Expert: Ralph Salier - 6/21/2010

Question
I have a collection of stone age tools that I found on the banks of the Colorado river by McCoy Colorado.Most are shaped tools some look like animals etc.One I have never seen before and is 12 inches by seven inches, about 4 inches thick.Its heavy volcanic.one side sits well in my lap,upper side, has work marks, lines ,cane emblem,various scratches and crevice for working.Flip it over and it won't sit well on my legs,wide at the bottom(so as to sit well on flat surface on its own,The general shape looks like the Sinclair dinosaur head complete with an eye that is 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches.The eye is actually a (right semicircle thicker)bow and the string on the left thinner line.An arrow move up the bow from the bottom and midway up flares out to the arrow point which is large and goes on the left all of the way to the string.There are other etching lines and possibly stick figure of lion and man and arrow head.Have you seen this arrow sign before?

Answer
Hi Kathleen,

With out seeing the object in question, it is nearly impossible for me to give you an answer.  I would be more then happy to give you my professional opinion about this object and the others if you would be kind enough to send me photos of each one (top, bottom, side).  Be sure to include a ruler for scale and if there are incised lines, a photo showing them in shadow.  Or alternatively, lightly chalked.

You may send these photos to rsalier@hotmail.com. (please put "artifacts" in the subject line)

I will try to give you an idea of the age and use for these objects. If they are more then a few hundred years old, then tribal affiliation is meaningless since with the advent of the horse, a great deal changed for the Native Americans and their cultures.

It would help greatly if you can identify where along the Colorado (east or west side relative) as this may make a difference as well.

I look forward to seeing the photos.

Thank you,
Ralph