Description:

Native American, Midwestern United States, Indiana, Steuben County, late Archaic to Woodland period, ca. 1000 BCE to 800 CE. A hand pecked and polished banded slate artifact known as a boatstone with a triangular profile and a pair of drilled holes. The perforations are drilled from the flat base vertically through and out from the top, the twisting motion employed is evident by the wide opening and conical, tapering bore hole. Boatstones are mysterious items that were probably used to weight an atlatl and increase efficiency - although their exact use is unknown. The weight is so named for its boat-like shape (and others are cupped, with a scooped-out underside, giving it an even more boat-like profile). If indeed they were used to weight atlatls, they would have been tied between the handle and the hook end where the dart or spear was placed. Size: 3.5" L x 1" W x 1" H (8.9 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm)

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

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162008

  • Condition: Old and smooth chips to edge of base. Minor surface nicks, but otherwise intact and excellent. Old find site label on underside of base.

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June 2, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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