What is it? need help

[lostlake88]

Chuck (Ohio) found this interesting "thing" on the bank of the Ohio River yesterday. Initially my thoughts were modern, but now we both believe it is some sort of artifact. We determined it is polished stone (granite) and with magnification etched lines are evident. Just what in the heck is it? Are we smoking something?

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Possible Ear Plug or Lip Plug??

 

[ohio]

Steve, I am not sure really. I had not considered that. It is definitely a curious rock.

Chuck

 

[Th3rty7]

Interesting piece Chuck, I've never seen anything quite like it. I know it's not, but the shape sure looks like a spinning reel handle. Could it possibly be part of an effigy or birdstone?

 

[joshuaream]

My first thought was one of the New York/Quebec style birdstones with square peg eyes, but the material, shape and area don't really fit with your find. My other guess would be the base 'tab' off a Micmac type pipe.

Here's one, most are drilled but I've seen some more ornate ones with multiple tabs where only one was drilled.

 

[lostlake88]

My first thought was one of the New York/Quebec style birdstones with square peg eyes, but the material, shape and area don't really fit with your find. My other guess would be the base 'tab' off a Micmac type pipe.

Here's one, most are drilled but I've seen some more ornate ones with multiple tabs where only one was drilled.

I would like to see an example of the square eye peg variety.

 

[moundbuilder]

Chuck (Ohio) found this interesting "thing" on the bank of the Ohio River yesterday. Initially my thoughts were modern, but now we both believe it is some sort of artifact. We determined it is polished stone (granite) and with magnification etched lines are evident. Just what in the heck is it? Are we smoking something?

That is odd, the patina in the etched lines sure looks ancient. Are you sure it's granite, it held a really high polish if it is. I have seen naturally occurring low-grade fluorite that looks a little like parts of that piece and it can be highly polished. It almost seems that by it's unrecognizable uniqueness that it must be some part of a pipe, my opinion. MB

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl.../images?q=fluorite&um=1&hl=en&sa=G&tbs=isch:1

 

[joshuaream]

That's an interesting thought that it might not be granite... What about pipestone or chlorite? The Scioto County outcrops can't be too far up stream from where you found this.