PLUMMET-SHAPED STONES: STONE RINGS
For the instruction of readers, we are fortunate in having to recommend a monograph entitled “The So-Called Plummets,” which was written by Dr. Charles Peabody.[[42]] This contains an exhaustive description of such forms of objects as are illustrated in Figs. 377–383. Dr. Peabody examined all that the writers have said with reference to these interesting, problematical forms. The many theories offered were presented by him in the form of a table which is herewith reproduced.
| I. | In connection with fishing. | 1. Drag-line sinkers. |
| 2. Fishing-line sinkers (above hook). | ||
| 3. Fishing-line sinkers (below hook). | ||
| 4. Net-sinkers. | ||
| 5. Bait and hook combined. | ||
| II. | In connection with the chase or warfare. | 6. As slingstones. |
| 7. As black-jacks. | ||
| 8. As bolas. | ||
| III. | In connection with textiles. | 9. Twine or sinew twisters. |
| 10. Spinning-weights. | ||
| 11. Netting-weights. | ||
| 12. Weaving-weights. | ||
| IV. | In connection with hitting or grinding. | 13. Hand-pestles. |
| 14. Hanging-pestles. | ||
| 15. Paint-stones. | ||
| 16. Rubbing-stones. | ||
| 17. Hammers. | ||
| V. | As ornaments. | 18. Ear ornaments. |
| 19. Simple pendants. | ||
| VI. | With superstitious significance. | 20. Amulets and |
| 21. Charm-stones. | ||
| 22. Lucky stones. | ||
| VII. | As drum-rattles. | |
| VIII. | As true plummets. | |
| IX. | As game stones. | |
| X. | In connection with phallic worship. |
Fig. 377. (S. 1–3.) Four porphyry plummets from the Peabody Museum collection, Salem, Massachusetts. A number of these were found together, not far from Ipswich. The Salem collection contains numerous examples of fine plummet-shaped stones. They range from those having a narrow neck to those with broad necks. In some, there is a sudden swelling between the neck and body of the plummet. Usually, the bases are round, but occasionally there is a variation in the lines of contour. All four types are shown in this figure.
All of the above uses were assigned by various writers. Now and then bright-colored stones, slender and oval in form, have been made use of by tribes in the far North and on islands of the sea as fish lure, just as we make use of bright spoons in trolling. But the average fresh-water fish would not be attracted by such clumsy lures. I have seen objects similar to those shown in Fig. 293 in the Peabody Museum, Cambridge, and in the Smithsonian Institution, which were made use of for such purposes. But these are very different, in form, as readers will observe by reference, from plummets. Among observers, it is generally accepted, that in the Delaware and Susquehanna valleys where many common, flat pebbles are found, the notches on these indicate that they were made use of as net-sinkers. I have seen old Ojibwa Indians on White Earth reservation using such sinkers as net-weights. Although several writers, including Mr. Meredith, claim that plummets were made use of in line-fishing, I cannot bring myself to accept the statement.
Fig. 378. (S. 1–2.) Plummets from Phillips Academy collection, Andover, Massachusetts. These are from New England, Ohio, and West Virginia. The form varies from long cylindrical-shaped objects to simple oval plummets. Occasionally specimens are gracefully beveled to a point, as in the second specimen from the bottom. There is an infinite variety, as will be observed by studying these forms. Materials: sandstone, granite, and shale.
It seems to me that the uses assigned under V and VI are more probable. I am of the opinion that we can set aside the proposal under IV, that plummets served as hand-pestles, they being too small for that purpose. All the paint-pestles I have ever observed were miniature hand-pestles, or “mullers,” and not grooved.
Fig. 379. (S. 1–4.) This figure shows a series of plummet-shaped stones from California. These are in the Peabody Museum, Harvard University. Quite a number of these are not grooved. More highly specialized plummets from California are shown in Fig. 383. Nobody has ever satisfactorily explained the anchor-shaped stones from along the Pacific Coast, some of which are illustrated in this figure.
