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Archaeology/hand carved stone

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Expert: - 5/12/2011


Question

necklace bead?
My son was playing at a friends house tonight in Columbia Falls and found an interesting round stone. It is a little bigger than a regular sized marble, has a hole in the center with other holes through out. On two sides there are some markings. I am thinking it was part of a necklace. I tried to take pictures but my camera is no liking it up close.

Answer
Hi Ken,

It could easily be a bead of some type.  It could be a fired clay which could feel like stone. It could of course be a carved stone bead.  The Chinese are famous for their carved beads.

The photo is fairly good.  Try placing it on a flat surface with a coin next to it.  Then focus on the coin.   It may not have quite the depth of field but it would allow me to get a better view.  Then also take a few images of the carvings too. I can blow the image up to a degree.   The coin will also give me an idea of scale.  

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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