Ok what the heck is this?

[MCS]

Has anyone seen anything like this? It is 3-1/2" long and is very smooth. It's heavy for its size and the color makes me think hematite but is dull compared to the hematite pieces I have seen.
Any ideas?

[Tdog]

Looks like a water polished rock. Not an artifact IMO.

[Rockit Man]

We find alot of the same size and shaped rocks like that in our middens in Texas. Not neccesarily that material but smoothed and shaped from use, not river polished. I keep all examples of this because I believe they were used as some sort of tool. I just did a quick photo set of 2 of my simular finds from coke county Texas. the 1 on the left is pretty generic it is 3&1/4 inches x 13 16ths wide and about 1/2 inch thick the one on the right is 3 inches long, 3/4 to 7/8ths wide and 1/2 in thick. It has a hammer end and a chisle end and clearly has 5 hand made hash marks on the hammer end thumbside. I am not sure what the materials are.

[ghost recon]

Originally Posted by Rockit Man

We find alot of the same size and shaped rocks like that in our middens in Texas. Not neccesarily that material but smoothed and shaped from use, not river polished. I keep all examples of this because I believe they were used as some sort of tool.

Agreed. I think the polish and squared off sides are manmade. I find alot of worked pieces of hardstone that don't fit into a specific type or category.

Mark, I'm not sure what that piece was intended for. Maybe an unusual bar weight, or an unfinished preform. Jmo.

[MCS]

It may take years but we will figure out these odd items found in Indian villages. Of course there could be a book out there written in 1890 or 1940 etc...! that ID's them already.LOL

[Rockit Man]

If there are reports / books on this unique item, I would love to get my hands on it and read it. thanks for bringing this to light MCS. I hope we get many more responses and insight into these tools.

[Steve Valentine]

Looks like a natural stone to me. I don't see any evidence whatsoever in your photos of it being worked by man.

[Rockit Man]

Thats ok. if You and I ever meet I will let you hold that piece in your hand and let you decide on your own. This is why I have a problem with pictures and will be reluctant to post any more of my finds on any site. Thanks for your opinion and lets just call this one a stalemate.

[Indianasmith]

Don't be shy, Rockit! This site is here to educate; we want to see your stuff.

[Dirty_Digger]

If it looks like a river rock, tastes like a river rock, smells like a river rock...... It is in deed a river rock. If you find it miles away from a river, then you found an old river bed. Or just a rock that fell off a truck that was hauling gravel. Dont get your panties in a bunch because someone thinks its not an artifact. If your dead set on it being an artifact, PROVE IT! But one mistake most collectors make, me included, is to assume something is legit when its not.