[196] Smith (a), p. 190; (b), p. 438.
[197] Spinden, p. 187, Fig. 32, Plate VII.
Tools Used by Women.
A number of implements were found which may have served for the preparation of skins and for sewing. Among these may be mentioned skin scrapers, awls, a needle, and a mat presser.
Fig. 53 (202-8302). Scraper chipped from a Flat Circular Pebble. From the surface of the bank of Columbia River near the head of Priest Rapids. ½ nat. size.
Fig. 54 (202-8307). Scraper or Knife chipped from a Pebble. From the surface of the bank of Columbia River, near the head of Priest Rapids. ½ nat. size.
Scrapers Chipped from Stone. The scrapers chipped from stone, shown in Figs. [49] to [52], and considered among tools used by men on [pp. 67-68], may possibly have been used on skins although they seem rather small for such a purpose. The specimen shown in [Fig. 53], made from a flat circular pebble was found on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River, near the head of Priest Rapids. The edges are chipped in such a way that it has been brought somewhat to the form of a square. This object would serve well as a skin scraper if hafted in the split end of a stick and used like similar implements seen in use by us among the natives of the Thompson River region.[198] It resembles archaeological specimens from the same area.[199] In the Nez Perce region to the east[200] a disk-shaped spall struck from a boulder was used for skin scraping. Another form, shown in [Fig. 54], is chipped from a pebble, probably a flat circular one. Along one side, the surface of the pebble shows, but on the other it has been completely chipped away. In outline, the object is elliptical, but has a slight tendency to be pointed at each end. It is lenticular in section, with the edges jaggedly sharp. This reminds us of certain specimens found at Columbus and The Dalles, which have the same general shape, but are ground and polished, so that no signs of chipping remain on some of them. It seems probable that this specimen is a roughed-out form of the same kind, which may have been used in its present condition, or was intended to be finished by grinding and polishing. It seems quite likely that this implement may have been hafted in the end of a split stick and used as a skin scraper, similar to those previously mentioned. On the other hand, it may have been held in the hand and used in scraping skins or perhaps as a knife. It was found with another on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River, near the head of Priest Rapids. Another of these (202-8117) was found on the surface at Kennewick. The specimen shown in [Fig. 55] is simply an oval water-worn pebble with one edge chipped on both sides. It is 115 mm. long by 16 mm. thick, may be an unfinished object, if not a scraper or knife, and was found on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River near the head of Priest Rapids.
Scrapers Rubbed from Bone. Scrapers made of bone, similar to those found by us in the Thompson River region and in the vicinity of Puget Sound[201] were not seen in the Yakima region.