organic, not metal...

[naturegirl]

Hi all! I found a fish scale that I posted in the artifacts section a while back, but no one could say if it is an arrowhead point or not. I'm fairly sure it's a gar scale, but I can't find any online that look like this. So I need help all you fisher-people out there, what is this?

Thanks,
naturegirl

 

[fisher2]

gar it looks like prolly around 2.5ft long

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It sure looks like a Garfish scale. I never ate one but the Seminole Indians did. I heard you could cut one in half and put it right on the fire and cook it with the scales on. I would imagine the native Indians could have used them for arrowheads esp if flint wasnt available. Our native Indians used shark teeth. What state do you live in? http://www.seashells.com/bulkasstseashells/gar.htm

 

[taz42o]

http://www.lithiccastinglab.com/gallery-pages/garscalespage1.htm

 

[naturegirl]

See how it's shaped different than the usual diamond shape of gar scales? That's what I'm trying to pin down. I can't find a picture of another one shaped that way, I searched online for hours. I was hoping someone really familiar with the fish might know why this one looks so different. Thnx for the replys,

ng

 

[naturegirl]

The pictures I've found of points made by natives don't look like they altered the scales much at all, so this one doesn't really look like known points either. Thank you taz42o

ng

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

See how it's shaped different than the usual diamond shape of gar scales? That's what I'm trying to pin down. I can't find a picture of another one shaped that way, I searched online for hours. I was hoping someone really familiar with the fish might know why this one looks so different. Thnx for the replys,

ng

Did you find this one with the others?

 

[naturegirl]

No, I found this one by it's self. The others are just what I've brought home over the years. All from the same river.

ng

 

[trikikiwi]

Hi all! I found a fish scale that I posted in the artifacts section a while back, but no one could say if it is an arrowhead point or not. I'm fairly sure it's a gar scale, but I can't find any online that look like this. So I need help all you fisher-people out there, what is this?

Thanks,
naturegirl

No, I found this one by it's self. The others are just what I've brought home over the years. All from the same river.
ng

I think you have your answer. Why on earth would you expect every gar scale/denticle to be identical?

Mike

 

[naturegirl]

Hi trikiwiki,

no, I don't expect them to be identical, they aren't. But this one seems very different in form, and I can be slightly obsessive. I'll look again for an online fish forum. There must be someone who loves this fish enough to know every scale on it's body!

Thanks so much for the replys everyone,

ng

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It is unique and would tie on great as an arrowhead. But it is probably not old and is most likely not an Indian arrowhead imo. I dont think it was cut. It looks natural.But I understand your interest wanting to know why its different and what part of the Gar it came from to make it different. But if it is very old, then the possibility exists that it could have been used.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

I've seen a few fish scales and the fact is, when a scale dries completely it will take on it's own form by shrinking and folding etc..so, I don't think it was cut intentionally if it is indeed a fish scale.http://australianmuseum.net.au/ganoid-scales/