Comments on: What is This Mysterious Stone Age Object? http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:13:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Pia M. http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1574147 Pia M. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:47:22 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1574147 I honestly don't think ivory would be hard enough to withstand constant grinding. Most cultures would rather use stone for milling. The drop spindle whorl theory gets the most points. Religious artifact would be next. Although, if you do put a cord pull through the hole, it might be the decorative cover of some kind of urn that possible stored grain or oil. The size mentioned makes sense. I honestly don't think ivory would be hard enough to withstand constant grinding. Most cultures would rather use stone for milling.

The drop spindle whorl theory gets the most points. Religious artifact would be next.

Although, if you do put a cord pull through the hole, it might be the decorative cover of some kind of urn that possible stored grain or oil. The size mentioned makes sense.

]]> By: Starcher http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1250100 Starcher Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:40:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1250100 It looks like a handle to a door. The hole is for the screw. I have a few of those in my apartment. It looks like a handle to a door. The hole is for the screw. I have a few of those in my apartment.

]]> By: rubken http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1246135 rubken Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:48:36 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1246135 I favour the pedestal idea. The hole being for a fixing of some kind to support whatever went on top. I favour the pedestal idea. The hole being for a fixing of some kind to support whatever went on top.

]]> By: PancakeMan http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1245558 PancakeMan Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:37:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1245558 Weird, when I first tried to comment the other day the comments were down. Anywho, I vote for millstone as well. They would use this in conjunction with another stone, possibly with grooves in it, and the hole is for a stick to use as a receptacle for whatever weights were needed. Still doesn't explain all the decorating, but whatever. Weird, when I first tried to comment the other day the comments were down.

Anywho, I vote for millstone as well. They would use this in conjunction with another stone, possibly with grooves in it, and the hole is for a stick to use as a receptacle for whatever weights were needed.

Still doesn't explain all the decorating, but whatever.

]]> By: Melvin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1241278 Melvin Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:29:53 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1241278 I'm always amazed by the assumption that prehistoric people didn't decorate their tools. It's seems universal that craft and tradesmen decorate and personalize their tools whether we're talking about Studley's tool box or those Japanese/Pakistani decorated trucks. I'm always amazed by the assumption that prehistoric people didn't decorate their tools. It's seems universal that craft and tradesmen decorate and personalize their tools whether we're talking about Studley's tool box or those Japanese/Pakistani decorated trucks.

]]> By: Dustin http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1240799 Dustin Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:13:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1240799 I like the ideas of many of you out there, but you have to keep the material in mind. On Mohs scale ivory has a hardness of 2.5. That's about the same as fingernails, amber, and silver. Chert/flint is much more common and it has a hardness of ~7. Given the size my best guess is that it is the base of some art/religious piece. Of course that's always the line used when archaeologists don't know what something is. I like the ideas of many of you out there, but you have to keep the material in mind. On Mohs scale ivory has a hardness of 2.5. That's about the same as fingernails, amber, and silver. Chert/flint is much more common and it has a hardness of ~7.

Given the size my best guess is that it is the base of some art/religious piece. Of course that's always the line used when archaeologists don't know what something is.

]]> By: Scooter http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1238558 Scooter Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:28:00 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1238558 If the hole in the middle were bigger i'd say it's a Mace head. but drop spindle makes scene to me. If the hole in the middle were bigger i'd say it's a Mace head. but drop spindle makes scene to me.

]]> By: Halil http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1238328 Halil Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:24:31 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1238328 Some kind of a pedestal. Some kind of a pedestal.

]]> By: PK http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1238090 PK Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:21:46 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1238090 it's a hat for a unicorn! where's robocop at... it's a hat for a unicorn! where's robocop at...

]]> By: monoclemonkey http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1237913 monoclemonkey Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:29:51 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1237913 drawer pull, whorl ...don't be silly. It is obviously the volume knob from an early Sony receiver. drawer pull, whorl ...don't be silly. It is obviously the volume knob from an early Sony receiver.

]]> By: Padraig http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1237461 Padraig Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:10:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1237461 @Lady C: > The article doesn’t give any scale for >the object, making it difficult to determine > what it might have been. The article mentions the larger of the objects to be 17 cm (6.7") in diameter. @Lady C:

> The article doesn’t give any scale for
>the object, making it difficult to determine
> what it might have been.

The article mentions the larger of the objects to be 17 cm (6.7") in diameter.

]]> By: K!P http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1237257 K!P Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:14:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1237257 candel holder :P candel holder :P

]]> By: Alana http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236922 Alana Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:12:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236922 Drop spindle, or a really big button. Drop spindle, or a really big button.

