"What Is It???" Wednesday: Personal Artifact

In keeping with the Civil War theme, the artifact above is from the burial of a Civil War veteran.  It was found wrapped in wool fabric assumed to be a coat, first appearing to be an iron concretion.  Minimal cleaning and conservation revealed it to not be one artifact but several made out of different materials.  The artifact is personal to me as an unique find in my former life as a staff archaeologist in Kentucky.  It is also a very personal artifact to the officer, as it would have been carried with him most places he went.  As far as I know, this is the only example of this object to be found archaeologically. 

WHAT IS IT???

First to answer correctly gets 5 cannon shaped Civil War bookmarks mailed to the address of their choice (if you already have one, consider your local library or school!).

Note: remains and artifact were reburied with much respect paid to the veteran.  More information on this non-Florida Civil War site to follow next week.

Last WIIW answer:  Debby, you've done it again!  I knew it was a wooden chain from the Maple Leaf, but I didn't know much of the information she provided in her answer:

The pic is a short-timers clock. Looks like it is from the Maple Leaf. Each piece which is carved signifies the days not in battle, if i remember correctly. It is a beautiful piece. Was able to study it and catalogued it myself.

Thanks for playing and for contributing to my information about that unique find!  For more information on the Maple Leaf read Amber's blog from last week or join us Thursday, March 22nd out at Mandarin Museum for our encore event.  Click the link to view Remember the Maple Leaf event listing on our website.

Text: Sarah Miller, staff Florida Public Archaeology Network
Image: Dave McBride, former staff for Kentucky Archaeological Survey