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Archaeology/unknown artifact

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Expert: - 10/2/2010


Question

Mysterious stone
I was going through a friends collection of Native American artifacts found by an archeologist around 1920 or so.  This item was included and I am at my wits end trying to figure this one out!  Is it old?  Does it belong in this collection? What in the world is it?  It is 3" by 2.75". It appears to be made out of stone and handcarved.  There is a drill hole at each "corner" and a partial drill hole at the middle top. I am attaching a picture and have two more to send that may help.  

Answer
Hi Chris,  

Please send me the additional pics at: rsalier@hotmail.com and put artifact in the subject line.  Also if you can, can you put a light source behind it?  I'd be curious to see if light gets transmitted through the stone.  

It looks like it may be a soapstone or shale.  Can you identify the type of stone?

Also are the other pics of different aspects, like the back side and perhaps one from the side to show thickness?

At  this point I would say that it is a Gorget but I'm not sure until I see more of it.

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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