Effigies?

[Rubykicks]

So I have a large collection of cool rocks. Some are from Indiana and some are from Ohio, I was just recently getting a closer look at some of them and I have a handful that appear to be possible artifacts. I don't know if they would fall under the category of effigies or not, but I'll post the pictures I have and see what you guys think.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Sorry. I don't see any human intervention in those (natural) rocks.

 

[Retired Sarge]

I believe they are just examples of what Mother Nature does.....Those with more knowledge will be around to chime in.

Welcome to TNet and the madness, we have a lot of people with extensive knowledge and expertise in various areas. So hang out and enjoy the fun and camaraderie

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Welcome to treasureNet.

Sorry, they are all natural rocks formed by erosion.

 

[blauer]

So I have a large collection of cool rocks. Some are from Indiana and some are from Ohio, I was just recently getting a closer look at some of them and I have a handful that appear to be possible artifacts. I don't know if they would fall under the category of effigies or not, but I'll post the pictures I have and see what you guys think.

Pareidolia - the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.

 

[Rubykicks]

I could see that most of them may not be. I just think some of them, like this one, have such distinct markings. How would I tell the difference?

 

[Rubykicks]

View attachment 1894407
I could see that most of them may not be. I just think some of them, like this one, have such distinct markings. How would I tell the difference?

 

[galenrog]

You will have to obtain some genuine stone artifacts. Once you do that, the differences will be stark.

Time for more coffee.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

View attachment 1894407
I could see that most of them may not be. I just think some of them, like this one, have such distinct markings. How would I tell the difference?

Have you studied artifacts and effigies?

 

[Rubykicks]

I have studied them online, obviously not professionally. I was simply asking a question. Wow.

 

[Rubykicks]

How disgusting.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Ruby, I think you misunderstood my question. You asked how you could tell the difference, I was asking if you had studied, as in read books on effigies and artifacts, no insult was meant or intended. I must have over 18 books on artifacts that I have read on collecting.

 

[Rubykicks]

I have seen genuine artifacts and the difference is not stark to me. But thank you so much for your help. Hope you got that coffee. I know you probably needed it after that huge difference made you glance at your screen for 3 seconds.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Be careful, there are websites that people have rocks posted that they claim are effigies and they are nothing but rocks and wild imaginations. They are called potable art, they will mislead people new to collecting.

 

[Rubykicks]

I have not studied them extensively. I simply collect interesting rocks. While having a conversation at work, I looked up arrow heads and one link lead to another and I thought "hmm I have some rocks that look like that"....and here I am. Asking a question and regretting it.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Dont regret asking a question, keep an open mind, don't get offended when people reply trying to help and you will learn a lot. There is a lot of experience here, I have been collecting for 38+ years and there are people here with a lot more experience than I, there is almost 2000 years of experience here.

 

[SweepNbeep]

In my experience an artifact is usually unmistakable, as in, it is glaringly obvious that it is. When a guy has to wonder if it’s an artifact, or is maybe an artifact, it usually is not. I’m fortunate enough to have discovered a lot of Native American pieces over the years, mostly points, tool, and pottery. When you find one, you know it. BUT, like you, I have also discovered interesting things that I thought could “possibly” or “maybe” be something significant, and like you I posted them here, and I have always been told they were just cool rocks. In fact this just happened about 2 weeks ago. Personally I prefer to know the truth, as opposed to wondering, or even worse believing I have an artifact of some sort when in fact it’s not. I’ve found the people here to be honest. If it just a rock, one kind of has to be prepared to be told that it’s just a rock, cool as it may be. That doesn’t mean people don’t appreciate you posting it, or that you should stop. I don’t think any disrespect was intended. Some forums are like that, but T-net is a pretty helpful place.

 

[Rubykicks]

I agree. I just have a low tolerance for an answer that is ended with "time for more coffee". That was condescending.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I agree. I just have a low tolerance for an answer that is ended with "time for more coffee". That was condescending.

It was not meant to be condescending, galenrog uses it to end a lot of his posts as do a few other members. If you do a search for coffee you will see it used.

 

[Swaveab]

Welcome to TNET. That's one aspect of human beings is that they see things in respect to human faces and other figures. They say it is instinctive so we as a species were able to know a threat and survive. To prove the point, haven't you looked at clouds and saw something familiar in it's shape? A face maybe? Still cool rocks and worth keeping for your own sake.