Scrapers . These are fresh-water mussel shells denticulated along their
anterior edge (Fig. 16d, g, i, j). Spacing of the teeth on these tools
matches the striations observed on the interior of Donnaha sherds in
accordance with the function ascribed by Coe (1952:311). Two of the four
specimens recovered were found in association with an unusual abundance of
fish remains, holding out the possibility that the shells also performed as
fish scalers— replicative experiments show they function quite effectively in
this task.
It is of interest to note the distribution of different kinds of shell
beads occurring as constituent associations with the burials, for here there
appears a distinct pattern. Beads were found interred only with adult males
and, when present with a burial, consisted of a single type of bead. On the
single occasion where disc beads are associated with a burial (F.S. 22-5)
other beads are present, but these are of bone and occupy a separate strand.
Also the marginella beads were found only with skeletons in the E.U. 16 area,
suggesting either temporal or social distance vis-a-vis the individuals buried
in the E.U. 34-39 area. Finally, it should be noted that marginella beads,
although abundant in certain burials are very rarely found in the midden where
both disk and tubular specimens were common, suggesting that marginella, while
seemingly '•cheaper" to produce, were more intensely curated.
Although only two gorgets were recovered, their association shows a
variation from the beads. The oval specimen was worn by an adult male, the
carved one by a female (F.S. 34-118); both were in the E.U. 34 area.
Ground Stone Assemblage (Table 4)
Pipes . No complete pipes were found, but several unfinished or broken
specimens reveal a variety of shape and size. Included is a small elbow pipe
(Fig. 18c), an unfinished tubular pipe (Fig. 18j ) , a short stemmed specimen of
biotite schist (Fig. 18i) and a "blank" for an elbow pipe. Additionally there
are two pipe stems oval in cross-section, one with a pronounced groove on one
surface (Fig. 18k, 1), and several bowl fragments, only one with decoration
(Fig. 18 f, h) . Except for the schist specimen all are of the local soapstone.
There remains a piece of lineated gneiss 15 cm long and 4.4 cm wide,
trapezoidal in cross-section. This piece may represent an unfinished pipe
stem—it is broken at both ends and only crudely modified.
Bead . A tubular soapstone bead, 2 cm long, was found—it has been
broken longitudinally (Fig. 18b).
Pendant . Flat and roughly triangular in outline, the pendant is
serrated on two sides and has two encircling grooves at the top, presumably
for suspension. This soapstone piece may be an effigy of a human face in
profile, with the eye represented by a small pit (see arrow, Fig. 18a) on
either side.
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