Is this an artifact?

[joemyakka]

Several years ago, I found this large button-like object on a bluff about 100 yards from the beach on the Gulf Coast of Venice, Florida. Does anyone know what it is?

[WVaTom]

Pappy probably can tell ya more about it. is it metal?

[joemyakka]

The "button" is not metallic.

[Gregory]

Bone maybe??

[joemyakka]

It appears to be made of a very hard ceramic material.
On the bottom side, it appears to have been soft at one
time as can be seen by the impression of something pressed
into it. It is extremely hard. I tried using a pocket knife blade
to cut a groove in the raised circular furrow around the edge of
the bottom. I couldn't even scratch it. Very similar to porcelin
in hardness.

[lbesser]

I've been reading about indian artifacts and I saw some earspools that looked similar to this. They were decorative pieces worn in the ear lobe. Has anyone else heard of these? I've seen them with one hole.

[rustycoinUT]

lbesser, I have seen those earspools also, they look simalir but i have never seen one with more than one hole.

My guess would be a bone or shell button and very old. I do not think this is an indian artifact, but i could be wrong.


HH
rustycoinUT

[PAPPY]

lbesser, I have NO IDEA as to what your item may be. It certainly looks to me to be a button of some sort but from what period I can't say. It would certainly behoove you to take it to a museum and let someone have a look at it. VERY INTERESTING FIND INDEED...PAPPY