It looks too suspiciously unoxidized to have ever been in soil. Was it found buried? If so I'd be cautious.


----- Original Message ---------------

Subject: Re: Help with artifact ID; possible association with enslaved African Americans in Missouri
   From: Bob Skiles <[log in to unmask]>
   Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:45:55 -0500
     To: [log in to unmask]

>Yes, I agree, Michelle, there is a certain "Indus-seal" feel to the 
>iconography ( see http://www.harappa.com/indus/37.html
>
>and here: http://www.harappa.com/indus/25.html )
>
>I don't recognize the script, but it's definitely post Indus/Harrapan.
>
>This is a cast copper coin; my guess is southern India. Likely a local 
>minting of a city- or princely-state.
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Michelle Touton" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 6:31 PM
>Subject: Re: Help with artifact ID; possible association with enslaved 
>African Americans in Missouri
>
>
>> It reminds me of wax seals such as those used by the Indus people (e.g., 
>> http://www.people.vcu.edu/~djbromle/cartoon04/shobha/Seals_SR2.htm; see 
>> especially the second image), but those are usually carved in the negative 
>> to leave a positive impression and your bronze piece looks like a positive 
>> carving.  Perhaps folk art, a talisman, or perhaps even a souvenir meant 
>> to imitate an ancient seal?  Have you been able to date the layer from 
>> which the object was found?
>>
>> Michelle
>>
>> Missouri Archaeology wrote:
>>> See link below for images of the small cast bronze object embossed
>>> with unique writing or symbols and a quadruped that looks like a rhino or
>>> elephant.
>>>
>>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/39860575@N03/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 12:20 PM, Missouri Archaeology <
>>> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Dear All,
>>>>
>>>> I need help identifying a small cast bronze object embossed with unique
>>>> writing or symbols and a quadruped that looks like a rhino or elephant.
>>>> This object was found during a metal detection survey of a site
>>>> in Boonville, Missouri, which was occupied almost continuously from the
>>>> 1820s through the mid-1990s. An original single-pen log cabin is at the
>>>> center of the present house (and completely visible on the interior). An
>>>> early 20th century rear addition and the original outbuildings didn't
>>>> survive. Oral information suggests that one of the razed buildings was a
>>>> slave quarters and that at least one of the long-time antebellum 
>>>> occupants
>>>> was a slave owner. The piece was found about eight inches below the 
>>>> surface
>>>> on the rear portion of the lot at the spot where the possible quarters
>>>> stood.  If you are interested or think you can help, then send me an 
>>>> email
>>>> and I will forward you some images.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>> Tim
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Timothy E. Baumann, Ph.D. , RPA
>>>>
>>>> Curator of Collections
>>>>
>>>> Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology
>>>>
>>>> Indiana University
>>>>
>>>> 423 N. Fess Avenue
>>>>
>>>> Bloomington, IN 47405-7109
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Phone: 812-855-0022
>>>>
>>>> Fax: 812-855-1864
>>>>
>>>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>>>>
>>>> Website: www.gbl.indiana.edu
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>