Need help identifying something I found in a Kentucky Burial mound

I found this almost 2 decades ago when i was a child, and i would like to know if this is anything of importance.


A tree had fallen over that had grown out of an obscured pattern of mounds, and this was exposed.
compsforkids.org




Anyway, would just like to know what the members experienced, or knowledgeable, enough in this sort of thing have to say.


Thanks.

I couldn't get the images to show up. Would like to see them.

a reply to: benwyatt

Neither of your rocks are showing up
Have you tried uploading them to this website and then directly linking them

On the top line of the page where at the left you have the ATS logo, further along is a down arrow, click on that and then select "upload", then click on the grey upload cloud at the top left of the window, the rest should be self explanatory.

When you've uploaded the images, just click on one and then copy and paste the [ pic ] [ /pic ] code directly into your next message

a reply to: Marduk

I have been wondering how to do that for a long time.

Thank you.

Uploading now.

The darkness at the tip is interesting. Does it appear stained, or just darker stone? Is the edge sharp at all? This almost looks like it could be used for scraping hide. Good size for fitting in the hand. Just a guess though.

a reply to: 321equinox

i think my WAMP server just got sWAMPed. sorry guys. should be fixed.

a reply to: benwyatt
I figured it must be my doggy laptop.

It's shape looks similar to this prehistoric knife found in Vietnam...



Source

a reply to: 321equinox

Some of the darker spots are actually some kind of deposit/vein of a darker mineral, i presume. It is not sharp anymore and i figure it is from the "stone age" but it seems much more worn on one side so you may be right about the scraping of skins.

It does resemble a Native American leather scraper, there's a lot of images for comparison here
google images

Or it could be a rock

If its the former, they usually go for between $10 - $20. They are just rocks after all...
ebay leather scrapers

a reply to: Murgatroid

HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!

ME LIKE

BAM BAM! BAM!

It may be a tool, but it could just as easily be some form of ceremonial piece. Possibly a bird?

What sort of wear does it have? It looks like, maybe, sandstone? If so, I don't think it'll be a knife, though a scraper is possible.

Just guessing, my level of expertise doesn't extend much past "guess"...or "that's cool, what is it?".

a reply to: seagull

Thats good enough for me. Its not sandstone though. it is as hard as granite but it isn't flint, though flint, quartz, and sandstone are in the vicinity.

I am still scratching my head trying to see a bird.

a reply to: benwyatt

The point is the tail. Head would be the end of the hilt.

Now, it's lacking anything resembling a wing, or legs...nor do I see any sign there ever were any...so it probably isn't a bird.

It just kinda looked like it might resemble a bird, sort of...

One way to find out more about the artifact would be to contact someone from your state historical society or possibly someone in the anthropology department of a nearby university.

You should also be aware that taking artifacts from burial mounds is, technically, illegal. See link here. You clearly didn't take the artifact with any ill intent, and I doubt you would be prosecuted now, 20 years after the fact, but it is something you should be aware of in the event you look into the object further and speak with people more knowledgeable in the field.

I think it's a Hammerstone used for Flint Knapping.

It could also be mounted hammer. In one of the images there appears to be some additional wear around the hook part of the stone where a wooden handle may have been attached.

Is it possible to post a few more pictures? Especially of the edges and ends.

I've found a few images of stones very similar to this.

What is the actual color of the stone itself?

-dex

Have you tried playing it in a CD player?

Looks like it might be a pestle.

Maybe a hammer.

originally posted by: TheWonderkid
Have you tried playing it in a CD player?

I just popped your star cherry.

Speaking as professional leatherworker and knapper, I would lean towards knapping as it is fairly bulky for a scraper and is articulated in a fashion common to antler tools (and lacks the groves and deposits indicative of a handled tool like a hammer). If it did in fact come from a burial mound then you should contact the nearest tribal authority as soon as possible. Taking burial artifacts is not only illegal but in fairly poor taste as it is disrespectful. Being in Kentucky, you won't be able to find a federally recognized tribe nearby, however there are several locations for the state representatives of the Shawnee along the Ohio and Cherokee towards the mountains. Since it seems it was not taken with malice, it will likely be happily accepted for reburial and sometimes they are even happy to trade something less sacred for it as a token of good will and appreciation. Private message me if you need help finding the appropriate outlet for such an artifact.

Also it is worth noting that there are plenty of non burial artifacts in Kentucky as it was used by a large variety of tribes and contained notably few permanent settlements. I use several non burial artifacts as tools as they frequently work better than modern tools (and it feels like honoring my ancestors to boot).