By: Rob O’Dell
This subject is best begun by definition of the “bar amulet” and its temporal position
in relation to other polished hardstone artifacts. Bar amulets (also called “bar weights”) were
created by extensive pecking, grinding, and polishing of fine grained hardstones into various
elongated symmetrical forms. They are generally very finely crafted and are prized by
collectors of Indian artifacts, although less so than their “cousins” the perforated
bannerstones.
The reel bannerstone has now been recognized as the first polished hardstone object,
being slightly older than the earliest full groove axes. The reel, which has distribution into
North Mississippi, is commonly made of Siltstone/Claystone (also called Limonite). Reels
have been found associated with Kirk (Stemmed) points dating to more than 8,100 BP.
Despite being a simpler form, bar amulets first appear more than two thousand years later in
the Middle Archaic period.
The foremost expert on bannerstones and related stone artifacts is David L. Lutz,
author of The Archaic Bannerstone – Its Chronological History and Purpose From 6000 BC
to 1000 BC, (2,000). His insights on bar amulets (which he has called “Bar Atlatl Weights”)
are the first to be based upon comprehensive archaeological investigation. Lutz states:
At the Middle Archaic Black Earth site [Illinois], two crudely made Bar
Weights were discovered with Godar points in [a] burial… At a site in Chickasaw
County, Mississippi flat trapezoidal shaped bars made of limonite were found in a
high status Benton burial… The Bar Weight is found throughout the Late Archaic
period in a generally flat, rectangular form. Then, upon entering the Woodland
Period, it acquired a totally new appearance which features a rounded body and
flat base called the “Ellipsiodal” Type. Id at p. 363.
It is important to put Lutz’s identification of bar amulets as Bar Atlatl Weights into
context. That nomenclature should be considered in light of his belief that the purpose of
bannerstones is ceremonial in nature, as is their relation to the atlatl. Lutz also espouses a
belief that (consistent with their common mortuary associations) a “ceremonial atlatl” was
awarded to high status individuals in a symbolic ritual upon their death. Id. p 87. I find Lutz’s
opinions to be well reasoned and consistent with my own study of hardstone artifacts.
Lutz’s views explain how bar amulets, gorgets, boatstones, and similar stone objects
can be considered to be forms of bannerstones. These foundations also support inclusion of
the “Duck Bills” found in Mississippi Benton caches into the bar amulet/weight category.
(Both Duck Bills and perforated [tube and Benton Phase oval] bannerstones have been found
in Benton mortuary caches).
Photo 1
Photo 1 shows a fine bar amulet/weight made from black Siderite, an iron carbonate
stone found in Mississippi River gravels. It is from Washington County, Mississippi, and is
extremely smoothly polished, marked only by light plow scars. Its likely context is Late
Archaic; as the case with those pictured in Photos 2-4.
Photo 2
Photo 2 depicts two humped bars from Washington County made from Mississippi River gravels. The
one on the left has a slightly dished out flat base, making it related to boatstones.
Photo 3
Photo 3 shows two (Late Archaic) humped bars from Washington County, although the one at center is more of an elongated cone made from heat treated local chert. The one at left appears to be a type of granite that was also probably from the Mississippi River gravels. The humped bar on the right is high grade hematite. It was found in Scott County, Virginia in association with a true cone of the same material. The question is raised whether cones also belong in the bannerstone class.
Photo 4
Photo 4 is a heavy limonite (or claystone) bar, or possibly a bannerstone preform.
Since bannerstones were generally drilled/perforated well before completion, it is most likely
a thick bar weight.
Photo 5
Photo 5 is a large (Middle Archaic) Benton Duck Bill (with modest
restoration) that was found in three pieces on the surface in Pontotoc County. This example is
shaped more like a duck’s bill than are most. Narrow trapezoids are more common.
Photo 6
Photo 6 is of a Woodland period ellipsoidal bar or atlatl weight made from banded
greenstone slate. It is flat on the bottom. Most of these have a central longitudinal groove, but
this one has only light indentations at the edges of the flat bottom. The form shown here
could possibly have adorned an atlatl handle, at least in a cermonial role, although its
Wodland age makes that less likely. These have been called “pick banerstones”, however the
true Woodland (Intrusive Mound) pick is more round in cross-section and is certainly not a
functional atlatl weight. I found this one and number 4 many years ago in Lafayette County.
I find that I appreciate bar amulets (and boatstones, duck bills, and gorgets) all the
more in consideration of their “ceremonial” context and relationship to bannerstones as
defined and illustrated by Lutz in his 565 page masterwork. I recommend his book to anyone
who is interested in these amazing and mysterious objects.