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 │6. As slingstones.
or warfare. │
„ „ │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│13. Hand-pestles.
grinding. │
„ „ │14. Hanging-pestles.
„ „ │15. Paint-stones.
„ „ │16. Rubbing-stones.
„ „ │17. Hammers.
───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────
V. As ornaments. │18. Ear ornaments.
„ „ │19. Simple pendants.
───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────
VI. With superstitious │20. Amulets and
significance. │
„ „ │21. Charm-stones.
„ „ │22. Lucky stones.
───────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────
VII. As drum-rattles. │
VIII. As true plummets. │
IX. As game stones. │
X. In connection with phallic │
worship. │
[Illustration:
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.
[Illustration:
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.
]
It seems to me that the uses assigned under V and VI are more probable.
I am of the opinion that we can set aside the proposal under IV, that
plummets served as hand-pestles, they being too small for that purpose.
All the paint-pestles I have ever observed were miniature hand-pestles,
or “mullers,” and not grooved.
[Illustration:
FIG. 379. (S. 1–4.) This figure shows a series of plummet-shaped
stones from California. These are in the Peabody Museum, Harvard
University. Quite a number of these are not grooved. More highly
specialized plummets from California are shown in Fig. 383. Nobody
has ever satisfactorily explained the anchor-shaped stones from
along the Pacific Coast, some of which are illustrated in this
figure.
]
There is presented by Dr. Peabody on page 25 of his paper, the opinion
that these might be worn about the neck by a man when fishing or
hunting, rather than that they were in actual use as a part of fishing
or hunting paraphernalia. Here we have what seems to me to be the
solution of the mystery. The charm-stone brought luck to the man in his
pursuits of game on land and fish in the sea. But it was entirely too
valuable a stone to attach to the cord and risk losing during the
fishing operations. Pursuing our study of aboriginal traits, we may, at
last, come to an understanding of the workings of the Indian mind, and
we may learn that the man placed greater faith in the potency of his
medicine, or of his charms, than he did in his actual implements made
use of in capturing game or defeating the enemy. Such things as these
plummets and other problematical forms served as charms, amulets, and
medicine-stones. But ruder things were made use of in the actual
workings necessary to achieve the desired results.
We have already seen (page 26) under which classification the Committee
places plummets. Plummets do not cover a wide range, and yet the plummet
form is doubtless an early development.
[Illustration:
FIG. 380. (S. 1–2.) Ornament and plummet. W. H. Foster collection,
Andover.
]
It was natural for man to select a bit of shell, oval in form, and
perforate it, and make of it a pendant just as he did in bright-colored
flat stones. It is quite likely that he next grooved a soft stone and
wore it as a plummet-shaped ornament. Becoming proficient in the working
of stone, he was able to groove harder materials and make of them the
plummets we find so frequently in some portions of America. I have not
attempted to subdivide plummets, although they may be long and slender,
short and thick, oval, flat on one side; or the body large, and the neck
somewhat lengthened. Plummets may also be grooved at either end, and
instead of being grooved may be perforated, as is seen in California
types.
It is well for readers and students alike to consult the large folder of
outlines (Fig. 292) which presents plummets as well as other forms.
The plummet may not only be plain, but also almost effigy-like in
character. Some of the sandstone plummets of the South, and of southern
Ohio as well, are decorated with incised lines as indicated in Fig. 360,
in which one is shown.
The New England plummets are of varying lengths, and the body may be
oval or almost globular. Occasionally, it is drawn to a point at the
base, as is observed in the central one, Fig. 377. There are also, in
this region, effigy-like plummets, and Fig. 414 shows one of these.
[Illustration:
FIG. 381. (S. 1–3.) Plummet-shaped stones from various sites in
Kentucky. Bennett H. Young’s collection, Louisville, Kentucky.
]
Fig. 380, Mr. William H. Foster’s collection, Andover, presents an
interesting stone plummet, one third size, and also a flat, grooved
slate object, in which distinct notches have been cut. Fig. 378, seven
plummets of varying dimensions and form, from northeastern Ohio, and
West Virginia, in the Andover collection. Fig. 382, a beautiful black
granite plummet from Dr. Charles F. Noe’s collection. This represents
the height of stone-age art in plummet-making. Fig. 383, ninety-five
plummets from the collection of the late Mr. J. B. Lewis, Petaluma,
California. Some of those hung on the lower row are perforated, some are
grooved and also perforated. Those on the six upper rows are not only
oval, but also slender, and yet
[Illustration:
FIG. 382. (S. 1–1.) From Section 21, Monroe Township, Johnson County,
Iowa. C. F. Noe’s collection, Amana, Iowa.
]
Regarding these numerous plummets and kindred shaped stones so common on
the Pacific Coast, not a little has been written, as reference to the
Bibliography will prove. Rev. H. C. Meredith[43] once wrote for me a
page concerning these strange objects. As it is concise and to the point
and as good as anything I have seen in print, I reproduce it here:
“The evidence seems to point to a variety of uses and not to one only.
