Fig. 553. (S. 1–2.) Mandan bone ornaments.
Mandan Bone Implements
Something over twenty years ago, when I was living in Ohio, I received a communication from Mr. E. R. Steinbrueck of Mandan, North Dakota. He wished to begin the study of American archæology, to devote special attention to the ancient village-site of the Mandan Indians, made famous by George Catlin’s paintings and descriptions. I wrote to Mr. Steinbrueck a number of letters advising him. During the ensuing years, Mr. Steinbrueck spent many seasons in the exploration of the Mandan and other sites. His collection of bone and stone implements, amounted to about 8000 specimens.
Fig. 554. (S. 1–3.) Mandan bone objects. This figure represents some perforated bones from Mandan sites. Many similar to these have been found at Madisonville. The holes are polished on the edges, and aside from the theory that they were used to straighten arrow-shafts, no one seems to know the exact purpose of them. A few are shown in Fig. 555. Peabody Museum collection, from Madisonville, Ohio.
Mr. Steinbrueck wished to have his collection preserved in a fireproof building, and as it was through me he began collecting, he wished Phillips Academy to purchase his exhibit. Through the kindness of Professor Edward H. Williams, Jr., of Woodstock, Vermont, this disposition of the collection was brought about, and the collection is to-day on exhibition in our museum. I call particular attention to this Mandan exhibit, for the reason that it is, so far as I am aware, the best and largest collection of bone implements exhumed from one site, in America.
Suitable stone seems to have been scarce in the Mandan country, and the natives made use of the shoulder blades, ribs, and other heavy bones of buffalo, elk, and deer for various purposes, and these strong bones served them quite as well as would stone. An inspection of the illustrations of various Mandan objects will acquaint readers with the wealth of material secured by Mr. Steinbrueck.
I call particular attention to Figs. 550 to 555. In Fig. 550 are shown heavy bone handles in which were inserted small stone celts employed as scraping- and cutting-tools. This type was common on the Plains and has been described by Professor Mason and others. The handle is so strong that it would last almost a lifetime, and the Indian women needed but to sharpen the inserted celt, rather than to make a new handle.
