Fig. 376. (S. 1–3.) Seven spud-shaped objects of slate and greenstone. These range from 3 1–8 to 17 1–4 inches. All are from sites along the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers in southwestern Kentucky. Collection of Bennett H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky.
“As I have found, in place, in Florida, in Georgia, and in Alabama, a considerable number of what have been called ‘hoe-shaped implements’ (Mr. Brown’s ‘Class C,’ among spuds, though he differentiates their uses from those of the other two classes), I have thought a description of these ‘implements’ found by me might be of interest.
“Three of these ‘implements,’ all beautifully made of hard stone, all with perforations, came from a mound on the ‘Charlotte Thompson place,’ near Montgomery, Alabama. One of these specimens clearly bears the marks left by a handle. The shank has projected beyond the handle on one side; on the other side the line of the handle passes across the top of the perforation. Another ‘implement’ has similar traces of a handle which are less distinctly marked.
“An interesting feature is that marks made by a drill, probably a reed, since the nucleus of a core is apparent, are plainly visible on the implement. Seemingly the endeavor to perforate the shank was abandoned after several attempts. The line left by one side of the handle is just above where the perforation was to have been.”
From the twelve specimens found by Mr. C. B. Moore in his explorations he draws conclusions as follows:—
“From the soft character of the stones from which some of these ‘implements’ are made, it would not seem that they were intended for active use.
“As some are not pierced, and as others have the hole too low on the shank to allow graceful suspension, it does not seem likely that these objects were used as ornaments or that the hole was intended for attachment to the person.
“Inasmuch as on some of these, marks left by a handle are plainly discernible, probably all were used with handles, some of which left no trace. On certain ‘celts’ also one plainly sees where handles have been, but more frequently no marks are apparent.