I think I found a firestarter on Sanibel Island?

[867452]

I want to preface this by saying I know nothing about native artifacts other than what the prior 20 minutes of research was able to provide me. I found a weird shaped rock on Sanibel Island, Florida back in December.

When I first picked up the rock, I thought the little pocket might have been caused from one of those snails that bore into shells to eat the meat inside, and one had mistakenly gotten a rock. I don't think a snail is capable of doing that to a rock though, especially with how smooth and uniform the little bowl is.

Anyway, I was thinking it might be a firestarter, but most other firestarters I found online were very round, not long like this rock. I also noticed that the rock fits perfectly in my fingers when i clasp it, even has a little nook for me to pinch between my thumb and forefinger. I don't know if it's quite visible in the photos, but on the back of the rock, there are slight indents where my middle and pointer finger pads naturally rest, like it was worn away with use over time. I realize these might be coincidences in a very, very unusual rock.

If anyone has any information for me, I would greatly appreciate it!



Edit: if you need more pictures or details, please let me know!

 

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[The Grim Reaper]

This is just my thoughts on this subject and keep in mind I have hunted and collected for 50+ years. While not an "expert" by any means, I will stack my knowledge up against anyone.

That said, I have never believed in the "Firestarter" stones. Are there stones out there that may have been used as a Capstone on a Bow Drill, possibly, but I have yet to ever see one that may actually be one with the exception of one or two and even those could have been something else. Your piece is most likely just formed by something eroding out and millions of years of erosion or battering by wave action along the island caused the divot. It doesn't look pecked into the stone to me. Just my thoughts.

 

[867452]

Thanks for the quick response! A bit of a bummer to hear, but as a rock hounder, I still find pleasure in keeping an unusual rock like this, even if it is just that. Have a good day!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I too would have picked it up given it a good once over. I have picked up and brought home more rocks over the years than my wife ever thought was possible. Her flower beds, our fish pond, and the area around our out buildings are all covered in stones I have dragged home over the years. Some are artifacts or broken artifacts, some are fossils, and some are just neat stones. I think we all do it. lol

 

[rock]

natural for sure

 

[mogi]

Hey buddy - I myself do believe in fire starter stones. You can google something as simple as - How did the Native Americans make fire or Images of authentic Native American fire starters. Good post!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Yes, you can google it and see hundreds of pictures and 99% of them are natural.

 

[SWFLA]

The Calusa Indians were on sanibel

 

[mogi]

Yes, you can google it and see hundreds of pictures and 99% of them are natural.

Oh brother! SMH

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Oh brother! SMH

Just like I said. Here is the Google link and if you actually think that most of these are "Firestaters" or even artifacts then there is no hope for you and maybe, just maybe you should consider spending your money on another hobby. There may be a few Pitted Stones in those pics but the bulk of those are Omars.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fir...HdA2DjwQ_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=firestarter+rocks

 

[Rege-PA]

Take a magnifying glass and look in the bottom and sides of the hole, if you see striations, circular marks it was used for something, such as a drill cap.

 

[newnan man]

I live in Fla. & used to hunt extensively. Not so much as I get older. Those types of stones in Fl. are very common. Made by softer material eroding out of the lime rock. Sorry no "fire starter". Good eye and there are shell tools found in that area all the time. Keep looking!

 

[Martingeetars]

I'm going out on a limb and saying this with the other replies of natural, that its the result of an echinoid that has eroded out of rock.

 

[mogi]

I totally agree with you guys,but saying there weren't stone fire starters is Def Wrong! I personally have them with swirls and polish. Keep looking 867452. You are on the right track!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I totally agree with you guys,but saying there weren't stone fire starters is Def Wrong! I personally have them with swirls and polish. Keep looking 867452. You are on the right track!

Can you show them then please so that the OP can see what one looks like and all of us as well?

 

[catherine1]

I want to see these "firestarters" also. Besides the cap stone on a bow drill and a whirl. The bottom is made of wood. Start watching survivor shows. And quit guessing.

 

[mogi]

I want to see these "firestarters" also. Besides the cap stone on a bow drill and a whirl. The bottom is made of wood. Start watching survivor shows. And quit guessing.

Now your guessing. Read how they even held these stones in their feet and turned the sticks with the palm of their hands. Not impressed with your comments either. They were making fires before the bow drill. How do you think they did it? Lets say they were out in the middle of nowhere with no bow or capstone. What then - Shoot a lightning bolt out their post deriaire?

 

[scotto]

Now your guessing. Read how they even held these stones in their feet and turned the sticks with the palm of their hands. Not impressed with your comments either. They were making fires before the bow drill. How do you think they did it? Lets say they were out in the middle of nowhere with no bow or capstone. What then - Shoot a lightning bolt out their post deriaire?

Yeah let's these these "firestarters" of yours. Ought to be good for a laugh at least.

 

[Muddyhandz]

Nothing beats looking at objects in a practical sense.
It's difficult to start a fire with a drill to begin with, so why would one use a crappy rock (with no coal chamber) when they could get a nice piece of wood and fashion an ideal medium in less than 5 minutes?
Try starting a fire with that rock and let me know how it works out!
100% natural stone but I would pick it up and think it's neat too.