Pap. N^o^' 2^5"/" JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR BASIN — ^MILLER 87 



forming a gentle curve, while the cutting edge has been given addi- 

 tional chipping which results in a distinct beveled edge. Only a 

 portion of the adjoining edges received secondary retouching. On 

 the reverse face, only about half of the surface was treated to bring 

 the original flake into the shape desired. The rest of the surface shows 

 the original flake scar. This implement is lenticular in shape and in 

 cross section and is one of the better made of the small implements. 

 It measures 90 mm. in length, 39 mm. in width, and 15 mm. in maxi- 

 mum thickness. 



Stone discoidals are notable for their scarcity. One fine example, 

 measuring 66 mm. in diameter and forming almost a true circle, was 

 recovered from 44Mc66. It measures 47 mm. through its thickest 

 section, and both the lateral sides and the top and bottom sections 

 are slightly convex with no sharp junctures where these sections meet. 

 All surfaces have been carefully pecked into shape, probably in prep- 

 aration for being ground and smoothed. Near the top of the side 

 there is a small chip missing, which occurred long before the object 

 was found by the survey. 



It is not the purpose of this paper to enter into the details as to 

 the probable use of the sling among the early aboriginal settlers of 

 this part of Virginia, but it is desirable to indicate its possible use 

 among the people of the early groups. 



Two different types of slings have been in use since early times, viz, 

 stick slings and ribbon or strap slings. A stick sling consists of a 

 stick or rod split for a short distance down one end forming a cleft 

 into which is inserted a sling stone. The elasticity of the two halves 

 of the stick holds the sling stone in position until the proper moment 

 for its release. The ribbon or strap sling consists of a central recep- 

 tacle for the stone with strings or straps on either side. Probably the 

 oldest ribbon sling yet discovered came from the late settlement of 

 Cortaillod in Europe and consists of a neatly plaited or knitted flax 

 cup or strap of the sling, together with a portion of a flax cord still 

 attached. 



Literature mentions that a few of the Indians, at the time of the 

 arrival of the first wliite man, made use of slings. Cabeza de Vaca and 

 his companions of the Narvaez expedition, wliile passing along the 

 Gulf coast near Pensacola and Mobile Bay, were attacked by Indians 

 carrying both slings and darts. Narvaez was wounded in the face 

 with a thrown stone, presumably from a sling. 



The only other reference to a sling that has been brought to my attention 

 is by Hawkins, who cites the case of an unintentional murder committed by a 

 Creek boy upon his companion when they were out "playing and slinging stones. 

 One of them let slip his sling, the stone flew back and killed his companion" 

 (Hawkins, 1848, p. 342). This happened, however, toward the close of the 

 eighteenth century, and the sling used might have been of white origin. [Swan- 

 ton, 1946, p. 587.] 



