2 stones - worked?

pueblo

Both these stones have highly unusual shapes, both are a very dense, almost black stone(pocerallanite? basalt?), probably metamorphic?...

do they look worked? With the first stone the 'ribs' down the side look like chisel marks. The second stone is a bizzare handle shape and is the same type of stone as the first piece.

Both stones are from a river in Kilkenny, a different river to where I usually find pottery sherds etc

olly_mac

I'm no axe or stone tool expert, but the profile of the second object suggests an adze to me. Possibly porphyry?

KnapperHandy

Hi Pueblo,

Two very intriguing looking stones there!My guess is that the first one is just natural,although that rippling/ribbed effect on it is very reminiscent of the phallus-shaped stone that was found at Knowth,now in the National Museum.

The second one is very interesting;I agree with olly_mac,the profile at one end in particular is very like that of the anterior end of an axe/adze.I don't see any reason why that could not have been hafted,but it could just as easily be natural too.You know yourself,the forces of nature can sculpt the most unusual shapes!

Unfortunately,I'm not strong on my petrology so can't give you an idea of what type of material they're both comprised.

I'd love to know what the others think - let's see!

All the best.