Quality Artifacts and Fossils From the Southeast
~ Very Uncommon Find: Bone Banner & Handle ~
~ Very Uncommon Find: Bone Banner & Handle ~
Length: 2 3/4"
Grade: 9
Description: An expression "as rare as hens teeth" seems appropriate here with these 2 Bone artifacts that were found together. The longer 4 1/8" piece (pictured first) is a handle, drilled all the way thru and starting at the narrow end it has a 1/4" diameter hole that widens to a diameter of 3/4" at the opposite end. The bone has been modified and ground smooth over it's entire surface including both ends. This handle would have accepted a wooden shaft that would basically been the launcher stick for the Atlatl. Positioned somewhere along the upper portion of this launcher would have been this accompaning 2 3/4" long 'Hourglass' styled Deer Antler Bone Banner. Again this piece was polished over the entire surface. The bone is drilled thru with a 1/2" diameter hole. Interestingly on one end, the bone was drilled a 2nd time just parallel with the main bore hole with a 1/4" diameter hole to a depth of just 1". This drill hole is offset and angled to intersect the main drill hole. Why? This was an ingenious design feature that allowed for a clever multi positional 'Tensioner'. (See the last picture) This is where a wooden peg could have been inserted to press against the wooden launching stick to create a tight fit and keep the launcher stick in place. The age: the layer and site from which it came out as well as the general design characteristics suggest a Middle to Later Archaic age 3,500 to 5,000 years BP.
Provenance: Found on private property with permission. From north Alabama Lauderdale Co.