Can you identify this artifact?
 
 
 
 
This object was part of an artifact collection bequeathed to Washtenaw Community College by a collector. 
Everything in his collection was reported to be from southern Michigan and northern Ohio, but no more details 
than that. The collection includes approximately 70 artifacts ranging from Paleo to Woodland, and includes 
axes and celts. The artifact is a flattened discoidal shape and appears to be made of wood, with "hash marks" on 
each side. The object also has a rather deep groove around the middle. As I recall the number of "hash marks" 
varies on the sides from 7 to 9. It measures approximately 3 cm in length by 2.5 cm width. It looks mostly like a Yo-Yo.
 If anyone can identify it, WCC would be most grateful...

Submitted by Ann Zinn, Huron Valley Chapter

Know what this artifact could be? Please send ideas to Kerry at tk_bennett@yahoo.com. The best submissions will be posted.

A possible identification for this object is a net float for use in fishing. But Patrick Curren writes "The mystery artifact on the MAS website appears to be an ear plug. Jewelry used to stretch the earlobe. A net float would be unlikely considering its size." Great idea Patrick! The size does make more sense as an ear plug.

Another possibility is from Nancy Blake Gustafson who offers another suggestion:  Wouldn't an earplug be more round and carefully shaped? It doesn't 

look much like the earplugs I have seen in Mexico, for instance. I wonder about the "bull roarer" use. An object on the end of a

longish fiber that was twirled about the head for the noise it created. Perhaps the notched and irregular shape contributed to the vibration

produced?

Thanks everyone for their input. (By the way the most popular response was that this was a yo-yo!)