Three turtle head figures from three archaeological sites

Coschocton County, Ohio, find by Dave Boucher, identified by Dave as a snapping turtle head figure

Dave Boucher is a member of the Flint Ridge Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Ohio and brought this piece to our meeting the month after I gave a presentation to the group on the subject of portable rock art. Dave notes the eye hole is in the anatomically correct position, arguing for artificiality in this object. It was found at a late Paleolithic site according to Dave.

Stacy Dodd and Rod Weber find, Old Route 66 Zoo site, site #23JP1222, Missouri inventory OR66Z, is interpreted as a snapping turtle head by Ken Johnston of portablerockart.com. Note how this sculpture stands upright on a flat base in correct viewing orientation.

Mr. Dodd interprets a sitting bird figure, I think with tail at far left and head at upper right looking down, as if into "nest" formed by tip of snapping turtle's lower jaw. The general zoomorphic nature of many stone sculptures and the creativity of prehistoric artists often allows presentation of several figures depending on how one focuses visual attention on particular constructive visual elements. It is as if the art pieces are also optical illusions. To see other stone sculptures from this Missouri site (including a mouse/fish!!) enter ZOO into this blog's search box in the right side column.

Ken Johnston find, Licking County, Ohio, interpreted as a flaked snapping turtle head. (click photos to expand). Part of the stone rind, or cortex, is visible where human flaking action did not remove it. This shows the newer chipped areas of stone and the older parts of the original stone surface.

Licking County, Ohio, figure with scale

Looking into the snapping turtle figure's mouth: the bifacial nature of the flaking on this piece is evidenced in this perspective

-kbj

"Old Route 66 zoo" site announced in Missouri, dozens of suspected worked flint sculptures, site available for qualified archaeologists

Owl sculpture identified from the "Old Route 66 zoo."  The potentially very old site is available for archaeological investigation.

Stacy Dodd of suburban Memphis, Tennessee, reports the find of a large number of worked stones with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic qualities.  The find location is in South West Missouri near the old Route 66 and has been dubbed the "Old Route 66 zoo site."  The site is producing archaeologist-verified tools along with possible sculptures which are compatible in morphology with other select examples of portable rock art from the United States as well as North West Europe.  

The 5 acre area is privately owned and the landowner is eager to discuss the potential for scientific examination of the site with qualified archaeological investigators.  Artifacts have been surface collected and a test pit indicates many more remain.  Approximately 100 crude flint pieces having evidence of human agency as well as imagery have been identified so far.  Archaeologists who are interested in what could be a very old archaeological site in the middle of North America may contact Mr. Dodd at: stacy_dodd2007@yahoo.com for further information.

The owl above is a very nice example of an animal which makes a recurring appearance in paleoart.  Look for additional artifact photos from this exciting new Missouri site on this blog.

-kbj
 OR66Z, 23JP1222