Nice point and possible mano?

captain redbeard · Sep 11, 2017

Have had a few cool nights lately which seem to have calmed the mosquitos down a bit. Decided to walk around the woods near where I dug a few times. Ground was a bit wet so it made finding the black soil easy. Found these just walking around.

Nice point with what looks almost like a long shoulder or barb and what looks to be an unfinished point.

This was exposed under a rotted log, saw part of the round end and a shoulder sticking out, when i put my hand around and felt it was long and roundish i instantly thought mano, but it looks like it was used for chopping or breaking up nuts maybe? The rounded end looks to have a bit of use as well.

I found what i thought to be another mano but a bit bigger and sitting under a large rock, but i didnt bring with me i may head out after work and grab it.

arrow86 · Sep 11, 2017

Nice finds what material are the points made from? The bigger piece is interesting I wonder what that broken end would have looked like , maybe the rest will turn up one day

southfork · Sep 11, 2017

Looks like a pestle from the wear on the end. And nice points.

captain redbeard · Sep 11, 2017

arrow86 said:
Nice finds what material are the points made from? The bigger piece is interesting I wonder what that broken end would have looked like , maybe the rest will turn up one day

I believe they are normanskill, possible onondaga. I have a hard time telling the difference between the two. I honestly think the broken end is intentional for chopping or breaking up stuff.

captain redbeard · Sep 11, 2017

southfork said:
Looks like a pestle from the wear on the end. And nice points.

Could be a pestle, I was thinking pestles were a bit smaller though. This measures 6 3/4"

rock · Sep 11, 2017

Its called a Roller Pestle and would of been the same on both ends so it is broken. I havent found any but some have found them in my area. Nice point to.

Mark Todd · Sep 11, 2017

I agree with rock that it looks like it could be a roller pestle. Rollers pestles have been found that were more than 2 1/2 feet long and similarly shaped. They were used like a wooden roller pins to grind and roll out grain meal. But the end of your piece appears to have been heavily used for pestle like work ,so l'm speculating that it may be a multi-purpose pestle.

ptsofnc · Sep 12, 2017

Wow, you have a good spot! Nice!

captain redbeard · Sep 12, 2017

Mark Todd said:
I agree with rock that it looks like it could be a roller pestle. Rollers pestles have been found that were more than 2 1/2 feet long and similarly shaped. They were used like a wooden roller pins to grind and roll out grain meal. But the end of your piece appears to have been heavily used for pestle like work ,so l'm speculating that it may be a multi-purpose pestle.

I think you guys are right after looking at some expamples of different roller pestles, even saw several examples with the end broken the same way as this one. Definitely a first type of artifact for me, thanks for the info!

gentleone444 · Sep 12, 2017

Wow nice finds!

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rock · Sep 12, 2017

Some Roller Pestles arent completely round its just the name that its called some are flat on the sides like for grinding and sharpening bone tools. I have seen both styles Id like to find one but not yet.

theviking · Sep 12, 2017

Nice point and Pestle. Sounds like a killer site, thanks for the view.

DigIron2 · Sep 12, 2017

very good eye points.. Cant help with the pestle, looks like a good possibility though.

jamus peek · Sep 12, 2017

rock said:
Some Roller Pestles arent completely round its just the name that its called some are flat on the sides like for grinding and sharpening bone tools. I have seen both styles Id like to find one but not yet.

Hi Rock

Do you know where I can see some roller pestles with flat sides? I have found lots of pestles and I believe I may have a few flat sided roller pestles. I did not realize they were called roller pestles.

jamus peek · Sep 12, 2017

Nice finds Captain I would also agree that looks like wear from use on the bottom. Here is a roller pestle that is purposely notched. I found it last year on Thanksgiving. I also believe it is for multi use. Possibly phallic the bottom is perfectly rounded. Probably not though. I have read though that some pestles and mortars were made for decorative purposes.

Leaves were everywhere in the creek couldn't see a thing then there was a roughly 3ft diameter circle with no leaves and this pestle was sitting there.

coosakid · Sep 12, 2017

Cool little point

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rock · Sep 14, 2017

jamus peek said:
Hi Rock

Do you know where I can see some roller pestles with flat sides? I have found lots of pestles and I believe I may have a few flat sided roller pestles. I did not realize they were called roller pestles.

Go to a artifact show Im sure some will have them. Usually plenty of examples there.