What Is an Indian Bannerstone?

Description

• Bannerstones are carved from stone and vary in size, but they would likely fit in your open hand and perhaps smaller. They are balanced with each side being carved in a formation of wing-like projections that may be flat and rounded, square, triangular or any number of shapes. There is a vertical hole drilled down the length in the center. It appears that the bannerstone can be slipped on a shaft or strung on a cord.

Use

• It is believed by archaeologists that the bannerstone is used as a weight on an ancient spear-throwing device called an atlatl. The atlatl is a long cupped shaft, onto which the spear is set and butted against a cup. The atlatl is held by a strap and hurled forward, expelling the spear. The bannerstone increases the weight on the shaft of the atlatl, which increases the centrifugal force with which the spear is hurled.

Materials

• Bannerstones were made from various stone from the region and from stone that was imported through trade. Banded slate, found in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and surrounding regions, is the most common stone used to make bannerstones.

Artistry

• Bannerstones were sometimes very plain and utilitarian and sometimes decorative and artistically carved. They were often traded and were a sign of prestige. Artisans used the patterns in the stone as a design element when carving bannerstones. Some archaeologists believe that bannerstones were sometimes used as ceremonial pieces and may have had religious significance.