There is presented by Dr. Peabody on page 25 of his paper, the opinion that these might be worn about the neck by a man when fishing or hunting, rather than that they were in actual use as a part of fishing or hunting paraphernalia. Here we have what seems to me to be the solution of the mystery. The charm-stone brought luck to the man in his pursuits of game on land and fish in the sea. But it was entirely too valuable a stone to attach to the cord and risk losing during the fishing operations. Pursuing our study of aboriginal traits, we may, at last, come to an understanding of the workings of the Indian mind, and we may learn that the man placed greater faith in the potency of his medicine, or of his charms, than he did in his actual implements made use of in capturing game or defeating the enemy. Such things as these plummets and other problematical forms served as charms, amulets, and medicine-stones. But ruder things were made use of in the actual workings necessary to achieve the desired results.
We have already seen (page [26]) under which classification the Committee places plummets. Plummets do not cover a wide range, and yet the plummet form is doubtless an early development.
Fig. 380. (S. 1–2.) Ornament and plummet. W. H. Foster collection, Andover.
It was natural for man to select a bit of shell, oval in form, and perforate it, and make of it a pendant just as he did in bright-colored flat stones. It is quite likely that he next grooved a soft stone and wore it as a plummet-shaped ornament. Becoming proficient in the working of stone, he was able to groove harder materials and make of them the plummets we find so frequently in some portions of America. I have not attempted to subdivide plummets, although they may be long and slender, short and thick, oval, flat on one side; or the body large, and the neck somewhat lengthened. Plummets may also be grooved at either end, and instead of being grooved may be perforated, as is seen in California types.
It is well for readers and students alike to consult the large folder of outlines (Fig. 292) which presents plummets as well as other forms.
The plummet may not only be plain, but also almost effigy-like in character. Some of the sandstone plummets of the South, and of southern Ohio as well, are decorated with incised lines as indicated in Fig. 360, in which one is shown.
The New England plummets are of varying lengths, and the body may be oval or almost globular. Occasionally, it is drawn to a point at the base, as is observed in the central one, Fig. 377. There are also, in this region, effigy-like plummets, and Fig. 414 shows one of these.
Fig. 381. (S. 1–3.) Plummet-shaped stones from various sites in Kentucky. Bennett H. Young’s collection, Louisville, Kentucky.
Fig. 380, Mr. William H. Foster’s collection, Andover, presents an interesting stone plummet, one third size, and also a flat, grooved slate object, in which distinct notches have been cut. Fig. 378, seven plummets of varying dimensions and form, from northeastern Ohio, and West Virginia, in the Andover collection. Fig. 382, a beautiful black granite plummet from Dr. Charles F. Noe’s collection. This represents the height of stone-age art in plummet-making. Fig. 383, ninety-five plummets from the collection of the late Mr. J. B. Lewis, Petaluma, California. Some of those hung on the lower row are perforated, some are grooved and also perforated. Those on the six upper rows are not only oval, but also slender, and yet
Fig. 382. (S. 1–1.) From Section 21, Monroe Township, Johnson County, Iowa. C. F. Noe’s collection, Amana, Iowa.
Regarding these numerous plummets and kindred shaped stones so common on the Pacific Coast, not a little has been written, as reference to the Bibliography will prove. Rev. H. C. Meredith[[43]] once wrote for me a page concerning these strange objects. As it is concise and to the point and as good as anything I have seen in print, I reproduce it here:
“The evidence seems to point to a variety of uses and not to one only. The view most commonly held now, I believe, is that these objects are ‘medicine-stones’ or ‘charms,’ supposed to bring good luck and success to their owners. Mr. J. G. Henderson, in an article published in the American Naturalist, in 1872, appears to be the first to suggest this use of the stones. Mr. H. W. Henshaw followed, in the American Journal of Archæology, with an elaboration of this theory. Others have followed with additional evidence in support of it. When a final conclusion is reached, however, I think it will be to the effect that while these stones were used as ‘charms,’ such use was not original and primary, but secondary, perhaps only occasional and incidental.
Fig. 383. (S. about 1–6.) California plummets and small mortars. J. B. Lewis collection, Petaluma, Cal.
