What would this artifact been used for?

[bout2break]

Found couple rock artifacts about yr ago but unsure what they were used for. Kinda knew to site but from what ive seen yall know your stuff so thought i would put it out there
Pic 1&2: rock is smooth on sides with "hole" in middle - when u hold it thumb and forefinger fit perfectly in "hole" or space. Have a front and side view of it.
Pic 3&4- rock shaped as a bowl with small hole on one side of "bowl" - Have a top and side pic showing both areas.
Thanks for yall's help.

 

[rock]

Ive never seen anything like it before. A guess would be a paint pot. How big is it as in inches across and depth?

 

[bout2break]

It's hard to tell in pic but that is a matchbook beside it so when looking down on it bout same size as matchbook. The width is little thicker than sides of matchbox.

 

[rock]

So its tiny then? I have no idea for sure on it. I have seen some being natural and some being fire starters as it being like a hand held cap on the stick. Maybe somebody will know.

 

[surf]

Me neither, but I'd like to see more pictures in the light of day, and to know if the side hole goes through. What does the base look like? Thanks for showing your find.

 

[bout2break]

Ok - took these pics see if it helps.

Pic 1: Side view of "bowl" where hole is - it does go through into the "bowl" but does not go through the other side of "bowl"
Pic 2: Backside pic of "bowl" - solid/no hole
Pic 3 Looking down into "bowl

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Looks like a Pebble Pipe to me. The side hole definitely looks to have been drilled. Very cool find.

Here is one I found on a Ft Ancient site. It too is very small. The "bowl" on mine is natural, but the stem hole has been drilled into it. When I cleaned this out it was full of black ash in the bottom.

 

[quito]

Well I have heard the whiteman didn't like the natives smoking, even forbid it, and that they made their pipes smaller and easier to conceal, but I didn't think they made them quite that small. Those are really something!!!

 

[Sidevalve45]

Looks like a pipe to me but I'm no expert. I'd like to find something like that. Sidevalve45

 

[SCARFOOT]

I also have a few of these items and I believe the earlier gentleman stated it correctly...Its a pipe!!!

 

[bout2break]

Thanks yall makes sense now. I just couldnt figure why make something so small - what purpose it would serve. Very informative - thank u.
Just so u know: Found bout year ago in a field that had been recently plowed up. Field is located in area near what was Cherokee town called Dirt Town between Rome and Summerville

 

[rock]

Thats great I have never seen a pipe like that one before. Now I got something new to look for.

 

[yakker]

For a moment I thought maybe it was a device for starting fires... stick twirling- makes coal which pops out side to ignite tinder... but I like the pipe idea better. sometimes I think too far out of the box for my own good... Yak