Found in michigan. Not sure what this is.

postalgriff · Sep 18, 2015

My friend found this on his property. Mid michigan. Any ideas?

CaptEsteban · Sep 18, 2015

" Nutting stone , " but could be used for other things as well. GREAT find !

postalgriff · Sep 18, 2015

Thanks Capt. for the ID! Any idea of age? Lower-mid michigan.

unclemac · Sep 18, 2015

natural rock...lots of those around

CaptEsteban · Sep 19, 2015

postalgriff said:
Thanks Capt. for the ID! Any idea of age? Lower-mid michigan.

Sorry, I cannot help date it. You may enjoy reading this older book," Primitive Man in Michigan" available online .

http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015015368973;view=1up;seq=138

Check with local museum, universities, etc.

GatorBoy · Sep 19, 2015

It's natural

postalgriff · Sep 19, 2015

GatorBoy said:
It's natural

OK, you're saying this is naturally formed in the rock?, and not an native American artifact?

unclemac · Sep 19, 2015

yes, it is a very common natural rock.

unclemac · Sep 19, 2015

https://www.google.com/search?q=sma...ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMI4uqH1N-DyAIVCpmICh0DBAxT

quito · Sep 19, 2015

Natural alright, it's an Omar, but looks to me like it may have been put to use as well.

Tnmountains · Sep 20, 2015

Yeah the first time a nut was tried to crack in that it would have blown to pieces. Looks like it is something but probably not

quito · Sep 20, 2015

Tnmountains said:
Yeah the first time a nut was tried to crack in that it would have blown to pieces. Looks like it is something but probably not

With all due respect tnmountains, these are very hard stone, you could crack nuts for generations in one of these. I have several, if you would like, I'll send you a nice one.

CaptEsteban · Sep 20, 2015

I enhanced your picture for better viewing & details.

unclemac · Sep 20, 2015

but is still an omar...

rginn · Sep 20, 2015

Put it to the test. Go get some black walnuts or pecans and start cracking them on that. The thing I see is you would probably real quick wish you had a 'nutting stone' that was a little bigger and heavier.

Tnmountains · Sep 20, 2015

quito said:
With all due respect tnmountains, these are very hard stone, you could crack nuts for generations in one of these. I have several, if you would like, I'll send you a nice one.

Cupulets on nutting stones are generally one size to fit a specific type of nut being harvested. Even the ones with multiple cups will usually be the same size. Here it was a hickory nut and the nut had to rise up out of the cup enough to take a blow and then easily pick out the meat. That stone has 3 different size cups :dontknow:

Quito your nut stones do not look like that do they?

Red James Cash · Sep 20, 2015

Ive seen the original granite steps to 350 or so year old houses.The steps had holes in them exactly like your rock from rain dripping off the roof.

quito · Sep 20, 2015

Tnmountains said:
Cupulets on nutting stones are generally one size to fit a specific type of nut being harvested. Even the ones with multiple cups will usually be the same size. Here it was a hickory nut and the nut had to rise up out of the cup enough to take a blow and then easily pick out the meat. That stone has 3 different size cups
Quito your nut stones do not look like that do they?

While I have found several omars, and while some have more than one hole, I have only a couple I think were put to use. I don't believe what I have found were used for nutting, but more for a mini mortar or something.

CaptEsteban · Sep 25, 2015

I am not familiar with " Omars , " but it could be one . Still, I am sure that Natives would use,,, or try to use, such a stone. The stone does look like it has abnormal wear around the larger hole, making me think it has been used.