]]> By: Fred Head http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236778 Fred Head Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:57:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236778 Puny hu-mans. You're knob-centric views expose your ignorance. To those of us you call "aliens", this device is self-explanatory. The object in the photo is one piece of a two part mechanism. The item above is obviously a "Perspirus Adjustment Knob". It is used to adjust the timing mechanism on the famous "Blamburg Machine". This machine is used to dynamically maintain the differentiation fields that separate all 256 dimensions of existence. Too bad they only found this adjustment knob. If they had discovered the accompanying "Blamburg Machine", it would have altered human history forever. Oh well. Live long, and phosphor - puny hu-mans. Puny hu-mans. You're knob-centric views expose your ignorance. To those of us you call "aliens", this device is self-explanatory. The object in the photo is one piece of a two part mechanism. The item above is obviously a "Perspirus Adjustment Knob". It is used to adjust the timing mechanism on the famous "Blamburg Machine". This machine is used to dynamically maintain the differentiation fields that separate all 256 dimensions of existence. Too bad they only found this adjustment knob. If they had discovered the accompanying "Blamburg Machine", it would have altered human history forever. Oh well. Live long, and phosphor - puny hu-mans.

]]> By: The Mutt http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236757 The Mutt Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:37:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236757 What's a drop spindle whorl? It looks like a drawer pull or a door knob. Did they have drawers and doors back then? What's a drop spindle whorl?

It looks like a drawer pull or a door knob. Did they have drawers and doors back then?

]]> By: Verity http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236721 Verity Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:12:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236721 It's a nipple decoration. It's a nipple decoration.

]]> By: Miss K http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236709 Miss K Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:08:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236709 Looks like something used for spinning or weaving textiles Looks like something used for spinning or weaving textiles

]]> By: George http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236639 George Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:35:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236639 From the shape, I think it's designed for expanding and opening the chakras. From the shape, I think it's designed for expanding and opening the chakras.

]]> By: Linda http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236529 Linda Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:02:52 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236529 Most likely a drop spindle whorl. Even today, most whorls are highly decorated, as described. It's just missing the stick. The article doesn't note the size, though. Most likely a drop spindle whorl. Even today, most whorls are highly decorated, as described. It's just missing the stick. The article doesn't note the size, though.

]]> By: liphttam1 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236241 liphttam1 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:41:52 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236241 I with Ali S. all the way. I was going with stick through it. But that realy wont explain the decerations, right? I with Ali S. all the way. I was going with stick through it. But that realy wont explain the decerations, right?

]]> By: Tom http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1236029 Tom Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:43:17 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1236029 It looks like a hand powered millstone to me. You would push a stick through the hole, and put some grain in a groove, and roll it over it. Kind of obvious, actually. It looks like a hand powered millstone to me. You would push a stick through the hole, and put some grain in a groove, and roll it over it.

Kind of obvious, actually.

]]> By: Ali S. http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235807 Ali S. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:40:23 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235807 I'm thinking if you put a stick through it and grains in the bottom you could easily use this like a grain crushing device to make some sort of bread. Stick this on top of a slightly bowled shape rock for a base and drop grain into it. Many primitive societies that still exist around the World have similar looking devices to crush grain, nuts, or whatever other food source to make a flat bread like food. I'm thinking if you put a stick through it and grains in the bottom you could easily use this like a grain crushing device to make some sort of bread. Stick this on top of a slightly bowled shape rock for a base and drop grain into it. Many primitive societies that still exist around the World have similar looking devices to crush grain, nuts, or whatever other food source to make a flat bread like food.

]]> By: DOJ http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235787 DOJ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:36:10 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235787 It's giant money, ala Yap It's giant money, ala Yap

]]> By: SuperJdynamite http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235782 SuperJdynamite Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:34:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235782 "'The function of this decorated object remains a puzzle,' they say." Maybe it's a (wait for it) decorative object? "'The function of this decorated object remains a puzzle,' they say."

Maybe it's a (wait for it) decorative object?

]]> By: Lady C http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235630 Lady C Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:57:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235630 Because no one's said it yet, "It's an instrument of torture." The article doesn't give any scale for the object, making it difficult to determine what it might have been. Because no one's said it yet, "It's an instrument of torture."

The article doesn't give any scale for the object, making it difficult to determine what it might have been.

]]> By: Brad Smith http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235609 Brad Smith Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:50:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235609 It is a button! Try it on for size lol. It is a button! Try it on for size lol.

]]> By: JivesTheButler http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235572 JivesTheButler Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:41:36 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235572 I would mount a stick in the hole and use it to grind the fibers out of tough plants to make threads. But maybe I am being impractical. I would mount a stick in the hole and use it to grind the fibers out of tough plants to make threads.

But maybe I am being impractical.

]]> By: lnothin7 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235494 lnothin7 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:22:26 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235494 incense holder incense holder

]]> By: timageous http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235492 timageous Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:19:56 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235492 I'm with spindle whorl. I have seen quite a few of these from buried contexts in mexico and the US southwest and they generally have similar morphology. Why wouldn't they be weaving fabric? They were certainly sewing leather. I'm with spindle whorl. I have seen quite a few of these from buried contexts in mexico and the US southwest and they generally have similar morphology. Why wouldn't they be weaving fabric? They were certainly sewing leather.

]]> By: marajanecreations http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/comment-page-1/#comment-1235410 marajanecreations Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:58:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/02/what-is-this-mysterious-stone-age-object/#comment-1235410 I'm going to agree that it's a drop spindle whorl. I'm going to agree that it's a drop spindle whorl.

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