“Personally, I have no doubt that these stones were objects of utility designed for several practical services in the economy of the Californian aborigines. In the course of time, by a process of evolution readily suggesting itself, a few of them, like the arrow and the pestle, passed from the sphere of utility into that of veneration and ceremony. Any one knowing the Indian character intimately will appreciate the ease with which such a change could be wrought. I but lately witnessed an illustration parallel. I was in attendance upon a ceremonial gathering that continued through five days and nights. The native game called ‘hand-game’ or ‘guessing-game’ was played. Before the game began, I bargained with a young Indian for his set of game-bones, to be delivered at the close of the game. The bones had never been used. The play continued for two days, and the team represented by this Indian won everything the opposition could put up. The time of adjournment had not been reached, but wishing to close my bargain, I offered the man the sum agreed upon. This he refused, and with many and earnest words explained that the bones were ‘good medicine’ and ‘lucky’; that he had never done so well before. If he sold them he could never get such lucky ones again, etc. After much talk he proposed to let me have them for twice the sum agreed upon. I declined, though I really intended to take them. I imagined I would lose nothing by delay. In the meantime a company of Pah-Utes came in and joined the losers. A stake was raised and a new game started, the Pah-Utes using their own songs and changing them often for ‘luck.’ But after six hours they were wholly defeated, losing everything to the same set of bones. After a while I hunted up my Indian and reopened negotiations for the bones. After beating about the bush I offered him his price. To my chagrin he refused the sum and would not listen to any offer. I was given to understand that no Indian could sell such lucky bones. I then called other Indians to my aid, men who had refused me nothing I was willing to pay for, but they gravely repeated the saying that the bones were ‘lucky’ and ‘good medicine’; that they could never be replaced, and it was useless to talk about buying them. Now any one can see how a few more successes with these bones would place them in the sphere of veneration. Any one having them in his possession would be considered an invincible player. Ultimately they would pass from the sphere of utility into that of superstition and become ‘charms.’
Fig. 384. (S. 1–2.) Stone Rings. Collection of W. H. Thacker, Arlington, Washington.
“So with the perforated stones I am considering. Suppose they were used as net sinkers, or line sinkers, as there is reason to believe they were, and remarkable catches of fish with that net or line would make for the stones the reputation of being ‘lucky.’ Continued successes would transfer them to the realm of veneration—they would become ‘charms.’ They need no longer be fastened to net or line. It would be enough to hang them over the water or from the canoe. Suppose they were used to twist bow-strings; and some were no doubt so used. Unusual success with that bow would sooner or later change the twister into a ‘charm,’ and so on.
Fig. 385. (S. 1–3 to 2–3.) Collection of B. H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky.
“When a stone would be regarded as lucky, it would begin to receive at the hands of the owner the finishing and polishing touches which at last produced the rare specimen of elegant finish, sometimes, but not often, found.”
The stone rings and circular stones (not discoidals) in which the centres have been cut out and other curious forms, similar to those shown in Figs. 384 and 385, have never been sufficiently studied. There are a great many of these found in the United States, but not many in one locality. There are little ornamented stone rings found in the mounds of the Scioto Valley, Ohio. Also, from Tennessee graves. There are large, clumsy rings from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. There are rings which are apparently finger-rings, not only in stone but also in shell and copper. I regret that I have not sufficient space to consider these more in detail.
Fig. 386. (S. 1–1.) Andover collection. To the left is a broken problematical form made into an ornament, but it is to the two other specimens that I would direct attention. This circular form of ornament is rare. It is my theory that having made this type the native enlarged the hole until but a rim remained. Thus developed the finger-ring and the bracelet. Materials: sandstone and black slate. Localities: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
The rings may be divided into two classes: those for ornamentation and those for use in certain pursuits. Regarding the large rings found in California and Arizona, several theories have been advanced, chief among which are that they were weights for making more serviceable digging implements; that they were put on clubs and used as defensive weapons.
Regarding the ornamental rings such as are shown in Fig. 385 from Kentucky, these were finger-rings. Sometimes large ones are worn as bracelets, but most bracelets were made of copper or shell.
The rings with concave sides such as Fig. 384 were probably made use of in ceremonies concerning the nature of which we are ignorant.