maybe on the right track bone tool and abalone shell

[jamus peek]

I posted bunch of pics couple days ago of what I thought could have been bone tools. Fortunately got a lot of replies and lots of help pointing me in the right direction.

Here is a couple pics of the possible bone tool. Nice polished look rounded off smoothly as if it had been worked also a couple cut marks that look deliberate possibly marked purposely.

Also found this abalone shell where it really shouldn't be at least at the age it looks. Possibly fossilized I thought it was a silver bowl as it was shining. Found it in a creek 1000 ft above sea level close to the bone in the hills. It is really heavy.

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[RockinIdaho]

Abalone shell.

 

[Tnmountains]

Yes that looks like it could be a tool mark. Sometimes rodents chew them up too.But they are not uniform so very well could be tool marks.
Any flint flakes in the area?

 

[jamus peek]

Hi TN. I have not found any yet. I am unfortunately a rookie at this time and completely forgot to look for flint flakes. I will next time though. The area is wooded and has a creek. I am trying to get another chance to go look. I appreciate the reply and happy to know I possibly may have found my first bone tool.

 

[Bow Only]

Maybe not a popular opinion, but I don't think the bone is a Native America tool. The bone does display cut marks and very well could be from Native American times. It just does not show a level of work that would indicate its use as a tool. Polishing can occur during its time in the water and I don't see polishing from constant use by man. Soups would often be made from the marrow of leg bones like you have and the break pattern is indicative of crushing as a method of extracting marrow.

The abalone shell is certainly out of place and would be a Native American trade item. Shells of that size were often used for adornment, drinking cups or chopping utensils if they were abundant. Yours has two holes so a drinking cup and chopping are not likely. If the two holes are spaced evenly and when oriented towards the top leads to shell balance and uniformity, than it could have been used as a gorget. I would look over the shell closely for any incising or any other indication of use as body ware.

 

[monsterrack]

The bone does look like those are cut marks on it and the shell is hard to say, but you are in a good spot to be finding those items.

 

[jamey]

your going to do great,jamus.just keep putting your time in and you are going to find some good stuff.