The stone age in North America, vol. 1 of 2Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
History
The stone age in North America, vol. 1 of 2
Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
Indians of North America -- Antiquities; Stone age -- North America
“Some specimens have the handle perforated, as if it were intended to
attach them to the person by means of a thong passed through the hole.
It is quite probable that some of these, and of the finer unperforated
forms as well, are, as has already been suggested, deserving of being
classed with the stone ornaments known as gorgets. Their generally small
size, soft material, shape, finish, and the condition of their edges,
would appear to make such a separation desirable and proper.
“In the making of others, greenstone and other hard rocks have been
employed. Many of these are roughly made and have quite sharp cutting
edges. There is a tendency on the part of some of these toward a scraper
form, and it is quite likely that they were utilized for such or a
similar domestic purpose.
“There appears to be but little reason for associating any of these
implements with the large paddle-form (Class A), as some writers have
done. Some examples might be included with the former class (B) as
medium types.
“Implements of this class are said to be of fairly common occurrence in
the South and specimens are to be seen in various public and private
collections, and have been described by various authors from Kentucky,
Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida. The writer has sketches of several specimens which were found
in Ohio.
“Mr. W. H. Ellsworth formerly possessed two specimens of this class, one
made of slate and the other of red sandstone, which were found near
Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut.”
Mr. Clarence B. Moore, who has conducted extensive explorations in
Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc., is an authority on
archæology in the South. After Mr. Brown’s paper appeared, Mr. Moore
wrote an article for the _American Anthropologist_ (July-September,
1903, p. 498), in which is contained much additional and valuable
information. I quote certain portions of it:—
[Illustration:
FIG. 376. (S. 1–3.) Seven spud-shaped objects of slate and greenstone.
These range from 3 1–8 to 17 1–4 inches. All are from sites along
the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers in southwestern Kentucky.
Collection of Bennett H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky.
]
“As I have found, in place, in Florida, in Georgia, and in Alabama, a
considerable number of what have been called ‘hoe-shaped implements’
(Mr. Brown’s ‘Class C,’ among spuds, though he differentiates their uses
from those of the other two classes), I have thought a description of
these ‘implements’ found by me might be of interest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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