If it is bone then I am way off. However, the Inuit do have a seal harpoon where the point is stuck on the end of a shaft and comes off when it is stuck in the seal.  In that case the hole could be for a cord to hold the point and thereby the animal.  But I don't think you are in the arctic.

Richard Wright
(Canada)

On Jun 30, 2010, at 11:38 AM, Maria ODonovan wrote:

> The artifact is bone.  Yes, the hole does go through.  Any ideas?
> 
> Maria
> 
> On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 2:18 PM, Ron Fellows <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Maria:
>> 
>> Interesting.  What is the item made of and does the hole go through?
>> 
>> Ron
>> 
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Maria ODonovan" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 10:30 AM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Artifact identification
>> 
>> 
>> Hello Everyone:
>>> 
>>> Our fieldschool has found an object in a midden deposit at a 19th century
>>> residential site.  We have a few ideas about what it is but would
>>> appreciate
>>> any help you could give.  A photo of the object is on photo bucket at:
>>> 
>>> http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx206/CommunityArchaeology/mysteryartifact.jpg
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> 
>>> Maria
>>> --
>>> Maria O'Donovan, PhD
>>> Assistant to the Director
>>> Historical Archaeology
>>> Public Archaeology Facility
>>> Binghamton University
>>> Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
>>> Phone: (607) 777-4786
>>> Fax: (607) 777-2288
>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Maria O'Donovan, PhD
> Assistant to the Director
> Historical Archaeology
> Public Archaeology Facility
> Binghamton University
> Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
> Phone: (607) 777-4786
> Fax: (607) 777-2288