Abrading Stones

[meetmaker]

200/15/5 2011 Three Abrading Stones
With the intent of putting together as complete and contextual assemblage of worked stone from this site I found it helpful to understand the fundamental motions associated with certain artifacts. I see three basic motions, the "Slice", " Pound", and "Rub". A synthesis of Slice and Rub would be "Scrape". Combining Slice and Pound you would have the "Chop". Each motion and tool would have a purpose. Today those tools purposes are lost, they're use only a guess.
Selected are three rubbing stones whose design appears to be purpose driven. Pics are on a one centimeter grid.

[meetmaker]

The material is a sandstone. The grit is fine, uniform, black in a tan matrix. The grit looks to be more than 50% of the content.
Comfortable in hand this stone has multiple working surfaces. With a pointy end, a rounded end, both flat sides and the edges this can be held any which way and present an abrasive surface. It is possible a slab of this material was worked to shape and put to use. I have been entertaining the notion this was an irregular slab that assumed its shape during use. Form following function.

[meetmaker]

Sandstone. The grit is very fine white bits, likely Quartz, in a pale grey matrix. The grit comprises over fifty percent of the content.
Size and weight similar to a paper back book, this stone has been worked on all sides to bring to these dimensions. The two long sides are markedly straight and parallel. The one end or top is nicely rounded. In this rounded top a furrow has been worked. The furrow is nicely rounded and from one side is slightly wider, as if a funnel. This element seems to be the reason for this artifact.
A 9/16th dowel drops into this slot perfectly. I knew the ancients worked wood into shafts but I am impressed with how round they could have been. As a guess I would say this was for Atlatl shafts.
On one side there is some distinctive staining that intrigues me. On the left edge is a purple maroon stain. Scattered over the rest of this side is a more yellow (raw umber) coloration. In parts the original stone is showing. The other side shows no trace of color.

[meetmaker]

Light brown sandstone. The grit and the matrix are so fine and homogeneous the naked eye can't tell the difference. The texture is similar to a cats tongue.
Obviously a river pebble the circumstances of its finding place it as a manuport. Found above a drainage mixed with broken stone, worked stone, and no other river pebbles this stood out from the background. Long ago someone picked this up thinking " This just what I need". Not obvious at first is the nice even radius all along the circumference. This saw regular use in a proscribed fashion. Fine lines in places along the edge lead to the center. I believe a working stroke was made from the edge towards the center, not rubbed back and forth. Then it would be slightly rotated for the next stroke. This may have extended tool life by not blinding the grit. It would also produce the even wear seen on this artifact.
This was misplaced for awhile after leaving it on the sink. I found it put away in a box with things like swabs, cuticle removers, nail files and pumice stones. No confessions were offered but I was led to believe it might have made a good pedicure tool. This does not mean that that was the original use. It does illustrate why I wanted to put together as broad an assemblage as possible. Unexpected aspects of prehistoric life could come to life. Active people get calluses. People who labor for a living get calluses. I never before wondered how the Ancients treated calluses.

[deets2000]

This has a medium to fine grit. The black part of the matrix is coarser. The grey medium to fine. The tan is clay I left on the rock rather than rub off any more of the abrasive stone. If this doesn't constitute an abrading stone let me know!

[meetmaker]

Those old timers sure did a lot of rubbing. In hand what would you imagine that stone to be useful for? It looks to have had a lot of use. Stone, wood, thinning hides, dressing pottery surfaces...?

[deets2000]

Calluses! Im thinking abrading other stone. It has small circular areas that are rubbed smooth in a polishing motion. They look lighter in color than the rest of the stone! I really don't know for sure but its always handy to have another tool at hand!

[Brian Higgins]

Hey Meet here's ya an abrading stone .

[meetmaker]

That sure has seen some use....and at a specific purpose. Wonder at what? Neat piece.