North American, probably southeastern United States, Mississippian, Archaic Period, ca. 5000 to 1000 BCE. A heavy, rich brown chert "butterfly" bannerstone, a weight for an atlatl. The stone includes fascinating pale green chert inclusions on each "wing". The piece was carved and sanded to have symmetrical half-circles around a cylindrical socket. Size: 3.95" W x 2.45" H (10 cm x 6.2 cm); 3.3" H (8.4 cm) on included custom stand.
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, the elaborate designs, and some examples that are too large to have ever been useful, suggest that they also had ritualistic or symbolic power. This one has a zoomorphic, possibly avian form that may have served as a talisman to protect the hunter during the dangerous business of the hunt.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Roland Engstrom collection, Massachusetts, USA
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#143743
Condition
Small chips and nicks from surface commensurate with age, with rich patina.