While we were working down at Canandaigua Lake, a search among the shale stones and pebbles on the beach revealed this unusual item. I showed it to my anthropologist-archaeologist daughter who thought it was only a random glacial stone, washed and worn by the glaciers and waves. I think it is a Native American single grooved axe head, but what do I know!
My thoughts:
- It is definitely worn and shaped (somehow) on the leading edge sloping away from the center of the stone.
- The back side is perfectly flat with no indentations or perceived shaping.
- There is a grooved indentation that runs from top to bottom along the entire side of the stone that seems to be appropriate for hafting a wooden handle to with leather thongs or strapping.
- Native American (specifically Seneca) artifacts are found in abundance in and around Canandaigua Lake. In fact, the Native American translation of Canandaigua is “The Chosen Spot”.
Here is a great article about the Indian legends of Canandaigua Lake and hiking near Bare Hill. What do you think? Grooved axe or hoe head or just a worn glacial stone?
