Can you identify this stone?
By anawar
@anawar (2404)
United States
May 1, 2008 7:05pm CST
Hi. Any Earth science people out there?
I would love to know the story of this stone. I dug it from the dirt near the Susquehana River in the Southern tier of NY State.
It's eleven inches long. It's hollowed out on both sides and they differ from each other. One end is closed and the other end is open, connecting the two sides.
I've had people try to buy this stone from me. I'm guessing its of Native American origin. There are more pictures of it on my page. The stone looks different from every angle.
Right now, it's holding my pens. I collect stones and rocks, but this is one of my favourites.
Anyone have any idea what I'm looking at?
What's the difference between a stone and a rock?
2 responses
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
2 May 08
I didn't see the rock under "your photos" on your profile.
I'll just go with the descriptions for now. Its hard to tell with the descriptions though, but its possible its a Native American artifact. Its also possible its been subject to mass erosion and geological changes that influence rocks (a discussion from a few months back was similar to this).
Usually stones can form up to form a rock or rock surface and that is the primary difference. Rocks are also noted as natural occurances from minerals and occurances due to erosion of the ground, terrain and natural formations (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic). Stones can be noted as certain individual minerals and gems. But really, the words can be used interchangibly without any real harm.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
2 May 08
Hmmm_ I just checked my page, there's three photos of the rock on there. Maybe you have to hit 'see all photos'. Let me know, because I'm really excited I found someone who's interested in my stone. If you saw it, I think you might say it's not a natural formation. It has the overall shape of a giant shoe, if that helps you visualize.
Thanks for telling me stones and rocks are mostly interchangeable words. Kind of like a broken bone is the same thing as a fractured bone.
I can't wait to hear more from you after you see the pictures. Also, other than on my page, somewhere on this website, I uploaded a life size picture of the rock. I don't know why it uploaded the entire picture, nor do I know where to look for it on this website. I was trying to attach it to my discussion but it didn't attach.
Maybe you have some ideas? Thanks for helping me
out.
I collect rocks as a hobby. But this is my most interesting and favourite one.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
2 May 08
I did see the photos now, and my mistake was that you had the photos in the top bar and I didn't look further.
As for the rock, to me it looks like its been through thousands of years of erosion. Rocks and stones can take on softened appearances due to environmental conditions over a period of many years, especially near rivers, coasts, windy areas and former sea areas (the coasts and rivers have changed level multiple times and the water levels with it). Rocks will gain different shapes due to the randomness of the process. Formations that look like shoes, tools, arrows or "soft" stabbing items are quite possible. There are even rocks and stones that are oval or near spherical.
I don't think it was a tool (but then again it is possible). I wouldn't know about selling it though, another opinion will have to be sought. I'd not sell it or buy it, but that is just me and my assessment.
For your photo question, you have to have 500 responses to be able to add images to a discussion or response.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
2 May 08
Okay, rats. I was hoping for some mystical, unique story for this rock. I think it's funny that someone wanted to buy it. Of course, its not for sale.
Thanks for spending time to look at my stone, and send me your thoughts. Your response was detailed and informational. Now I have more knowledge than I had yesterday.
Thanks for the heads-up on the five hundred post rule.
Take care.
