Stones like these are commonly found in many islands of Puerto Rico. They are speculated to either have formed from developmental reactions from the environment, or come from Taíno carvings. While mostly found as stones in modern times, these were used by ancient tribes to create carvings of weapons and sculptures. One of the many uses of these petaloid stones was creating a "manaya" (ceremonial hatchet). A manaya was a blade that would've been placed on a handle, or sometimes carved with the same stone if it was large enough. Today, remnants of the stones can be found across many locations of Puerto Rico including islands near bodies of water, sandy fields, and former Taino sites. While the petaloid stones look similar to rocks, it's the historical use that creates a sense of preservation. Petaloid stones are commonly kept by the people or museums to explain the history of the Taino tribes.
