Mystery Shell Piece

[jbnick]

Found this piece of shell wet sifting in a central Illinois stream a while back. I posted it in the "What is it" section and was never able to get it solved. Thinking it could possibly be what is left over from making some shell buttons?Any help identifying it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Jbnick

 

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[quito]

Dang! I forget what they call that form. Nice!

 

[quito]

Cruciform! That's it!

 

[rock]

Cruciform! That's it!

Grim Reaper said they are only found in New Mexico but it sure looks like one. Nice find

 

[quito]

Well then maybe it's a cool coincidence. It sure has a nice form, pretty dang symmetric as well.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

It does look just like a Cruciform, but as far as I know they are only found in the southwest and mostly New Mexico. I got this one as a gift in my Secret Santa I run two Christmas's ago. I have never seen or heard of one coming from the midwest, but anything is possible.

I actually think he answered his own question though. That looks like a piece of a Mussell Shell that has had multiple Buttons drilled out of it and then eroded to that shape. If you look at the Shell that has had all of the Buttons drilled out of it you can see that if it broke up and eroded just right could easily come up with a piece like that.

 

[quito]

That sure sounds like a possibility.

Fir sure, it's another one of those mysteries that we often run into in this hobby. It sure helps keep it interesting.

 

[jbnick]

Interesting! I have never heard of a cruciform before. What exactly is their significance or use thought to be? The creek is quite small and has very likely never had mollusks large enough to make buttons from so even then it is material that was brought in and worked nearby. I did find a picture of one that is thought to be a shell cruciform (picture from a different site).

Is there any way to tell or will this just be one of this sites great mysteries?
Thanks for the input!
Jbnick

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Take it to a local show first chance you get and let experienced collectors looks at it. Don't take it to a museum or college though. You will get better answers at a show. That last picture is very interesting. It sure looks like it was made that way on purpose. The ends are to precise in my mind to have happened by accident. Very cool piece for sure.

 

[can]

Take it to a local show first chance you get and let experienced collectors looks at it. Don't take it to a museum or college though. You will get better answers at a show. That last picture is very interesting. It sure looks like it was made that way on purpose. The ends are to precise in my mind to have happened by accident. Very cool piece for sure.

thats what i was thinking

 

[dougachim]

Interesting! I have never heard of a cruciform before. What exactly is their significance or use thought to be? The creek is quite small and has very likely never had mollusks large enough to make buttons from so even then it is material that was brought in and worked nearby. I did find a picture of one that is thought to be a shell cruciform (picture from a different site).

Is there any way to tell or will this just be one of this sites great mysteries?
Thanks for the input!
Jbnick
View attachment 1272609

Where did that one come from