Fig. 565. (S. 1–1.) Engraved bone, Hopewell Mound, Ohio.
Fig. 566. (S. 1–1.) Engraved bone, Hopewell Mound.
Fig. 567. (S. 1–1.) Bone effigy, Hopewell Mound, Ohio.
“Bone implements and ornaments of these and other classes have also been recovered from various village-sites, refuse-heaps, and mounds. Bone awls are the most numerous. Among these are a few bone beads, scrapers, and needles. Two ribbons, probably those of the moose, were obtained from a mound at Eagle Corners. Both are transversely notched by cuts along one edge. One bears thirty-four cuts, the other thirty-three. The most casual examination ... reveals the evidence of rubbing over the projections between the notches. Dr. Frederick Starr, who has described these specimens, refers to them as ‘rattles,’ and states that ‘they not only might have been used for dance-timing, but were certainly so used.’[[24]] It is probable that some of our native copper perforators were once mounted in bone or antler handles. The Winnebago Indians still occasionally mount wire nails in handles of bone for use as perforators in sewing buckskin. Bone awls are also occasionally found in use among these Indians and the local Chippewa. Medicine-tubes made of sections of bone or horn were formerly employed. Pendants made of the perforated canine teeth of the bear are occasionally found in graves and on camp-sites. Mr. Richard Herrmann of Dubuque has reported the finding of two combination bone knives and spoons, several awls and arrow-points, two eagle claw ornaments, a bone needle with part of the eye intact, and a musical instrument from a mound near Garner, in Grant County.”
Dr. W. J. Hoffmann mentions the former use of bone fish-hooks and notched bone arrow-shaft smoothers among the Wisconsin Menomini. For evening strands of basswood fibre in cord-making, these Indians use the perforated shoulder blade of a deer or other animal.[[25]]
“Radisson found that the early Bœuf Sioux of the upper Mississippi Valley tipped their arrows with antler points. A few antler arrow-points have been found in Wisconsin. These are similar to those recovered in Ohio during the recent explorations of Dr. W. C. Mills. In the H. P. Hamilton collection is a portion of an antler which is ornamented with incised designs. It was found in the city of Manitowoc. In the same collection is a small human effigy carved from a piece of antler. Other antler objects found in Wisconsin include awls, a pendant, a tube, and several articles the exact function of which is still undetermined. Cut sections of antler are occasionally found on local village-sites. In the collection of Mr. J. P. Schumacher, at Green Bay, is a pipe made of the tip of a buffalo-horn. On its surface are several incised figures. Pieces of the tusk of a mammoth were obtained with other articles in a Grant County mound. Doubtless a much larger number of both bone and antler implements will yet be found in Wisconsin. Local archæologists have but recently turned their attention to these.”