This tool tapers perfectly to be stabalized by the left hand while providing a working surface.  The single, large, groove running from side to side could have been used to provide a place to work an intermediate material with another hand tool, or it could have been used to work other stones directly.

An assortment of pebble tools.  All of these were found in the context of flint artifacts and debitage and other stone tools. They all exhibit what appears to be a wear surface and show evidence of handling. Material ranges from hard white quartz to a talc like, chalky material.  Some of these pebble tools are worn down like a piece of chalk and you can tell they were held that way. These were found in adjoining fields along the north shore of Buckeye Lake. Pebble tools are difficult to identify in the field because they are so small. They are always interspersed with geofact pebbles and it takes time to evaluate them.  All material at sites should be considered before being discarded- down to the last pebble.





One of the rocks from the above group

I call this a "finger pestle."

 

I call these "lap anvils."  They appear to have been used to present a hard working surface that can be stabalized with a hand and a leg.  The top photo is a view of the top working surface of each, and the bottom photo shows the curved bottom of each which sits nicely on the leg.  The bottom anvil in the bottom photo is being propped up with another rock to help illustrate the curve.  These were found in the same artifact field.

These are all examples of the all purpose hand tool, perhaps among the most common and basic of all the tools used by original inhabitants. Could be used to grind, abrade or pound- maybe even as a weapon.  A kind of "stone knuckles."

These three tools have the same attribute, that when held in the hand, are balanced so that you are able to produce an almost "motorized" rapid rocking motion. They have points that protrude like wear bits, see left side of each tool in group.  Based on my observations of modern day flintknappers, I wonder if these were for that purpose.  Two were found together near a several pound block of flint in the residential Clintonville area of Columbus, on a ravine hill overlooking an Olentangy river tributary.  The third (middle one in group picture) was found in a field near Buckeye Lake Ohio, amongst flint debitage.




(Top tool from above photo) This tool has a handle that cradels the thumb and index finger.  There is a hole in the tool right where your index finger goes.  I see holes used like this to provide improved grip and control of tools.






(Middle tool from above group)  As held...



(Bottom tool from above group) This tool has grip pads for the thumb and index finger.  The wear tip has been broken/worn down.



Above pictured tool showing hole in tool for middle finger tip to rest in

I believe these to be a tool set.  They were found in immediate proximity to each other on the bank of a kettle-like sinkhole along the north shore of Buckeye Lake during a severe summer drought where they were left exposed on the surface.  Each is a fine example of a crude stone tool and this may have been an assmeblege from someone's kitchen in the past.  They very greatly in size, one taking a large strong hand to handle with ease, another seemingly small enough for a child to have used.




This is the tool from the two o'clock position in the above photo, shown as hands grip it most effectively in a slightly offset "praying" position.  This is made from a green stone material that seems to have been used rather frequently.  The next photo below shows the bottom wear surface of the tool as it is clasped in the hands.




This is the tool from the top of the group photo, shown as held in the hand

Alan Day is an Ohioan who has an excellent web site presenting his finds and theory about human and bird effigies and images in crude tools and art forms.  He calls his site (and web site) Day's Knob.

http://www.daysknob.com/