Hardstone & Slate Artifacts
Birdstones
BIRDSTONES
By William S. Koup, G.I.R.S. Associate EditorAnd Richard Sisson, G.I.R.S. MemberWith Contributions by Steve Fuller, G.I.R.S. Member For over 150 years, birdstones have been objects that have inspired great passion,
Types of Birdstones – Definition of Types
1. Elongated Birdstones Elongated Birdstones comprise the vast majority of all birdstones. Perhaps 75% or more of all birdstones will fall into this category. An elongated birdstone is rather simple
Definition Of Birdstone Eyes
The majority of birdstones were made without eyes. A rough estimate would be that only about one-third of all birdstones have some form of eyes. However, those birdstones that do
Birdstone Materials
Ferruginous Slate The term ferruginous slate has been affixed to birdstones having been made from fine-grained, striated or banded material similar to banded slate but often more colorful and certainly
Fraudulent Birdstones
Pictured on this page are eight fraudulent birdstones made from porphyry and other hardstone materials. Which fake did you select on page 19 as having a shot at being authentic?
Use theories regarding the birdstone: past and present
Steven R. Dowell, Alexandria, Kentucky “Looking over the fence” form birdstone. Found in St. Clair County, Michigan. It is 4 inches long and 2 1/8 inches tall. Pictured on page
Birdstone Theories
by Conrad Kilian, The Dalles, Oregon Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.52, No.3, pg.126 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.52, No.4, pg..195 Forward: After
gorgets & pendants
World’s Finest Anchor Pendant
Earl C. Townsend, Jr. In 1978, when I was much younger, I got word that a silver trophy would be awarded at Chillicothe, Ohio, to the collector who brought the
Pendants and Gorgets
Bill Koup, Albuquerque, New Mexico Personal adornment has always been an important pursuit of mankind. The wearing of specialized adornments for the purpose of appearing more attractive or to signify
Gorgets and Pendants, Stone Ornaments
James Tharpe, Plainfield, Indiana Gorgets at first glance take on a similar appearance in shape to that of the undrilled bar type bannerstone. This form of artifact can vary greatly
axes
Two Keokuk Axes from Illinois
by Mike Wayland, San Jose, Illinois Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.68 Hunting has always been good in our area. Many years ago my father-in-law,
A Cache of Two Iowa Slant (Wide, Square) Groove Axes
by David A. Easterla, Ph.D., Maryville, Missouri Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.71 During
Do Not Judge the Axe Maker Until You Know the Rock Type
by David A. Easterla, Ph.D., Maryville, Missouri Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.82 Recently the
A South Carolina Southern Raised Ridge Axe
by Billy Abee, Union, South Carolina Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.100 This report
The Southeastern Monolithic Axe
The Southeastern Monolithic Axe Tim Brawner, Dothan, Alabama The apex of the Woodland Period sparked the development of the great chiefdoms of the Mississippian. During this period the Southeastern Ceremonial
celts
A Large Hopewell Copper Celt
by Billy Ford, Spencerville, Ohio Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.3, pg.134 More than eighty
A TAPERED CELT FROM MICHIGAN
Douglas A. Whitcomb, Wolverine, Michigan It was 1952, and I was in second grade when I saw my first Indian artifact. We were studying the local Indians and a
The Talladega Cache of Celts
by Lamar Wilson Dadeville, Alabama The celts shown here (Fig. 1) are a cache found by Gordon Faulkner in February of 1984 while on a fishing trip with his father
other stones and artifacts
Michigan Archaic Stemmed Lanceolates
by Todd Walterspaugh, Galesburg, Michigan Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.94 This group of
What is it?
by Bob Reeves, Knoxville, Tennessee Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200 Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.97 Back in October
An Owl Effigy Medallion (Tablet) From Northwest Missouri
by David A. Easterla, Ph.D., Maryville, Missouri Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.56, No.4, pg.200Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.3, pg.128 Above: Front
Gamestones: A Mississippian Enigma
by Col. John F. BernerCentral States Archaeological Journal, Vol. 55, No.2, pg.72 The Mississippian culture which began around 900 AD and terminated in the late 1400’s left an indelible mark
Nutting Stones
by Jim Maus, Advance, North Carolina Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.55, No.2, pg.62 Nuts! Nuts! Nuts! We like them because they are crunchy and they taste
Circle Roller Discoidals
Bruce Butts, Winterville, Georgia An assortment of circle roller discoidals found in Georgia and Alabama. Top left: green granite discoidal found in Baldwin County, Georgia. Front left: polished golden quartz
Pestles & Hammerstones
John Duncan, French Lick, Indiana These were everyday tools of the natives. The pestles were used for grinding and mashing things such as grain for flour. The hammerstone was used
What’s in a Spool?
by D. R. Gehlbach, Columbus, Ohio Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.52, No.4, pg.202 On occasion, certain artifacts resist our attempts at interpretation. Such is the case
The Prehistoric Birdman Tablets of Illinois
By Elizabeth Agnes Kassly (Pete Bostrom photos; Elizabeth Kassly drawings) Fantasy Drawing of Kassly Birdman Tablet Of the many events that happen in one’s life, small stories begin. It is
Waco Sinkers
by Dr. Charles L. Boyd, College Station, Texas Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.53, No.2, pg.71 A group of unique artifacts were found in central Texas by
The Waco Sinker: A Texas Enigma
Walter Williams, Eastland, Texas I have often noticed as guests come into my house and observe a few artifacts that are displayed, how they usually comment on my “nice collection”
spuds & spats
A Rat Tail Spud, My Rarest Artifact
by Jim Maus, Adva nce, North Carolina Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.55, No.3, pg.140 During the time that we call the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex or Mississippian
LATE WOODLAND, MISSISSIPPIAN & HISTORIC RITUAL STONE AXES KNOWN AS SPUDS
BY PETER A. BOSTROM Most writers, collectors, and archaeologists seem to be using the word spud more often now; however, when you look at articles written nearly a hundred years
Long-Stemmed Spuds
Toney Aid, West Plains, Missouri Take an ungrooved celt, polish it, stretch it (up to two feet long), flare the bit slightly and what have you got? A long-stemmed spud!
discoidals
Ancient Mississippian Pastimes
by E. J. Neiburger, Waukegan, Illinois Originally Published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.4, pg.188 George Catlin painting of Mandan Indians playing Chunke in 1832, showing the game
Mississippi Discoidals: Ancient Sports Collectibles?
By Anthony A. Stein, Parkville, Missouri One of the most popular Mississippian artifacts today is the discoidal. What is a discoidal? The easiest answer is that a discoidal is a