There is a bunch of black consistent spots going in about a line where the nails in the ceiling would be but it's not mold. What else can this be?

Rust...

How far apart are the spots? Very well might be rust and if that's the case.. you likely have a condensation issue due to poor ventilation.

How far apart are the spots? Very well might be rust and if thats the case..you likely have a condensation issue due to poor ventilation.

The spots are spaced out in a consisent line but lilttle black dots

That's not what I asked... are they an ich apart... 16 inches apart? Since we can't see them for ourselves... we are trying to determine if they are on a spacing consistent with nails or screws.