North American, probably southeastern United States, Mississippian, Archaic Period, ca. 5000 to 1000 BCE. A dark brown, smooth shale bannerstone, of elongated, pipe-like form, with a small, round projection from the top and a pair of drilled perforations, each conical in shape, wider on the base than on the top, surrounding the projection. Why was this elegant, ancient object made? We know that bannerstone use related to atlatls, but their exact purpose remains 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. Size: 5.75" W x 0.75" H (14.6 cm x 1.9 cm)
An "Artifact Analysis Report" written by Calvin Howard (February 8, 2012) and confirming this bannerstone's authenticity accompanies this piece.
Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; ex-old private New England, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s
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#144851
Condition
Small losses from edges, especially on the narrower end.