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Archaeology/Rock with carvings

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Expert: - 10/20/2010


Question

Rock with carvings
I live near the banks of the Mississippi River in Central Mississippi near a site well know for Choctaw Indian artifacts.  I recently found this rock in my yard.  It is approx. 5" tall and 2 1/2 to 3" thick. The top and bottom are flat (looks like a lot of work went into making them flat)  the carving is surely made by humans.  Can you give me some insight into what it might be.  A local person said he believed it was used in some sort of ceremony.  

Answer
Hi Margie,

It is a little hard to see the design in the photo.  But it does clearly show that the design was "pecked" through the outer patina of the stone.  While it is a bit unusual to see this kind of bass-relief on a stone of this size, it is not unheard of.  Most of these kinds of Glyphs are found on rocky out crops further up the big muddy.  And yes, such stones would have been ceremonial in use but may also have been used to establish a treaty, boundary, or identify rank within a group like shaman or "chief".  

Would you kindly send me some additional photos of the carved area?  It is an interesting Glyph and I'd like to compare it to some of the Mayan and Aztec Glyphs to see if there is any commonality. There is some thought that the Aztec or others from Meso-America may have had a strong influence on the Mississippian peoples of the 1400's along the Mississippi water way (you may know them as Cahokians).

If you would send the additional photos to me at rsalier@hotmail.com with a subject line of "stone carving", I would greatly appreciate it.  Once have them, I may be able to provide more information about its use and cultural identity.  

Ralph 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.

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