Batteries?

[Blackglass]

I found these while digging at one of my friends 1870's-1900's trash pits. He says he finds them all the time, and broke one open once. Its made up of layers on the inside. They feel, and sound like when hit together, hard chalk. I have no idea what these are, but my best guess weould be some kind of battery? here's the pic.

Any ideas?

 

[privvydigger]

you'd be correct...we dig em all the time too

 

[athometoo]

WE FIND THEM HERE IN TEXAS IN T.O.C DUMPS TOO . 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT VARIETYS .

 

[Blackglass]

Thats cool! I guess they were used widely, but do know what they went to?
Thanks
Mike

 

[cyberdigger]

Those are carbon battery cores from early dry-cell batteries.. here's some info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc-carbon_battery

 

[Blackglass]

Wow, those were some big batteries! Thanks for the info all!

 

[cyberdigger]

The sick part is.. they weren't even rechargeable .. [>:]

 

[zombiekiller75]

Awesome now I know what they are too. I've dug a few of them & wondered.

 

[coldwater diver]

I find them scuba diving alot, however the outer part is usually withered away quite a bit.

 

[RickNC]

I also find them often.