it. Pictures are below. Let me know what you think. Thanks so much! -Brendan in NC.

p.s. In the last image I have done some analysis work to point out some of the corresponding features on the bottom of the object.

 

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[FoundInNC]

I AM THINKING SOMETHING ALONG THE LINE OF A GRAIN GRINDER FROM A GRIST MILL. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT A NATIVE WOULD HAVE USED IT FOR. JUST AN IDEA!

 

[kuger]

You need to post this in the Indian Artifact section,I have a feeling that is a very fine piece!!

 

[searcher]

Could it possibly be an ceramic insulator?

 

[brendantc]

Definitely not a ceramic insulator. I know it has a similar look, but it is shaped (dense) stone, whether by hand or machine I dont know. Aren't most insulators hollow anyway?

 

[brendantc]

Anyone else want to take a crack at this?

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

insulator is what i am thinking too! Could be hard fired in a kiln

 

[Breezie]

Is that metal on/around the bottom? Could it be an old stone trencher tooth that goes on a bulldozer? Interesting, Breezie

 

[searcher]

Insulators do not all have holes in them. I have seen some that are set into holes in the wood.
If you are 100% sure this is not ceramic then it is very good work for a carved stone.

My first though was it was a juicer head from an electric juicer.
Second thought, some part of an old stove.
Third thought, insulator.
Fourth thought, electrical switch part.

It does kind of look like a trencher tooth, but trencher teeth are 100% metal.

I keep thinking I have seen one of these somewhere but I can't wrap my brain around where it was...

 

[bradyboy]

Sounder?
Bradyboy