lead artifact/galena?

[GatorBoy]

I found this a while back on one of the best sites I ever hunted.
I've been trying to research this on and off without much headway.
The photos don't show much detail and I'm hesitant to clean it any further.
I belive it is a pendant with the loop broken.
Has anyone seen anything like this?







This site had artifacts from early archaic all the way through contact including worked glass arrowheads and Spanish coins dating to the early 1600's

 

[digordie]

I found this a while back on one of the best sites I ever hunted.
I've been trying to research this on and off without much headway.
The photos don't show much detail and I'm hesitant to clean it any further.
I belive it is a pendant with the loop broken.
Has anyone seen anything like this?

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=838946"/>

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=838954"/>

This site had artifacts from early archaic all the way through contact including worked glass arrowheads and Spanish coins dating to the early 1600's

If that is the natural color it had when found I would say it is galena (lead ore) for sure and not pure lead. Pure lead will oxidize white in a short time underground. Galena leads me to believe its an native american artifact. Galena also contains silver which will tarnish black like that. Looks man made to me but not sure what it is to represent. Perhaps some of it is missing. Have you checked the sight a few times with a detector.

 

[GatorBoy]

It was found in mud with little oxygen.
These are musket balls and a Minie ball found in the same type environment down here.
They only turn white if on dry land here.



That and the p.h. is what preserves bone and wood artifacts well in certain areas here.

 

[GatorBoy]

I have found Spanish silver coins dating to the early 17th century there with my detector.
And a very interesting piece of copper.

 

[digordie]

I have found Spanish silver coins dating to the early 17th century there with my detector.
And a very interesting piece of copper.

Interesting that the lead is dark like that. Can we see some pics of the copper piece?

 

[GatorBoy]

Sure.







The patina is interesting on it.. What looks like rust Is actually on top of The layer of green that formed first.

 

[digordie]

Sure.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=838984"/>

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=838987"/>

Thanks. That is sweet. Looks like a rolled conical spear tip to me.

 

[GatorBoy]

That's what I've come up with.. there has been several of them recovered on sites just to the north of that one.

 

[digordie]

That's what I've come up with.. there has been several of them recovered on sites just to the north of that one.

Ya that is definitely a sweet find. Thats what Ive been looking for. Congrats!!

 

[GatorBoy]

Thank you.. don't take anything I said on your threads to seriously.. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to copper.

 

[digordie]

Thank you.. don't take anything I said on your threads to seriously.. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to copper.

I didn't. I'm not that knowledgeable myself but I'm fascinated with copper artifacts and always in search of others knowledge. That how I learn the most. Thanks for your comments.

 

[timekiller]

Gator man I'm not seeing it.To me it just looks like over spill from a melting process,mabe from a strip mold.I've found many,many,many pounds of lead from very old sites.Your lead looks old but I'm thinking colonial at best.Yes lead that comes from muddy river bottoms or were shells are very thick will cause it to turn black.I think it's the high alkaline from the decaying shells.I'll show you the only pendant that I've found that was lead that I'm sure the N/A had made in all my hunting years.If you look close it has designs in it.Came from a shell midden.I did find a scorpion pendant that is very old but I think it most likely is colonial.
Scorpion pendant post...............http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/137976-man-i-like-low-tide-1700-s.html
My only copper pendant I've ever found as well.........................http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...ct-period-native-american-copper-pendant.html
Lead shot from the 'Bronze Bell' wreck, early 18th century :: Gathering the Jewels

Take Care,
Pete,

 

[larson1951]

timekiller is right in my opinion

 

[GatorBoy]

Thank you Timekiller.
The only problem with that is there is edges on both sides..not possible from overspill..I've found pounds and pounds of lead myself...spilled,melted,carved,chewed..
It can't do this on both sides when in molten state..impossible.
Here is both sides.

 

[GatorBoy]

Here is a silver pendant recovered from a Spanish 1715 shipwreck a short distance from there.
See the loop on top.

 

[GatorBoy]

Other artifacts from the same small area.

 

[GatorBoy]

 

[GatorBoy]

timekiller is right in my opinion

Really ?



I may be in the wrong place with this.
Thanks Guys.

 

[digordie]

Here is a pic of some trade pendants that may help. I see similarities in some of these.

 

[GatorBoy]

Thanks..I will come back to this thread if I have anything as a comparison with more info..since all I have at the moment is very little to go on.
Mabey it's nothing at all..but if you saw where and how this came into my hands and the items with it you would see why my gut tells me it's something.