did a beach hunt this afternoon

[GatorBoy]

 

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[Get-the-point]

Nice finds.....like the shell pendents!! ........................GTP

 

[SOHIO]

great

 

[GatorBoy]

Thanks.. I have alot of shell here.

 

[Harry Pristis]

Nice finds.....like the shell pendents!! ........................GTP

A little skepticism is in order here. Many gastropods (marine snails) drill through mollusk shells to feed. They use a radula, an abrasive, tongue-like organ to do this drilling. The drill hole may be slightly irregular. Examples of predatory gastropods are found among the muricids, the naticids, and the conids.

Sooo . . . Unless there is other evidence of alteration by man, a single drill hole is not a reliable indication that a sea shell is an artifact.

Columella tools are often ground smooth, and have a polished tip.

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[GatorBoy]

I totally appreciate your opinion. and I am fully aware of that. I've lived in florida my entire life. and has seen countless numbers of shells drilled by gastropods. many have as for the shell tools I have plummets from the same spot

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[GatorBoy]

I'm not sure where you're from. or how many shell tools you've seen. but actually being ground smooth and polished is more often than not . from rolling around in sand and water for years. Being shaped without being ground down would support human alteration more than the other

 

[Harry Pristis]

I'm not sure where you're from. or how many shell tools you've seen. but actually being ground smooth and polished is more often than not . from rolling around in sand and water for years. Being shaped without being ground down would support human alteration more than the other

Open your mind, 'Alwaylearning.' Understand that Native Americans were not Martians. They were clever; they were innovative; and they avoided pain when they could . . . just like us. They would not work with a tool that would cut up their hands, so grinding a columella tool is a no-brainer.

Comfort and leverage are the reasons that tools -shell tools, in this case- are altered. It is the reason that handles were invented.

Here is a tool that had a handle at one time. This one, out of many I've had, is on my shelf because it shows the hafting technique, the wear on the tip of the hammer (columella) end, and the wear on the hole for the handle. In use, the hole in the thinner sidewall migrated under the concussive pressures.

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[GatorBoy]

1 day when I grow up.. I want to be as knowledgeable as you. nice piece by the way. did you buy it

 

[GatorBoy]

reminds me of a few of mine

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[GatorBoy]

Like this harry pristis

 

[Harry Pristis]

1 day when I grow up.. I want to be as knowledgeable as you. nice piece by the way. did you buy it

You'll grow up soon enough . . . How old are you, about fifteen? Keep an open mind . . . that's the only way you can assimilate new knowledge. I am happy to help a new generation of collectors.

Glad you like the shell hammer. I collected that one from a drowned midden on the Gulf. I kept it as an exemplar . . . I don't have room to keep, much less display, everything I pick up.

I have read (probably in The Florida Anthropologist) that these Melongena hammers were used to make a hole in the shell of Busycon and other shellfish to free the meat. (I see Busycon contrarium in your hand.) Usually, only one hole was made in the butchering process verus two for hafting a hammer.

 

[GatorBoy]

I happen to be 37 years old. . being new to treasure net is 1 thing.. new to the world quite another. I give respect until someone proves that they may not deserve it. knowledge is a great thing.. how you go about sharing it can really change the way it is taken.

 

[GatorBoy]

take a close look at the shell in my hand or yours for that matter. noticed that natural opening in it? expedience is worth something too.

 

[GatorBoy]

I don't mean to beat this horse to death.. but remarks.. about aliens and opening my mind.. we're rediculous.. does it look like this was beaten into 4 butchering







note the small holes 4 cordage. also the wear on the business end. try not to be so condescending even if you mean well...... open your mind

 

[BeachComber7]

Nice shell finds there Alwayslearning. I too have found many like the ones you show, some decorate my garden, the cooler ones I keep inside with other neat shells. I am from Florida as well, east coast. I collect so many shells and fossilized things, my sons tell me I need an intervention! I especially like the older shells, the large ones that are ragged from the surf.

Have fun collecting!

 

[GatorBoy]

I'm not sure what to say to that. we are talking Ais tribe artifacts. shell tools.

 

[BeachComber7]

Oh sorry, some of those shells are quite common in my parts so I assumed you were looking for such.