Asked on Oct 27, 2015
Found rock
+39
We were up in the TN Smoky Mountains looking for natural crafting materials and found this rock. My husband thinks it might have been used as a tool by the Native Americans due to the notched groove in it. Anybody familiar with anthropology or geology that may help us see if we found a neat treasure or just a rock? Thanks and God Bless.
30 answers
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I don't have any idea.. but think its a cool rock,, I'd leave it out just as a conversation piece...away from small kids,, who think all rocks are for tossing..keep us posted.. I'd like to know also..good luck
Wanda sinnema
on Oct 27, 2015
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Looks like it could have been a weapon such as a club. Maybe pine pitch and sinew would have been used to attach a carved handle to the stone. Just a guess.
Sarah Guidry
on Oct 27, 2015
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If you have a museum in your area, they might be able to help you out. One of the kids found a "pretty rock" camping once and our museum dated it as a spear point that was nearly 2000 years old! Good luck with your find.
Mollee Kauzlarich
on Oct 27, 2015
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If you like it dont analyze the piece sit back and enjoy it.
Janet Pizaro
on Oct 27, 2015
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Definitely a tool. Native American. Check for local archaeology clubs or state archaeologist
M
on Oct 27, 2015
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Take a good magnent and see if it will stick on it. If it does, you may have a valuable metiourite but my spelling is probably not right. If it doesn't, i think W at Warren NJ could be right.
Johnny Stevenson
on Oct 27, 2015
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Please take it to a natural history museum or a archaeology college to find out and post so we can all gasp at your fabulous find!!!! Awesome!!!
Denise Boyce
on Oct 27, 2015
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Pretty sure you have the head of a hatchet dating back to Native Americans - we have several like it that have been handed down through my husband's family, his great-grandfather was Native American. Enjoy your find!!
Elizabeth
on Oct 28, 2015
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ya looks like a hammerhead NA
Wendy DeBiase
on Oct 28, 2015
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I agree with everyone else...I don't think it is "just another rock!" That grove could be to hold nuts for crackign open!
Jeanette S
on Oct 28, 2015
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Get on Artifact Addiction...it's a fantastic group of peeps that look for things just like that...I'm sure they cud tell u what it is :)
Zandra Smith
on Oct 28, 2015
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Looks like found treasure to me, no matter what else you find out about it! It's beautiful! I used to 'steal' rocks where ever I traveled and have a big egg shaped one I got in the smoky mountains. It's my favorite.
Lois Franklin
on Oct 28, 2015
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I have seen many like it in Arizona, have found some just like it myself.
Patty S
on Oct 28, 2015
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Looks like a bead gatherer. Beads were lined up in groove to string. Possibility. Take it to a museum. I bet they will be happy to help you.
Cecilia Morgan
on Oct 28, 2015
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I think that it looks like soapstone.
Mary Margaret Kelly
on Oct 28, 2015
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Following
All377999
on Oct 28, 2015
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The groove could have been made by a constant flow of water for years. We find rocks with perfect holes where water dripped on the same spot and it could be a tool like your husband said. If you really want to know for sure take it to a Museum or a geologist. Good luck and please let me know what you find out please.
Linda
on Oct 28, 2015
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A tomahawk, my uncle use to have a collection of them that he found along with arrowheads. Check with a historical society or the library for more information about it locally. Nice find
Becky Imagine Nation
on Oct 28, 2015
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I have 2 from my Grandfather, they were hammer type tools by our Native American ancestors!
Cathi
on Oct 28, 2015
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Please let us know if you find out what it actually is. Very nice whatever it is.
Laura
on Oct 28, 2015
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I agree, my husband had one that looked like that. He was always told it was a hammer head.
Elaine Simmons
on Oct 28, 2015
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I would say it's a hammer head or tomahawk. Very neat piece! I'd have a museum curator or anthropologist look it over.
Liz Straughn
on Oct 28, 2015
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I also found one and other nice arrowhead, beads, soapstone pipes (one was and otter, the other black bear) you could still see the hair too. A friend found a soapstone ceremonial ax, beautiful a historian offered him 35k for it but he didn't take it. My most valuable item was a drill bit in perfect condition and 3 spearheads. I loved hunting for these items.
Jean Worrill
on Oct 28, 2015
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Do you have a nearby museum? They might have anthropologists or archeologists who could give you more info on your item
Virginia Marcellus
on Oct 28, 2015
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I don't know what it is but I do know I sure wouldn't want to be bonked in the head with it!
Doreen Dwviniczuk
on Oct 28, 2015
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Contact Scott Wolter - history.comScott Wolter - America Unearthed Cast - HISTORY.com or at facebook.comScott Wolter | FacebookHe may be able to give you some information.
Dee Lagermann
on Oct 28, 2015
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It's probably a 'holding plate' that older civilizations used after collecting important seeds.
UpState
on Oct 29, 2015
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Maybe a grinding stone? alot easier to handle with a notch in it.
Eileen Graybill
on Oct 30, 2015
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If there is a groove on the other side, it was probably a prehistoric hammer/tomahawk. The stone would have been put in a branched stick and then the wood on each side would have been bound tightly to the stone with sinew from the spine of a deer. The sinew is wrapped when it is wet and then as it dries it shrinks/tightens and becomes hard, creating a stable hammer/tomahawk.
Jean DeSavage
on Oct 31, 2015
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Looks like a Metate ( grinding stone) or a fire starter ! Go to google and type Indian artifacts into search and look at images !!! Good luck... It's a cool find !!
Angela Coon Haley
on Nov 07, 2015
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