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Identity HelpFossils?

10th Oct 2014 03:17 UTCRachel

Anyone know what these are? The 3 largest ones are all very heavy.

*Found in Michigan...

Thank you for your time! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rachel

10th Oct 2014 04:57 UTCBob Harman

Your 2 top pix and the bottom left with the ruler look mostly like ancient Native American artifacts; like an axe head or animal skin scraper and hand held "pounder" etc ???

I suggest taking these to a local college and showing them to an anthropologist well versed in locally found Michigan Native American artifacts. Your lower right and last pix look like water worn concretions, possibly of siderite?? Anyway none, to me, really look like fossils. BTW, if they are Native American artifacts and were found under certain circumstances, there might be strict Michigan laws about the finds and their removal so be aware of that. There are laws about that here in Indiana. CHEERS…….BOB

10th Oct 2014 17:11 UTCOlivier Langelier

I agree with Bob's assessment, looks very much like native artifacts.

Nice find by the way!

10th Oct 2014 17:55 UTCRachel

My son will be so exited, just at the possibility of that- I will call around to inquire about having looked at. I will also do se research on the laws about removing such. He is 10 and was bringing his "rock" finds home in a wagon. I never even thought about laws the may be breaking

10th Oct 2014 17:59 UTCRachel

Let me try this again....

My son will be so exited, just at the possibility of that- I will call around to inquire about having them looked at. I will also do some research on the laws about removing such. He is 10 and was bringing his "rock" finds home in a wagon. I never even thought about laws the may be breaking

10th Oct 2014 20:52 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

I wouldn't jump on the artifact bandwagon too quickly. Water and/or wind can create some pretty interesting shapes in rocks, especially in limestones which is what you appear to have. Still, I would take them to either a local college in your area or perhaps a mineral club to verify what you have.

10th Oct 2014 21:05 UTCJohn Oostenryk

Hi Rachel,

Ok - bad news! Been doing avocational Midwest Archaeology for 15 years- those are not artifacts.

In your first post of 4 pics- the top two are some sort of iron concretion. Michigan has plenty of iron deposits in places.

The lower left looks like an 'omar'- A rock with a hole in it. IA state geological survey had an excellent article on them- but they have rearranged their website and I can't find it! Wonderful progress!

The last is as the others state- also an iron type concretion.

The other two pics you post- have more rocks, no artifacts. :)

Tell him to keep looking, there are always cool things to find outside! :)

As to illegal artifacts- just don't pick them up to KEEP in state(county) or federal parks. You can look and touch- just put them back.

Private property is no problemo;)

Are there any rock clubs or archaeology groups in your area? Check in with them-

It may take a few visits possibly to gain some solid trust(folks may be tight with info a bit- specially to adults-just human nature. They may have spent years figuring out where to go themselves... BUT-everyone likes seeing kids interested and typically are happy to get them solid info on where to go find stuff!

Really-GO!

sincerely-

John O:)

10th Oct 2014 22:50 UTCBob Harman

JOHN , Just to clarify the laws, as I understand the Indiana Native American artifact laws, if you find them on the surface while plowing your private fields, that is ok, but if you happen to come upon or excavate a site, even on private lands, you cannot further excavate or otherwise disturb it. The finder must call the appropriate state agencies. After they investigate it determinations will be made. It is not so unusual to have construction sites put on hold while old accidentally uncovered Native American sites are examined.

As to Rachel's found artifacts or stone tools, let's see what the experts say after they examine them. CHEERS……..BOB

10th Oct 2014 23:17 UTCRachel

Wow! Thank you all for the great info!

Never 'bad news' Jon.. That's the beauty of being 10- possibilities and what-it's are as good as gold.:) I will get information on local clubs, he would LOVE that. He asked for a metal detector for his 8th birthday, in doing that he found fossils, rocks and minerals to be more interesting- I can't keep up, helping him as much as I would like as there is SO much to know. I can understand why folks are guarded with their hard earned intel:)!

Again, thank you all so much! You put a smile on my lil guys face by simply knowing now what some of his things are:)

Rachel

11th Oct 2014 02:12 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

You do realise Rachel that your lil one can find minerals with his metal detector??

The greatest native copper deposits in the world are found in your home state of Michigan, you'll just have to travel to the Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan to find them. If he is that interested in rocks, minerals, and the earth sciences, I would highly recommend finding a rock/mineral club near you in Michigan and join.

27th Oct 2014 13:13 UTCRachel

Update:

I followed up with GVSU, the professor's response was agreeable to John's . She offered to look at them but I'd hate to waste her time as she seemed pretty confident in knowing what they are. Thank you all for the awesome help- what a cool site!!!

Sincerely,

Rachel

27th Oct 2014 16:15 UTCJohn Oostenryk

Hi Rachel!

Thanks for coming back to relate the outcome- I REALLY appreciate knowing.

Good job on the followup!

Happy Hunting!

~JO:)

27th Oct 2014 17:10 UTCDoug Daniels

Rachel -

You wouldn't really be wasting the prof's time. Most are willing to help point out things, and that would be especially helpful if you took your son with you. They might even have some displays or other materials to show. And, they are always looking to interest future students to come to their institution.....

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