Stone Ornaments Used by Indians in the United States and Canada: Being a Description of Certain Charm Stones, Gorgets, Tubes, Bird Stones, and Problematical Forms

Summary

J. Whittaker: [Title tells it: bannerstones etc viewed as ornaments and “problematical,” but with a few more interesting notes. All outdated, but nice illustrations.]

C.H.Forbes produced Latin names like ‘geniculate’ for classif system. Manuf by peck and grind, drilling. Bar, bird, and boat forms = amulets. Birdstones mostly OH,NY, IN, MI, WI, Canada. Prob pre-mound. Winged objects [bannerstones] important because often repaired, well made, with dead. Unfinished ‘bipennate’ reused as hafted hammer by historic Inds. Bottle and tube forms = shamans’ tubes.

A. C. Parker chapter: Bannerstone breaks p 193: some struck, others broken by “internal pressure of shaft” Experiments with bs on end of light spear as fletchings – added 25% to distance thrown [I don’t believe it], breakage by jamming shaft in when struck tree. Purposes of bs p 194: “portions of more complex implements” works in expers as flywheel on drill or spindle, symbolic connections to fire drill and war club.

Moore bannerstone examples from Indian Knoll color plates. [Moore quoted at length on netting needle and spacer theory, arguments against atlatl theory.] But why make utilitarian objects so elaborate? Must be ceremonial.

Quotes G.B. Gordon (1916) – bannerstone as whale and axe symbol. G. H. Pepper communication p 379: Moore’s bannerstone and hooks probably joined by shaft, found near head of burials, used as hair ornament (sketch).

Unique and fraudulent forms shown, but some, e.g. Powell and Mason expected copper, fine pipes, etc from mounds to be work of Euros. Now know better, so fine work and unusual forms not necessarily frauds.

Author’s favorite theory: Bipennate or winged forms may be thunderbird effigy parts (sketch) more likely than whale.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 10198

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.