Description:

North American, southeastern United States, Archaic Period, ca. 7000 to 3000 BP. A hand-shaped slate bannerstone with pretty swirling, striped patterns and smooth surface. This bannerstone has winged tips, a triangular cross section, and a hole drilled vertically through the center. Fittingly these winged bannerstones are known "Double Crescent" types. This may have functioned as a weight for an atlatl which is a type of spear. Bannerstones, nicely exemplified with this winged piece, may have been both practical and symbolic. Size: 5.125" L x 1" W x 2.875" H (13 cm x 2.5 cm x 7.3 cm)

Bannerstones remain an archaeological mystery. For many years, inspired by research done by a former physicist, archaeologists believed that bannerstones were used as weights to give atlatls greater power and control. Later experimental archaeology proved that this was not true - but did open up the possibility that the bannerstone helped with fatigue when holding an atlatl still while stalking skittish prey like deer.

Provenance: private Kansas City, Missouri, USA collection, ex-John Townsend collection, formed in the 1970s and earlier

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#161629

  • Condition: Loss and chips to one wing. Surface abrasions, chips, and nicks to peripheries. Nice natural stone inclusions.

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February 18, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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