Is this a mortar?

[SweepNbeep]

So, a few weeks back I found this flake in a corn field in central MN. It looks like knife river flint to me. Very out of place for the area, and obviously a chip or flake in my opinion.


The field got worked up and planted a few days ago. I was back in there today and found this very intriguing piece. Is this an artifact, or just another one of my cool rocks? Just for the record I do have legitimate artifacts, but you guys usually just get to see the ones that stump me. I did this from my phone, hope it looks okay. Thanks.

 

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[SweepNbeep]

I suppose it could just be a small bowl. My real question is, is this a Native American artifact or not?

 

[ncuke]

I would have kept it - what’s the material? Looks like a sandstone?

 

[SweepNbeep]

I don’t know what it’s made of, but I don’t think it’s sandstone. It seems like hard rock.

 

[Tdog]

It looks like KRF to me too. Can't swear on the metate/mortar but looks promising.

 

[SweepNbeep]

Is this a really tough one, or does nobody have the heart to tell me it’s just a rock?

 

[Garscale]

Is this a really tough one, or does nobody have the heart to tell me it’s just a rock?

In my opinion it was probably a natural rock that some pigment was harvested from. The bowl sure looks worn into it.

 

[Missouri Breaks]

If it was used as a mortar, I doubt it was for nuts or seeds that required considerable force. I say this based on how thin the bottom seems to be. Maybe a plant/medicinal bowl or for easier to breakdown food stuffs. The base has a roughened look which supports artifact rather than geo. The odd shape and thin walls makes one ponder if it’s natural yet the interior has the smoothness you’d expect in the center with a bowl that has been used with a pestle. Best I can do.

 

[indianajaune]

The first picture definitely a flake (not sure if the flake is natural or not tho, but the shape reminds me of the thousands of flakes I find while digging on native American sites). IMO keep looking nearby, make a few holes and check underground, if you find more flakes like this then you're in a good spot.

In the second picture, I don't know if it was crafted by man, but I do know that in my state, before making pottery, native Americans were using stone for bowls. Was it crafted by man? Probably not but it's definitely possible (would need a better look at the inner part). Was it used by man? If a native American randomly stumbles upon this thing he would probably use it. IMO you should check for flakes/fire pits/stone tools close to where you found it.

Edit: forgot to say really cool find!!!

 

[SweepNbeep]

Okay, thanks everyone. I’m gonna add it to the collection, and call it a bowl like something or another that was probably made / used by the indigenous people of Minnesota.

I’m gonna use it to hold chips and flakes.

 

[Tnmountains]

I agree that it very well could be an older stone bowl.No doubt on the flake but still curios about that bowl.

 

[Fat]

The bowl IDK.. Absolute keeper, it neat.
I’m sure KRF. I call that piece a micro lithic. I think a graver and just around it’s corner is a resharpened blade all in one. In my minds eye it was used to finish up sewing task. I’m talking the fine print stuff. Finish up some small sew job.
KRF holds patina. Along the Missouri River system krf is patented. The krf I’ve seen that’s not comes from Iowa collections.
I bet that spot is loaded with scrapers, backed blades and knifes, in all conditions, get to know it bi-monthly until you recognize stuff you’ve already turned over, soon you’ll know when weather changes make better or not.

 

[SweepNbeep]

I went back to that field today. Man are there a lot of rocks in there, and corn chaff. Makes hunting hard. Literally looked at thousands of rocks, just eying most, turning a lot over and picking up many more to dust off and get a better look at. I found this. It’s not much. I thought a possible hammer stone. What do you think?