Implements of Antler.
For many kinds of implements antler is particularly valuable on account of its hardness. For this reason a number of implements of this character have been found in the shellmound; they are, however, not so numerous as those of bone. They are usually made of deer or elk antler.
1. Chisel-like Implements.
Of these there are two principal types.
a. Actual Chisels.
About half of the objects of antler are to be considered as complete implements. These are shown in [pl. 8], figs. 2a and 2b, 1-8892, stratum VIII; figs. 3a and 3b, 1-8821, from stratum VIIa, represent the two subspecies of the same, viz., broad and narrow chisels. The main difference between the two is simply one of size and proportion.
The broad chisels are represented by about ten objects, which belong to the middle and lower strata of the mound only, down to the Xth stratum. Whether this is accidental or caused by other reasons remains undecided. These objects are from four and one-half to five and one-half inches long, to one and three-fourths inches broad, and even as thick as one and one-quarter inches. Oval in cross section, they slightly diminish toward the lower end. Frequently they pass one to two inches above the lower end into the flat, knife-like, one-sided slope, ending in a semi-circular edge about one inch broad. The sloping surface as well as the polished sides of the implement frequently have impressions due to actual use upon hard objects. In a similar manner, the straight surface is broken by the use of a hammer which was struck upon it.
The narrow chisels are represented only by one complete specimen ([pl. 8, fig. 3]) and two fragments of the knife-edge. The latter were found between strata VIIa and IX. The complete chisel is only three and nine-sixteenths inches long; while it is one and three-sixteenths inches broad at the upper end, and but seven-sixteenths of an inch thick, it nevertheless diminishes toward the lower end to a breadth of three-eighths of an inch at the knife-edge. The slope of the one side toward the latter is by far shorter than that of the broad chisel, and yet the same indications of its use with a hammer can be found. The curvature of the cross section of this implement corresponds to the natural form of the antler from which it was made.
Such chisels[[146]] partly took the place of an axe in woodwork among the Indians, just as, for example, this was still the case among the Hupa during the eighties of the last century,[[147]] in the construction of houses. The Klamaths in Oregon still make use of such chisels. The better known implements of recent times possess only the natural surface of the original antler.
It is of interest to know that implements of exactly the same kind were found in the shellmounds of the Atlantic coast, e.g., in Maine.[[148]]
b. Chisel-like Implements of Varying Forms.
Implement 1-8730, [pl. 8, fig. 1], found in stratum V, has a length of nine and three-fourths inches and a breadth of one and seven-eighths and one and five-sixteenth inches. It will be seen that though of greater length and breadth it is flatter than the preceding. On account of its origin from a complete antler it is curved along its length, and slightly curved in on its concave side. At the lower end of the latter it is given a straight slant for three and a quarter inches in the diameter of the breadth. Its upper end shows the same signs of use with a hammer, while the slanting surface is greatly worn on the sides. This makes it probable that the use of this tool was in many respects different from the preceding. It was possibly used as a lever.
For this also a parallel exists in the form of an apparently identical implement from the shellmounds in Maine.[[149]] As regards form, certain implements of the bones of cattle found in the caves of French Switzerland are similar to this object. Rauch calls them “leather-cutters” (Lederschneidemesser).[[150]]
[146] A little information on this point is brought together by the writer in Mitth. der Anthrop. Ges. Wien., 1886, Vol. 16.
[147] A similar one from San Joaquin county has been illustrated by Moorehead, l. c., p. 271, fig. 410, No. 2. Cf. also F. W. Putnam, l. c., p. 229, figs. 106-108, wedge-like implements from southern California.
[148] Cf. Mason, Smithson. Reports, 1886, I, pl. xviii, fig. 19, with 10, 208.
[149] Cf. J. Wyman, l. c., pl. IV, figs. 2 and 2a with p. 583. Ch. A. Abbott, who represents the same implement, l. c., p. 211, fig. 196, says Massachusetts probably by mistake.
[150] J. Wyman, l. c., pl. XIV, fig. 1, with p. 582. Cf. also Ch. A. Abbott, l. c., p. 211, fig. 195. The implement is unfortunately represented in both places sidewise in an unfavorable manner.
2. Implements of Antlers with Dull, Rounded Ends.
Three such objects have been found. One of them is seven and one-eighth inches long, diminishing, horn-like, toward the blunt point. It came from the middle stratum of the mound. It is represented in [pl. 8, fig. 7]. Another is a young branch of an antler, and the third is a mere fragment. The use of these objects, which were doubtless implements, cannot be conjectured.
3. Pointed Implements.
Only one fragmentary blade exists, about one inch long.
4. Straight, Truncated Implements.
Two specimens of this kind came from stratum V of the mound. They are wanting in other parts of the mound. One of them is reproduced in [pl. 8, fig. 4]. It diminishes, horn-like, toward the lower end. Here it is truncated abruptly, having a breadth of five-eighths inches. Unfortunately the upper end is incomplete. The other implement, 1-8722, is absolutely identical with the one just described.
The collection contains also a fragmentary bone tool, 1-9066, which was found in stratum X. It may have corresponded to the peculiar implement, reproduced by J. Wyman,[[151]] pl. 14, fig. 3 (with the spiral cuts at the upper end), which was found in the shellmounds of Massachusetts.