Is this an old tool or just nature??

Hi, I found this in Africa some years back in a remote area and it caught my eye immediately. I’m wondering if it could be a tool or just natural stone. Was unlike anything around it (mostly sand). Has lines across both sides that connect and look like they could have been from being tied but I’m assuming just nature??! The edges are smooth so that throws me a bit too. That said I know nothing. It measures 6cm long and 4cm at widest. Thanks for your help.

 

It looks really interesting and I have no clue.
Could it be a fossilised shell? Can we have a sharp close up of the edges and the marks on it?

 

here are a few close-ups. A couple of the lines look like cuts but again maybe natural

 

Interesting. What country and what region? Please verify dimensions and indicate thickness. Also, indicate the type of area, eg. grassland, rocky, treed. barren, etc.

 

It looks worked to me. I'm no expert, but I believe it is a tool. Found several like it on a google search.

 

It looks to me like it has been worked.

 

Is it magnetic? There are some meteorites with odd surfaces but yours looks more like a fossil to me.
https://www.meteorite-recon.com/portfolio_page/northwest-africa-5787

 

HAHAHA!!! Until @Houseful chimed in, I was about to say I thought it had been worked on....now I'm totally beflummoxed!!! I did try to sharpen, but sometimes that adds artifacts (tiny white specs) a bit..... I think it's been worked on as well, but at those measurements (6cm long and 4cm at widest- from OP), a very small tool???​

​

 

I would expect a tool to be either smooth (ground), or flaked, not dimpled all over like that. But it is possible it was picked up as an interesting natural stone and the grooves put in for some decorative purpose.

 

*Similar* Tektite / Saffordite or even obsidian. For reference on identifying Tektite: https://tektites.info/found-a-tektite

 

There is a "Wrinkle stone" which comes from China.

 

Could it be a fossilized egg?

 

Thanks, it was southern Namibia desert so very dry, sandy area. It’s 6cm long, 4cm at widest and depth goes from 0.5cm to just under 2cm.

 

It’s not magnetic as far as I can tell

 

The surface does look like the first top left photo. The reference to grooves in tektites in the link looks familiar - mine is both sides and connects through. Maybe a tektite??

 

My answer to your question is nature. The bands appear to be attracted iron and the groove resulted from iron decay and weathering. Tektite???
Have you tried the light test?

 

I think the only thing that I might question is that, @NTC Collector, the markings on your stone don't seem quite as random as the "wrinkle stones" from China!! Here are a couple posted on ebay:

​

 

It’s certainly not Chinese, but there’s some resemblance on the surface pattern. There’s no grooves on those examples though. Are wrinkle stones tektites?

 

Thanks @Robert Ransom yes the middle groove looks more natural wear - the others throw me because they look so sharp edged. I note tektites on the link had deep grooves although none across and both sides like mine. Short of damaging it I can’t get a slither to do the light test unless there’s another way?

 

Here's a thought. If it looks like a tektite to you, label it so and let it be your answer. I don't know where you live, however, you could contact the geological department of the nearest university and ask for an opinion. You could submit the item for professional analysis, but the cost may not be justified. Good luck.