Two Puzzling Pieces Of Hardstone

[Th3rty7]

I found these two pieces earlier this year in the same area I hunt in Va. The first piece has lots of polish from grinding into form or use-wear, I'm not sure which. Three of the sides are slightly concave and have polish and the bottom has some polish and grinding marks. I wonder if this is a finished piece or an evolved preform at an unfinished stage. I think it would work well as a mano as it is and the use marks seem to support that. I showed it to my knowledgeable hunting buddy and he suggested unfinished gorget or bannerstone and or tablet. I can't figure it out, any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Th3rty7]

The second piece was found about 30 feet from the first. It shows lots of pecking marks and ground and polished areas. It sits straight up on its own when sitting on a flat surface, the bottom is really squared off. My best guess on this piece is stone pipe preform but again that's just my best guess. Any opinions on this one?

I can get better close ups if anyone needs them.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

First one could be a Tablet preform. Is there any Adena sites near by?

The second one has definitely had the hell pecked out of it for some reason. I wonder if maybe they saw the natural shape and thought to themselves it would make a nice Pipe or Geniculate but after starting to work on it realized it was to hard of a stone to try to drill through for a bowl, stem, or hole for the Bannerstone.



Then again, maybe it was something a squaw made for those long nights alone when her man was on a hunting trip. Chick-a-bow, Chick-a-bow-wow!

 

[Th3rty7]

First one could be a Tablet preform. Is there any Adena sites near by?

The second one has definitely had the hell pecked out of it for some reason. I wonder if maybe they saw the natural shape and thought to themselves it would make a nice Pipe or Geniculate but after starting to work on it realized it was to hard of a stone to try to drill through for a bowl, stem, or hole for the Bannerstone.



Then again, maybe it was something a squaw made for those long nights alone when her man was on a hunting trip. Chick-a-bow, Chick-a-bow-wow!

Adena and Hopewell stuff is scarce around here though I've found examples of both, 30 - 40 miles west of here it's pretty common. Your opinion on the second piece is pretty much my thoughts exactly. Always appreciate your opinion Steve, thanks for weighing in...and thanks for the laugh too.

 

[Twitch]

Th3rty7 - Did you find any scented candles and Barry White 8-tracks with the second? In context that could tell us a lot?

 

[Ryan6060]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,338797.msg2444372.html#msg2444372


Reminds me of this object I found- very similar.

 

[NaturalJWL]

Just a question.

Do you think the two pieces maybe were used together to work hides, soften, dehair, ect >?

 

[Th3rty7]

Th3rty7 - Did you find any scented candles and Barry White 8-tracks with the second? In context that could tell us a lot?

You guys are cracking me up. I'm calling it the frank and beans effigy.

 

[Th3rty7]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,338797.msg2444372.html#msg2444372


Reminds me of this object I found- very similar.

Thanks for linking that up I remember that piece and it is very similar.

 

[Th3rty7]

Just a question.

Do you think the two pieces maybe were used together to work hides, soften, dehair, ect >?

Hadn't thought of that, possibly I suppose? Good idea I appreciate your opinion and input.

 

[SOHIO]

Then again, maybe it was something a squaw made for those ...blah blah blah

Reminds me of the "strangest thing I ever found thread". You just can't help yourself can you. Good times

 

[creek astronaut]

I dont know how i missed this post??The first one could be a platform/anvil/grinding stone.My first initial thought on seeing the second one was that it looked like an odd shaped pestle.nice mystery pieces.

 

[Tnmountains]

Th3rty7 - Did you find any scented candles and Barry White 8-tracks with the second? In context that could tell us a lot?

 

[quito]

all things considered, I'd say knapping instrument.

Joel

 

[Th3rty7]

I dont know how i missed this post??The first one could be a platform/anvil/grinding stone.My first initial thought on seeing the second one was that it looked like an odd shaped pestle.nice mystery pieces.

Appreciate your input and opinion Greg. I think some type of platform sounds about right, the bottom side seems to have been a grinding stone by the use wear and markings...perhaps it had multiple uses.

I'm starting to think that the other was some type of tool instead of preform like you and Joel and others have suggested. The pecking looks more like use wear imo. Maybe an odd shaped hammer, or pestle / grinding stone.

Thanks for the help guys.