HAWKES AND LINTON A PRE-LENAPE SITE IN NEW JERSEY 71 



ends by nibbing with a sharp point, or with a thong and sand. 

 We know from unfinished specimens found on other sites that 

 the boring was not begun until the shaping was finished. 



In regard to the use of the bannerstones, at this site 

 at least, the evidence seems conclusive that they were hafted. 

 In seven specimens the edge of the bore had been broken 

 out. In five the break is at the bottom, and in one at both 

 top and bottom. In the only specimen where the break is 

 at the top alone, it marks the larger end of the bore, which 

 tapers rapidly from top to bottom. This breakage is such as 

 would result from driving into the bore a shaft somewhat 

 too large for it. A similar condition is found in some of the 

 beautiful quartz specimens from the Mississippi Valley, in 

 which the centrum has been broken out on one side for the whole 

 or part of its length, while the other side and the wings remain 

 uninjured. 



The soft material from which the bannerstones were 

 made, and the perfect condition in which many of this series 

 were found, suggests that they were never subjected to the 

 rough usage of ordinary implements. It has long been taken 

 for granted that they had some religious significance, but the 

 particular use to which they were put remains an enigma. 

 It seems most probable that they were mounted on the end 

 of a staff and used as religious insignia. They may also 

 represent the double-bladed axe, as a ceremonial weapon. 



MEASUREMENT OF BANNERSTONES 



(All measurements of banner stones are in centimeters) 



