AboutRalph Salier Expertise Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.
Experience
Past/Present clients Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.
Question hello,
My son found this Item in the playground of the Wanamassa school during recess. I always thought it was a big Ball Bearing (2" round). a friend of mine recently told me it was a cannonball & that the british used to chase locals up into deal lake firing at them & it may be one of those. How can I found out & authenticate it?
Answer Hi Dan,
Send me a photo of the object. Place a ruler or coin next to it for scale and give me the details of where this was found (I don't know where Wanamassa is) and if your son dug it up or if it was on the surface of the ground or what ever the circumstances may have been. After I take a look at it, I may be able to identify it or if not, I will direct you to a museum that should be able to do so. If it is 2" round, it could be some thing called large grape shot. The British and Americans did use this type of munition during the Revolution but typically it was lead shot vs. iron or steel. To make shot our of steel would be prohibitively expensive so it was generally not used except for real cannon balls (16 lbs and up). However, that doesn't mean that it could not have been used.
Grape shot was also generally smaller, the size of grapes. Larger shot was uncommon except it may have been used as shot for a "deck gun" or a small cannon often seen on ships to help repel borders or for signaling. This would be uncommon on a ground excursion.\\ Please send the photo to me at rsalier@hotmail.com and I will provide my analysis and if you tell me where you live, a museum you can take it to for authentication if appropriate.
