River rock possible artifact

[ParkersMom]

what is this?

 

[SkaBa]

How and where was it found? Cool looking for sure!

 

[ParkersMom]

My son found this. He finds many Treasures along the Yellowstone River in Montana where we live and out on his grandparents Farm. I love to help him learn about them, but this one... I'm sure couldn't just possibly be another River Rock. Can anybody help us out?

 

[ParkersMom]

He found it along the Yellowstone River walking the bank with his uncle looking for agates and buffalo skulls.

 

[southerndata]

How come one foot has a sock on it and the other does not? Very strange indeed.

 

[old digger]

First of all Welcome to tnet!

There may be some disagreement as to what your item is, but I believe it is an artifact that was used softening and stretching tanned hides.

The eastern part of the state is my favorite part of the state to look for artifact, from fossils to Indian artifacts. From the the northern part clear down to the southeastern area. I used to live and work around the Glendive area and also north of the Wolfpoint area. Both areas have their share of neat items to find.

 

[ParkersMom]

One foot is my husband's and one foot is mine. Haha I told him that looks really funny in the picture.

 

[ParkersMom]

Thank you for that information. I will share it with my son and he will be exited to hear that. We were back walking the river today and found some buffalo bones, some fossils, some things we didn't know what they were haha and some beautiful agates. It is a beautiful wide open area. We love our big Sky country. :-)

 

[P.ALLEN]

Could be a fossil, get some up close photos please.

 

[unclemac]

First of all Welcome to tnet!

There may be some disagreement as to what your item is, but I believe it is an artifact that was used softening and stretching tanned hides.

The eastern part of the state is my favorite part of the state to look for artifact, from fossils to Indian artifacts. From the the northern part clear down to the southeastern area. I used to live and work around the Glendive area and also north of the Wolfpoint area. Both areas have their share of neat items to find.

are you able to post an example of that?

 

[old digger]

I am not able at this time to post photo's with my computer, but I have seen several examples of this tool. I have also talked to several elder Crow tribal members about how they softened the hides. Most of the larger hides (after drying) were laid out on a hard flat surface and rubbed down with round river rock to soften the hide. Smaller hides were often softened and stretched with a elongated stone tool. I was told that they would not use wood as it would tend to catch the hide and tear it. Polished stone and antler bone was more safer to use.

If you blow up the photo's on each one you will see that both ends are polished, and the end on the right in both photo's actually has a worn down angle on it.

 

[Old Pueblo]

All I know is that if a Native American found that thing, they would have picked it up and used it for something. The best way to determine if it was used for something would be to look for ware marks.