Found in Piedmont NC... what is it?

[thedavest]

Hi all, looking for some help with identifying this artifact. I found it in a plowed field at my grandfathers, very close to the old sea to the mountains Indian trail in NC. I'm guessing for sharpening, my brother thinks for steel, I think perhaps bone. Neither one of us is by no means expert with artifacts ... so here I am!

Checked several books, google pics... simply stumped. Any help appreciated.

 

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[GatorBoy]

A really neat looking natural stone.
Welcome to the site

 

[thedavest]

Thanks GatorBoy, hoping for some insight.

 

[NC field hunter]

I live in the piedmont area of NC also. Nice to see you here neighbor. I have found pieces similar to what you have. I never throw them away because they are cool. However, I'm starting to side with the cats that say these pieces are natural. The grooves created by weathering. Iron is probably the mineral that created the grooves on this piece. Water probably caused iron ore to rust away, leaving these cool lines. Here is a similar piece I have.

 

[thedavest]

The field where i found it has yielded lots of arrowheads and axes among other items...if formed by nature she did a nice job!

 

[GatorBoy]

I've kept a few cool pieces of mother nature's artwork over the years

 

[NC field hunter]

The field where i found it has yielded lots of arrowheads and axes among other items...if formed by nature she did a nice job!

The most plausible answer I have gotten for the lines on pieces like this is a vine grew around it. The water in the vine rusted iron ore away. Thus, cool conversation pieces. You see I keep my natural oddity inside. Nothing wrong with cherishing Mother Nature.... In fact, more need to cherish her work!! Nice piece neighbor!!

 

[yakker]

Just tossing out a notion- could it be a concretion- over something man-made? I've seen naturally eroded stones similar to both Gator's and NCFH's but those grooves...It all seems to be the same material- and not something obviously softer that's eroded away. I don't know. Thinking out loud, I guess. Cheers Yakker

 

[NC field hunter]

Just tossing out a notion- could it be a concretion- over something man-made? I've seen naturally eroded stones similar to both Gator's and NCFH's but those grooves...It all seems to be the same material- and not something obviously softer that's eroded away. I don't know. Thinking out loud, I guess. Cheers Yakker

My first statement was wrong for this type of stone. This type of stone is all around where I live. These stones will often have a rust patina. That's how high it's iron content is. So, instead of a softer mineral wasting out, the section of the stone wrapped in a vine will waste away. I hope that makes sense.

 

[thedavest]

Thanks for the input Yakker and NC Field Hunter... btw I live in the Charlotte area but my mothers family are from the Wentworth area of Rockingham County, wondering if thats close to you.. this was found on my grandfathers farm. The odd thing to me is as you look at the 'cut' grooves they seem to be at the same angle as a knife sharpener, the depth and angles are consistent with 3 near perfect flat sides. I sent some images to an archaeologist specializing in eastern Indian artifacts and will post his reply if any.

Made this axe a while back to give as a christmas present, makes a great home protection unit!

 

[NC field hunter]

Thanks for the input Yakker and NC Field Hunter... btw I live in the Charlotte area but my mothers family are from the Wentworth area of Rockingham County, wondering if thats close to you.. this was found on my grandfathers farm. The odd thing to me is as you look at the 'cut' grooves they seem to be at the same angle as a knife sharpener, the depth and angles are consistent with 3 near perfect flat sides. I sent some images to an archaeologist specializing in eastern Indian artifacts and will post his reply if any. Made this axe a while back to give as a christmas present, makes a great home protection unit! <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1077893"/>

I live over 2 hours from rockingham NC.

 

[thedavest]

Rockingham county, meaning Reidsville, Madison. North of Greensboro

 

[NC field hunter]

Rockingham county, meaning Reidsville, Madison. North of Greensboro

Ahhh!! My bad. I'm not far at all. I actually do a little hunting in that area. Ridgeway VA. Rockingham NC kinda coves in to Henry County VA. On one of those little pig path back roads. Lots of history in that area. Nice shelters to dig also.