I had a lady at a college look at it. It appears to be from Chert and she thought from the end era of the dinosaures. It resembles being partially carved like an eagle head. The crown has a crystal like quartz shell in it. An old Indian gent said it probably belonged to a medicine man and that it was lost, as he would probably used it a lot in healing. Then I took it to another guy at a college and he said oh just limestone, nothing......I wonder? Whata ya think? junk or treasurer?
2007-01-19 16:24:14 · 5 answers · asked by Sage 6 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
Who did you have look at this thing? Are you saying that the artifact was carved at the end of the dinosaur age, because if that's what you were told, someone is pulling your leg. If you really think it's an artifact, there are two people you could conceivably take it to for information.
1) Anthropologist (archaeologist, if possible)
2) Geologist
Both of them will probably tell you the same I will about selling it: don't. The sale of one people's cultural heritage is no laughing matter. If it is an identifiable artifact, that you found in America, selling it might actually be illegal. Look up NAGPRA.
2007-01-19 19:43:24 · answer #1 · answered by The Ry-Guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) depending on when/where the artifact was taken from it might actually be contraband. There are certain places with laws regarding the taking and selling of artifacts. (Just a friendly warning)
2) without a picture its hard to say what it may be. there have been plenty of natural formed stones and items that look like artifacts, and there have been plenty of manufactured items made to look like they are old or antiquated.
3) don't rely on one or two sources, it's a good idea to nail down first what the item is before looking for a price. Research the item, if it is an artifact, there are probably some books you can uses to compare the general appearance to figure out its possible uses.
4) your friend may not even want to sell it, she may wish to think about donating or loaning the artifact (if it is one) to a museum or college that specializes in archeology. I personally always thought it was better to share finds with the world rather then have a collector keep it in a glass case.
Just some things to think about.
I was in archeology for years and I can tell you I love finding artifacts.
Have your friend do the research before she decides to toss it or sell it. at the very least she may have some interesting information to learn and share.
2007-01-19 23:34:49 · answer #2 · answered by Stone K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HANG ON TO IT IF YOU PERCEIVE THESE ISSUES-I WAS ALSO GIVEN OBJECTS THAT NO ONE UNDERSTOOD FROM PEOPLE I DIDN'T GET ENOUGH INFORMATION FROM, THEY JUST KNEW I WAS A COLLECTOR AND SAID HERE YOU CAN HAVE THIS OR THAT- IT IS FRUSTRATING TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS REAL OR WHAT IS SIMPLY UNIQUE IN OTHER WAYS-I WAS GIVEN A FANCY TWO FOOT IRON PIECE THAT WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS A STATES BOUNDRY MARKER AND SOLD IT, I HAD THE LARGE PENNY'S THAT WERE GIVEN TO THE INDIANS IN THE FREMONT PERIOD AS GIFTS I THINK THEY HAD WHITE MAN SHAKING HANDS WITH AN INDIAN AND THEY WERE ABOUT THREE INCHES BIG, ALL THINGS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY THE RIGHT PERSON SO HANG ON TO IT TELL U CAN HAVE IT READ BY THAT PERSON
2007-01-19 16:33:55 · answer #3 · answered by bev 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm.... hard to say, even if yu post pics or describe it. Go to an antique shop and appraise it, ask questions, show it to them. But be careful, some might try and cheat yu out of it, saying its a fake or just garbage. Get some professional advice, like a scientist or a museum curator.
2007-01-19 16:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by shadenigs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Treasurer. It should have stayed with the medicine man. sorry
2007-01-19 16:29:46 · answer #5 · answered by yrsong19 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