Hatch Marked Pet Wood

[Garscale]

Here is a chunk of pet wood about18 inches long that we dug on the Brazos. It is naturally flat on the top side. The interesting thing is all the hatch marks on it. Almost looks like writing. The long grooved length wise are also graved in. Odd item but I always liked the freaks.

 

[PaleIO]

Dang....that does spark my interest. Definitely looks like man made markings. I find Ogham in our area that is vertical lines but usually larger and in a solid rock. It just reminded me of that for some reason....

 

[Garscale]

Oh there is no doubt the marks are man made. Also to give context I dug it in late archaic Indian context.

 

[PaleIO]

Obviously on a larger scale but I would say it's the same time frame

 

[Garscale]

Not sure what I'm looking at there but that's interesting. Sedimentary rock?

Also on the pet wood the long lateral lines are etched in as well.

 

[PaleIO]

 

[Garscale]

The marks you are showing look man made to me.

 

[PaleIO]

Yes sedimentary rock. Like I said much larger scale just made me think of it when I saw your post.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Could also have been animal scratch marks prior to fossilization.

 

[Toecutter]

Looks like a old cutting board...

 

[jamus peek]

Cool piece! I believe the type of incisions would be refered to as a bisect style. I have had some luck with Incised stones and they are my favorite types of artifacts

The dominant groove seems to lead to a notch. When I find Incised stones sometimes one groove is bigger and wraps around the edge or all the way around the stone. This groove sometimes is straight sometimes curve linear and tends to really stand out compared to the other incisions.

Here is an Incised Stone that has bisect style incisions like yours it sits flat on a flattened base and is thinned out on top. Possibly an Atlatl weight made of a soft soapy stone maybe soapstone.

Also some Incised stones have symbols. For instance this one has a symbol I am familiar with. A line with a dot underneath or on top to one side.


I also have examples others that have dominant grooves if you would like to see some. Nice find Garscale.