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From Jean M

28th November 2012

I found in a river bed near the cave of Mas d'Azil (Southern France) a strange stone which is obviously a tool made of marble.

I have not the slightest idea of what it is made for.

Nobody here has been able to solve the enigma!

70 mm in length , 20 mm at  the highest point of the object

 

 






 

From Tonio

I think it is part of an atlatl. I am more familiar with the ones from the Americas but I know they were used in France as far back as 20,000 B.C.

 

From Angie Really interesting find! I can't find parallels. It seems it would have been attached to something like an atlatl. It doesn't have the same characteristics as an atlatl weight or projectile point though.

I thought maybe it could also be some sort of tool/other implement sharpener but it has different characteristics then that as well.

 

From Spyros

I agree, it looks like an "atlatl spur". It would have been lashed on to the atlatl and the base of the dart would rest against the forward edge of this piece. JMHO

 



From Patrick

 

Hi,

The material is granite, pink feldspar ( crystallized from magma ). This material was most likely too hard to be worked back then.

It must have been made and used during the last centuries.

It looks like some sort of lever (the other - non displayed - side could offer some more insight into this).

Ciao,

 

 

Good afternoon to all

Just the question of an ignorant

As far as I understand, an atlatl was used to throw a dart with more force.

An atlatl made with marble will probably break up when doing so (soft stone...)

Then...

With best wishes

 

From Patrick

 

Hi Lluis,

The material isn't marble, it is granite.

For it to be used as an atlatl it seems to be too short (70 mm). When you look at the images of atlatls, they are longer to offer the looked for leverage.

Ciao,

 

From Lluis

Ciao

If too short also not useful as atlatl...

Then, I suppose that I would agree with your interpretation.

For granite or marble: a drop of vinegar on the piece. If bubbles, could be marble. If no one, by sure not marble.

Anyway, it looks to my eyes not as a granite, not as marble (I collect minerals...)

And for what I see, I would break if to be used as an atlatl (breaks inside the material; not the best when it should resist high forces)

With best wishes

 

From John

If used for an Atlatl hook, it doesn't have to be long. It would be lashed to the end of the Atlatl shaft. Your piece could be the nubbin lashed to the end of the shaft.

 

 

From Patrick

 

Hi Lluis,

The material isn't marble, it is granite.

For it to be used as an atlatl it seems to be too short (70 mm). When you look at the images of atlatls, they are longer to offer the looked for leverage.

Ciao,

 

 

From Edgar

 

Et al,

Normally atlatls just use a notch curved into the wood itself rather than a stone insert . In my opinion this stone would be heavy enough to slow the throw down and thus reduce the speed and force of the throw... So I discount it as being part of an atlatl.

 

 

 

Thanks to all on the yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ancientartifacts/

 

I must say that I agree with Edgar.

Not a banner stone. No  need to have  that particular  shape  for a  banner stone weight.

Probably  too heavy for a hook stone and the notch not really adequate to hooking the dart properly. I think Patrick is probably closest: some sort of lever peg.

 

 

 

More unsual things>>>>