The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration / With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times

by Thomas Wilson

Fig. 304.
ENGRAVED SHELL DISK GORGET.
Rude cross with many dots. Lick Creek, Tenn.
Second Annual Report of the Bureau
of Ethnology, pl. 52, fig. 2.

Fig. 305.
ENGRAVED SHELL WITH FIGURE
OF GREEK CROSS.
Caldwell County, N. C.
Cat. No. 33169, U. S. N. M.

Fig. 306.
ENGRAVED SHELL WITH
THREE-ARMED CROSS
(TRISKELION).
Lick Creek, Tenn.
Cat. No. 83170,
U. S. N. M.

The U. S. National Museum possesses a small shell ornament ([fig. 305]) in the form of a cross, from Lenoir’s burial place, Fort Defiance, Caldwell County, N. C., collected by Dr. Spainhour and Mr. Rogan, the latter being an employé of the Bureau of Ethnology. It is in the form of a Greek cross, the four arms crossing at right angles and being of equal length. The arms are of the plain shell, while they are brought to view by the field being cross-hatched. The specimen has, unfortunately, been broken, and being fragile has been secured in a bed of plaster.