Unique Connecticut Indian Artifacts

 

 

 

This may look like a regular piece of stone from Connecticut. The stone itself is very soft and layered. This is a metamorphic type stone called schist.  It is uncommon for schist to be used to manufacture tools because it is so soft. 

 

The learning curve in a subject like Archaeology is vast and ever changing. The basics may be in books for all to read and learn but when something like this is found it generates thoughts about its use. The only people that saw it used are long gone and one can only observe the wear patterns and wonder. Who made it? Why did they make it?  When was it made?

 

This Stone is what I call a Netting Stone. I have only seen one reference to this type of an artifact described in a publication. They must be quite rare because of the lack of descriptions available.

 

I will attempt to describe its use for you. This was part of an Indigenous Person’s tool kit. Used somewhat like a modern day shuttle. I know it looks nothing like a modern day shuttle but I will explain my theory.

 

The Artifact is asymmetrical; its length along the tallied edge is 3 and ¾ inches. Its width is 1 and ¾ inches. The maximum thickness is 5/16 of an inch. There are twenty-six tally marks along one edge. This edge was used to count how many loops were needed. On one of the flat sides there are two lines engraved into the stone. These lines where perhaps to give a distinct area to work within to keep a more uniform loop size.

 

My web site has more hypothesize about the use of this tool.

 

The cordage was likely made of plant fiber. It may have been made of hair or even sinew. The net may not even have been used for fishing! Lets assume it could have been created to store items in like a modern day gym bag. It would be nice to have a net bag to carry items or suspend them above the ground. It could have been created as a trap for birds. Another possibility could be nets for forming pottery. One thing I think they didn’t use the net for was the lunch ladies hair.

 

The size and shape of the stone had something to do with how big the opening in the net would be on the finished product.

I believe the cordage was wrapped around then tied and slid off the opposite end of the stone. This would give a uniform opening size for each of the loops in the net.

 

It is the artifacts like this that push me to study. Finding this has pushed me to hit the books. It makes me think about what the person looked like who created these tools. When I discover an artifact my mind will race and it makes me wonder and feel good about the discovery. I think of sharing it and showing it.

 

Could I be wrong about my opinion of this artifact? Is it really a netting stone? What are your thoughts?  It could be a tool for working on pottery. The edge opposite the tallied edge is very smooth from a great deal of rubbing.

 

  I am asked often, what is your favorite artifact in your collection. I cannot pick just one. Some are favorites because I was with my dad when I found them. Some are favorites because of the unusual way I found it. I have found points while trout fishing just reaching down to release or capture a fish and there would be a point just lying there at the waters edge. This one is a favorite because of the thought it has generated. I look for others like this in collections and in books on New England Archaeology but I have only seen one reference.