Man-made or natural....two objects to ponder

[gary s fl]

Found these two objects while beach combing but at least 1000 miles apart. The larger V-shape item appears to be a rock similar to quartz or granite. Weighs a hair under 3 oz. Measures 1-13/16” x 1-11/16”. The wider top side has what appears to be grooves cut into it. It fits in the hand comfortably with the V side up. Could it have been made for hand grinding? Don’t know, but it could have been, even if it was naturally shaped.

The other object with the three holes appears to be a piece of sun-bleached fossilized bone. The beach where it was found consistently washes up fossilized bone that is similar in appearance except usually much darker. All the holes appear bored and evenly circular. The two on one side are very close in diameter and appear in-line. None of the holes are very deep. If it was man-made, it could be that the object was larger at one time and wave action reduced the size of it. If that’s the case, the holes would have been longer at one point. Weighs .7 oz or 19.9 g. Measures 1-11/16” x 1”. If the holes were man-made, why, and what could it have been used for? Anyways, just wanted some input from the pros here. Thanks for looking

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

Your first object may be a mineralized/fossilized horn coral. They loose detail after rolling around in the surf if exposed to it.



The second may be human work on bone, or may be boring marine worm damage on bone. They mike nice round holes in shell and bone. Nothing organic goes to waste in the ocean.

 

[gary s fl]

Charlie, thanks for the input. I agree on the second object. Even though the holes are in-line they well could be natural. As for the first object, I highly doubt it's made of coral at least not the coral I've handled. It's just too heavy for it's mass and most certainly is made of stone.....though as my wife often reminds me, I'm not always right. Anyways, I like your profile saying.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Fossilized coral is rock (by definition). Horn corals are heavy little jobbers.

 

[gary s fl]

Your right, hadn't consider that fossilized coral is indeed rock, though, even if it is fossilized coral, some natural process or someone chieseled the opening at the top. I guess?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

The cavity at the top is the nature of the beast.

 

[unclemac]

in any case neither are man made or tools of any sort.

 

[gary s fl]

My error in wording but I didn't ask if it was a tool. My enquiry was meant to ask whether or not either object was altered by man for some use. You seem sure neither were without explaining why? I'm not so sure. If the V-shaped object is indeed fossilized coral then I agree with Charlie's reply.

 

[unclemac]

mostly due to experience and the fact that they serve no purpose

 

[gary s fl]

No purpose? The V shaped object could easily have been used to grind substances. Thanks for input.

 

[unclemac]

no, too small, no signs of use wear, no purpose....grind what? again, not a tool

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Interesting finds Gary and great info provided by Charlie and Mac above.
As a suggestion, for more theories you might want to repost your questions here... Geological Forums
Dave