North American, Midwestern to Southern United States, Archaic Period, ca. 5000 to 1000 BCE. A bannerstone hand-carved from a gray banded slate. The stone is ovoid and rounded on one side, and the other face has a shallow flute down the center. The thick center is laterally drilled through to both ends. Bannerstones of various sizes with fluted faces and even bowtie or butterfly shapes, have been found across the eastern part of North America, but their use is not fully understood. They may have served as tools to aid in hunting and/or may have served a symbolic function. Size: 2.65" L x 1.75" W (6.7 cm x 4.4 cm)
Bannerstones remain an archaeological mystery. For many years, inspired by research done by a former physicist, archaeologists believed that bannerstones were used as weights to give atlatls greater power and control. Later experimental archaeology proved that this was not true - but did open up the possibility that the bannerstone helped with fatigue when holding an atlatl still, while stalking skittish prey like deer. However, their elaborate designs, and some examples that are too large to have ever been useful, suggest that they also had a ritualistic purpose.
Provenance: private Kansas City, Missouri, USA collection; ex-John Townsend collection, formed in the 1970s and earlier
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#161911
Condition
Surface abrasions, nicks, and chips around the perforation opening. Old inventory number written on surface.