Validate artifact

[Ckrop]

I found this lovely on a Calusa Indian mound in Florida. It is made from manatee bone and in the shape of a rabbit, perhaps a hide scraper. Any ideas of uses or insight would be appreciated!

 

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[villagenut]

Most scrapers we find here are from broken quahog shells....easy to produce them. Not sure what you got.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Natural. no sign of being worked by man.

 

[traveller777]

I found this lovely on a Calusa Indian mound in Florida. It is made from manatee bone and in the shape of a rabbit, perhaps a hide scraper. Any ideas of uses or insight would be appreciated!

Just curious how you know it is manatee bone?

 

[Ckrop]

Just curious how you know it is manatee bone?

Manatee was heavily used as a tool in this region and the inner bone is visible. This find was made in the 1960s along with other tools made of manatee.

 

[traveller777]

Manatee was heavily used as a tool in this region and the inner bone is visible. This find was made in the 1960s along with other tools made of manatee.

Thanks. I was just curious. I am not an expert on this subject but the two people that answered you are very knowledgeable. You seem certain it is a Native American artifact?

 

[Ckrop]

Thanks. I was just curious. I am not an expert on this subject but the two people that answered you are very knowledgeable. You seem certain it is a Native American artifact?

There is no doubt, but I want to stress the finds were made on private property long ag. I just wanted to see what others thought!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The chip on the right side does not look like bone.

 

[Ckrop]

The chip on the right side does not look like bone.

 

[Ckrop]

The bone of the manatee is very dense and does not present as normal bone! That is why the Taino and Maya used in their carvings of which there are numerous examples.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Also, be careful, it violates federal law to dig on Indian mounds even on private property, I'm not saying you are, just stating it violates Federal law.

 

[newnan man]

True about Manatee bones. I agree with Treasure Hunter, yours is just worn down naturally. Most mounds in Florida were middens full of every kind of bone & shell imaginable. I can't tell from the pic if it really is bone. Could be the thick part of a big clam shell worn down. Good eye.

 

[traveller777]

The bone of the manatee is very dense and does not present as normal bone! That is why the Taino and Maya used in their carvings of which there are numerous examples.

How deep did you have to dig for it?

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The bone of the manatee is very dense and does not present as normal bone! That is why the Taino and Maya used in their carvings of which there are numerous examples.

Correct, it is the shape and color that makes me think it isn't bone.

 

[newnan man]

There is no doubt, but I want to stress the finds were made on private property long ag. I just wanted to see what others thought!

Again, private or not it is against the law to dig in mounds in Florida. Chances are it is just a trash midden but that is not qualified in Florida law. If it was laying on top you're probably OK.

 

[Ckrop]

Again, private or not it is against the law to dig in mounds in Florida. Chances are it is just a trash midden but that is not qualified in Florida law. If it was laying on top you're probably OK.

 

[traveller777]

Again, private or not it is against the law to dig in mounds in Florida. Chances are it is just a trash midden but that is not qualified in Florida law. If it was laying on top you're probably OK.

I know in Tennessee if it is IN the Mound or ON the mound it is still a protected site. Not sure on Florida. I will find out.

 

[Tdog]

Natural via water wear IMO also. Pareidolia will influence ones opinion.

 

[traveller777]

Natural IMO also. Pareidolia will influence ones opinion,

I love pareidolia pizza.

 

[traveller777]

Natural via water wear IMO also. Pareidolia will influence ones opinion,

But seriously you are 100% correct.