The Mystery Rock

It's a rock. An infeasibly long, straight rock, 63cm end-to-end with an oval cross-section. Almost like a fossilised baguette. It is composed of a dark, heavy stone which has a lighter, pock-marked weathered appearance on the surface, but is smooth and dark at points of wear. It was found in the North African Desert, near the foot of a large escarpment. Both ends of the rock have been polished smooth - as if through human use. One end is rounded, and looks as if it has been used for grinding.

The other end has a distinct taper to a point - as if it has been purposefully shaped for use as a tool. A small chip of stone is missing from the tip. Near to this sharp end is what seems like a natural hollow on one side of the short axis, spoiling an otherwise near-perfect oval cross-section. If I use my imagination, I can see signs of wear around this hollow (made by hands?). Even more intriguing is a smoothed indentation two-thirds of the way towards the rounded end of the rock. With some more imagination, and a little experimentation, I can picture this as a resting place for finger pads of someone grasping the rock and using it as a tool.

I reckon that this is some kind of pestle. I can easily imagine the rounded end being used for grinding. But what about the sharpened end? Was it kept sharp for a specific purpose? Or is the sharp tip a consequence of the use to which it was put? And - most intriguing of all - who would have used it, and how old is it? Is this staggering rock some kind of prehistoric tool? ... or am I deluding myself?! Even if it is not - what kind of rock is it, and how did it get into this shape?

There are some more photographs in the Mystery Rock Gallery.

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