Topic ID #6437 - posted 12/8/2009 12:57 AM
Prodigalson
Strange Citron Artifact I found
Prodigalson
I was meditating at a large creek, recently part of the bank on the other side gave way, exposing sand and stones onto the side I was at. I looked down one day, felt kind of drawn to the spot, and just picked up this ordinary looking stone. After picking it up, I saw clearly, this is no ordinary rock.
I thought it was a large agate since it clearly was translucent, yet noticed some what looked like flaking cut into it. I grew up hunting for arrow heads with my dad, so know what flaking is, but the shape was so odd, it had me perplexed for months. I figured out that the cuts fit perfectly into my left hand, the tip part forming the natural triangle yours does when you make a loose fist was cut into it on the top, on the sides, they were perfect indents for your fingertips. This thing fits in your left hand like a glove when it comes down to it.
The thing I noticed as well, there doesn't appear to be any wear on the outside of it, so can't imagine it was used to grind up things, also can't imagine how practical it would be used for a weapon. I suppose it may have some use with acupressure or something, and that also seems befitting that they would use a healing stone, for it appears to be a citron, so am kind of leaning towards it being used for healing purposes.
I've searched the web for something similar to this and am at a loss so am going to post it here. Let me know what you think.
I can take more photo's on request.
I thought it was a large agate since it clearly was translucent, yet noticed some what looked like flaking cut into it. I grew up hunting for arrow heads with my dad, so know what flaking is, but the shape was so odd, it had me perplexed for months. I figured out that the cuts fit perfectly into my left hand, the tip part forming the natural triangle yours does when you make a loose fist was cut into it on the top, on the sides, they were perfect indents for your fingertips. This thing fits in your left hand like a glove when it comes down to it.
The thing I noticed as well, there doesn't appear to be any wear on the outside of it, so can't imagine it was used to grind up things, also can't imagine how practical it would be used for a weapon. I suppose it may have some use with acupressure or something, and that also seems befitting that they would use a healing stone, for it appears to be a citron, so am kind of leaning towards it being used for healing purposes.
I've searched the web for something similar to this and am at a loss so am going to post it here. Let me know what you think.
I can take more photo's on request.
Post ID#16452 - replied 12/8/2009 1:18 PM
FireArch
Moderator
From the photos it looks like a very nice piece of microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony in this case) cobble that has been assayed - that is a couple of flakes have been struck off in an effort to determine the character of the stone and its suitability for additional knapping. As to other possible uses, that would take personal inspection and likely residue analysis.
Cool looking material no matter what it is however.
Cheers
Cool looking material no matter what it is however.
Cheers
Post ID#16588 - replied 12/18/2009 1:39 AM
dirtscratcher
In the first photo, the knobby part to the top right looks like it is battered. It could be a simple hammer used for flaking other material. I have several flint hammers that look very similar to the battered looking end.
Post ID#16589 - replied 12/18/2009 2:14 AM
Prodigalson
The problem is, it fits in your hand like a glove, each flake was taken away to form a perfect fit for your hand and fingers. When you observe the top of it, thet knobby area, just like when you hold a fist, it fits into your index finger, forming a perfect triangle. It doesn't protrude outwards, so wouldn't be practical to use to smash something with. The exposed area doesn't appear to have any wear on it at all, it's quite rough. Also, you wouldn't want to risk damaging such a beautiful stone, I'd use another, more common material for that purpose.
Post ID#16595 - replied 12/18/2009 7:00 AM
Heather626
Do we have to go through the whole "but it fits in my hand" argument again?
Post ID#16596 - replied 12/18/2009 8:44 AM
Prodigalson
[quote:="Heather626"]Do we have to go through the whole "but it fits in my hand" argument again?
I'm right handed hunny.. rotfl
I'm right handed hunny.. rotfl
Post ID#16597 - replied 12/18/2009 12:03 PM
prisoner
maybe you have found your hand twin, albeit in the past.
Post ID#16598 - replied 12/18/2009 12:45 PM
Prodigalson
Just saying, it is fashioned to be held in the left hand which makes this piece a bit more unique. So far, nothing like it has ever been found before and the main reason I signed up to this place is to find a positive identity for it.
Post ID#16601 - replied 12/18/2009 4:11 PM
FireArch
Moderator
This is what I see.
It is possible that it may have been used as a hammerstone, though generally MCQ material makes for poor hammers as they are not a durable as say volcanic and metavolcanic stones.
As for the fits in the hand argument. So what? Lots of things fit in your hand, but that does not proved they were used as tools. Use-wear tells whether something was utilized or not.
Post ID#16706 - replied 1/1/2010 11:11 PM
SiletzSpey
It looks like a piece of carnelian agate, and all such agate that I've found has natural pot marks and chicken-foot marks on it. And most non-beach agate of any type I find seems to have a flake or two off it, which I usually attribute to natural causes.
Pictured is a round piece of carnelian I fetched from a coastal stream near Yachats Oregon, and the flat piece a mile from my house near Brownsville Oregon. The top surface of the flat piece has those foot-marks on it (see closeup).
--SiletzSpey
Pictured is a round piece of carnelian I fetched from a coastal stream near Yachats Oregon, and the flat piece a mile from my house near Brownsville Oregon. The top surface of the flat piece has those foot-marks on it (see closeup).
--SiletzSpey
Post ID#16707 - replied 1/1/2010 11:50 PM
DesertSuperRat
[quote:="Prodigalson"]Just saying, it is fashioned to be held in the left hand which makes this piece a bit more unique. So far, nothing like it has ever been found before and the main reason I signed up to this place is to find a positive identity for it.
You've come to the right place. It's definitely a rock, possibly an expedient tool. The fact that it fits your left hand "like a glove" means absolutely nothing.
You've come to the right place. It's definitely a rock, possibly an expedient tool. The fact that it fits your left hand "like a glove" means absolutely nothing.
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