FWIW: Anvil 3/ Coarse Stone Applications

[meetmaker]

Weighing three pounds and five ounces this Quartzite Anvil was found in Mahoning County, Ohio in 2011. An attractive sparkling grey, in some light a subtle blue, this is a pretty stone in its own right. Signs of use add interest as an artifact. The presence of associated artifacts enhances that interest. The first three photos show both sides, one a quartering up view, and the base. It is the texture of the base that shows the effort put into polishing the rest of the surface. Leaving those two iron stained spots of raised stone? The side planes lead to a ridge ( now saddle backed ) on top, running centrally down the length. Much like the bit of a cross peen hammer, this is the working surface. In the fourth picture this top surface and the battering of use wear is displayed with two closely associated artifacts. This anvil lends itself to very simple stone work. Essentially laying one stone partially on top of another and then breaking off the unsupported part. A large shard from a granite boulder could be quickly fashioned into something like that ergonomic heel of the palm hoe. The battering scars would likely be from the material striking the anvil, not so much by the hammer stone. This has been another scaffolding post.

[justonemore]

Wow!