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Archaeology/native american hunting stone?

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Expert: - 4/10/2010


Question

hunting stone?
hello ralph. i've tooled around on the internet trying to find a match to a stone i found 25 years ago in the buttes near chico, california... and my search led me to you. i'm hoping you can give me some insight as to its former use and date. it doesn't look like a hammer stone because the carved indentation is around the long portion of the stone, not the short direction. it is a red-brown oval stone, porous/volcanic? measuring 2 inches in length by 1.5 in width. i would love any insight you have, at your leisure... no rush, i've waited 25 years before pursuing! thank you, janel

Answer
Hi Janel,

This appears to be volcanic in nature.  It is probably not very heavy but that is also not uncommon for this.  It would have been used in one of two ways.  

1) as a bolo.  A bolo was a hunting method using 3 such stones on cords (wrapped along the long axis of the stone).  The three cords (with their stones) would have been spun over head and then thrown at the quarry being hunted.  Generally fowl or small animals.  The stones and cord would have wrapped around the animal and effectively stopped it in its tracks.  Bolo stones tend to be a little heavier then what would be expected for the size of stone.  

2) as a net weight.  A net would have had several of these tied to the outter edge of the net.   The net would have been held in the middle and then thrown in a long underhand toss which would have opened the net in the air.  Any animal or fowl under the net as it fell, would be t rapped by the mesh of the net.  These were most often used for catching water fowl in the water or while feeding on land.  The finer the mesh the smaller the animal.  The nets were round and could be as much as 10 to 15 feet across.

These were used by peoples living in CA from about 2000 years ago until the Spanish arrived and perhaps after.  The age of the tool is hard to determine.
    Questioner's Rating
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    Commentralph, THANK YOU!!! so very much for the timely and detailed answer to the question that has held my curiousity for 25 years. the two suggestions for use of the hunting stone are perfect explanations. you are an expert and it is so wonderful of you to share your time and expertise in this manner. all the best to you, janel


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Ralph Salier

Expertise

Archaeologist for the last 30 years. Norh American generalist and Hopwell culture/Red Ocher culture specifically. Lithics Expert and Ground Stone tools.

Experience


Past/Present clients
Numerous museums in US and Canada. Several University Anthropology Departments.

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