396 



DRILLING IN STONE WITHOUT METAL 



In Nortli America the grooved tomaliawk Avas, anterior to the occupation by 

 Europeans, the prevailing- implement of the axe-shape ;* but pierced articles of 

 this class also have been found, thouo-h not very frequently. Several are 

 figured on page 218 of the " Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," by 

 Squicr and Davis. The material of most of those which I have seen is a rather 

 soft stone of a greenish color, with darker veins or spots, capable of a fine polish. 

 These perforated axes are mostly small, but very symmetrically shaped and highly 

 finished. They were most probably worn on handles as badges of distinction by the 

 superiors,f a supposition which gains strength from the fact that tlieir material ren- 

 ders them unfit for real use. I know by experience that they occur from the Missis- 

 sippi to the Atlantic coast. The peculiar stone of which they consist was also used 

 for other objects, (the so-called gorgets, amulets, &c.,) and may have been an article 

 of trade. The shaft-holes of these hatchet-like implements are exceedingly regular, 

 and the annular stride can often plainly be distinguished. They were doubtless 

 produced by means of hollow drills, as will be seen hereafter. In addition to 

 the perforated Indian axes just mentioned, there occur others, which are remarkable 

 for being only pierced to a cei'tain depth. It is true, I have not seen these latter 

 very frequently, but in sufficient number to become convinced that the shaft- 

 holes were purposely left in an unfinished condition. Their material is not the 

 soft stone already referred to, but a harder substance, usually some kind of green- 

 stone. They always present pretty much the same shape. The annexed half- 

 size sketch (Fig. 7, upper and side view) shows the outline of one of these imple- 



Fig. 7. 



ments, which was found in western Massachusetts, and is now in the possession 

 of Dr. Davis, of New York. The core at the bottom of the shaft-hole, which 

 is indicated by dots, affords an indubitable proof that a holhnv drill was employed. 

 To render this implement serviceable for use, or even for show, a handle was 

 driven as far as possible into the shaft-hole, and probably more firmly bound to 



*SomG ethnological writers, McCuUoh and Schoolcraft, for instance, consider these 

 Stone axes as tools, and not as weapons ; whereas it is most probable that they served boib 

 purposes, as occasion required. Men who were confined to the use of stone implements 

 cannot be expected to have been very choice in their applications. A stone tomahawk, 

 firmly attached to a withe, presented a very efficient battle-axe, Mr. Catlin gives, on plate 114 

 (vol. 2 ) of his well-known work, the portrait of Mens6nseah (the Left Hand,) a Piankeshaw 

 warrior, whom he represents with a helved stone tomahawk in his hand. Would this brave 

 have allowed the artist to paint him thus accoutred, if he had not regarded his stone axe as 

 a weapon '! An Indian warrior, in his contempt for labor, certainly spurns the idea of being 

 portrayed witli a tool in his hand. 



t Many of the perforated iHiplements of Europe are supposed to have been destined for tho 

 same purpose. 



