“Presumably, then, the ‘hoe-shaped implement’ was an axe and, as it was not intended for active use, it was a ceremonial axe, as I have maintained in previous writings; and the hole, when it existed, was to lash the blade more firmly to the handle. Perhaps, where the hole is not present, the blade was used without one, since the hole is not indispensable; or just as likely an unfinished object was buried with the dead. The discovery of cases of this kind abound in mound work.”

CHAPTER XXIII
GROUND STONE—PROBLEMATICAL FORMS

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.