The view most commonly held now, I believe, is that these objects are
‘medicine-stones’ or ‘charms,’ supposed to bring good luck and success
to their owners. Mr. J. G. Henderson, in an article published in the
_American Naturalist_, in 1872, appears to be the first to suggest this
use of the stones. Mr. H. W. Henshaw followed, in the American _Journal
of Archæology_, with an elaboration of this theory. Others have followed
with additional evidence in support of it. When a final conclusion is
reached, however, I think it will be to the effect that while these
stones were used as ‘charms,’ such use was not original and primary, but
secondary, perhaps only occasional and incidental.
[Illustration:
FIG. 383. (S. about 1–6.) California plummets and small mortars. J. B.
Lewis collection, Petaluma, Cal.
]
“Personally, I have no doubt that these stones were objects of utility
designed for several practical services in the economy of the
Californian aborigines. In the course of time, by a process of evolution
readily suggesting itself, a few of them, like the arrow and the pestle,
passed from the sphere of utility into that of veneration and ceremony.
Any one knowing the Indian character intimately will appreciate the ease
with which such a change could be wrought. I but lately witnessed an
illustration parallel. I was in attendance upon a ceremonial gathering
that continued through five days and nights. The native game called
‘hand-game’ or ‘guessing-game’ was played. Before the game began, I
bargained with a young Indian for his set of game-bones, to be delivered
at the close of the game. The bones had never been used. The play
continued for two days, and the team represented by this Indian won
everything the opposition could put up. The time of adjournment had not
been reached, but wishing to close my bargain, I offered the man the sum
agreed upon. This he refused, and with many and earnest words explained
that the bones were ‘good medicine’ and ‘lucky’; that he had never done
so well before. If he sold them he could never get such lucky ones
again, etc. After much talk he proposed to let me have them for twice
the sum agreed upon. I declined, though I really intended to take them.
I imagined I would lose nothing by delay. In the meantime a company of
Pah-Utes came in and joined the losers. A stake was raised and a new
game started, the Pah-Utes using their own songs and changing them often
for ‘luck.’ But after six hours they were wholly defeated, losing
everything to the same set of bones. After a while I hunted up my Indian
and reopened negotiations for the bones. After beating about the bush I
offered him his price. To my chagrin he refused the sum and would not
listen to any offer. I was given to understand that no Indian could sell
such lucky bones. I then called other Indians to my aid, men who had
refused me nothing I was willing to pay for, but they gravely repeated
the saying that the bones were ‘lucky’ and ‘good medicine’; that they
could never be replaced, and it was useless to talk about buying them.
Now any one can see how a few more successes with these bones would
place them in the sphere of veneration. Any one having them in his
possession would be considered an invincible player. Ultimately they
would pass from the sphere of utility into that of superstition and
become ‘charms.’
[Illustration:
FIG. 384. (S. 1–2.) Stone Rings. Collection of W. H. Thacker,
Arlington, Washington.
]
“So with the perforated stones I am considering. Suppose they were used
as net sinkers, or line sinkers, as there is reason to believe they
were, and remarkable catches of fish with that net or line would make
for the stones the reputation of being ‘lucky.’ Continued successes
would transfer them to the realm of veneration—they would become
‘charms.’ They need no longer be fastened to net or line. It would be
enough to hang them over the water or from the canoe. Suppose they were
used to twist bow-strings; and some were no doubt so used. Unusual
success with that bow would sooner or later change the twister into a
‘charm,’ and so on.
[Illustration:
FIG. 385. (S. 1–3 to 2–3.) Collection of B. H. Young, Louisville,
Kentucky.
]
“When a stone would be regarded as lucky, it would begin to receive at
the hands of the owner the finishing and polishing touches which at last
produced the rare specimen of elegant finish, sometimes, but not often,
found.”
The stone rings and circular stones (not discoidals) in which the
centres have been cut out and other curious forms, similar to those
shown in Figs. 384 and 385, have never been sufficiently studied. There
are a great many of these found in the United States, but not many in
one locality. There are little ornamented stone rings found in the
mounds of the Scioto Valley, Ohio. Also, from Tennessee graves. There
are large, clumsy rings from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. There
are rings which are apparently finger-rings, not only in stone but also
in shell and copper. I regret that I have not sufficient space to
consider these more in detail.
[Illustration:
FIG. 386. (S. 1–1.) Andover collection. To the left is a broken
problematical form made into an ornament, but it is to the two other
specimens that I would direct attention. This circular form of
ornament is rare. It is my theory that having made this type the
native enlarged the hole until but a rim remained. Thus developed
the finger-ring and the bracelet. Materials: sandstone and black
slate. Localities: Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
]
The rings may be divided into two classes: those for ornamentation and
those for use in certain pursuits. Regarding the large rings found in
California and Arizona, several theories have been advanced, chief among
which are that they were weights for making more serviceable digging
implements; that they were put on clubs and used as defensive weapons.
Regarding the ornamental rings such as are shown in Fig. 385 from
Kentucky, these were finger-rings. Sometimes large ones are worn as
bracelets, but most bracelets were made of copper or shell.
The rings with concave sides such as Fig. 384 were probably made use of
in ceremonies concerning the nature of which we are ignorant.