AN ERIE INDIAN VILLAGE AND BURIAL SITE 545 



The antler objects from the site inckide flaking tools, punchhke 

 implements, sometimes called pitching tools, chisellike implements, 

 picklike prongs of antler, arrowheads, hoes or digging implements 

 and I antler ball. There were several pieces of antler showing 

 marks of cutting and other working. The large trowellike object 

 shown in plate 35, figure i, is probably an antler hoe or spade. The 

 edge is worn and smoothed, evidently by use in the earth. Two 

 other hoes are shown in the same plate [fig. 5, 10]. The larger hoe 

 seems to have had one side cut as if by a metal knife. The '' hoes " 

 are all of moose horn. A small chisellike implement is shown in 

 plate 35, fi-gure 2. It is v/orn and polished and the cutting edge is 

 sharp for such material. A larger chisel or pick is shown in plate 

 35, figure 4, and seems to have the handle whittled into shape by a 

 metal knife. Punchlike objects were fairly common and seem to 

 have been parts of an arrow maker's outfit. Indeed they are com- 

 monly called " pitching tools " and experiment shows that they are 

 useful in making the long body chips which must sometimes be 

 made to properly form a flint blade. These tools are of two types. 

 Plate 35, figure 9, shows one which has a head. Two antler arrow- 

 heads were found. Plate 35, figure 8, represents the better one. 

 It is well shaped and polished but the hole for the shaft is not deep. 

 One flattened ball was found and is similar to the game balls used 

 now by the Iroquois and called " deer horn buttons " {see pi. 35, 

 fig. 6]. Chunks or pieces of worked antler were frequent. One 

 shown in figure 17 is that of an antler base from which the upper 

 part has been cut with a metal knife. 



Shell articles 

 Among the interesting classes of articles are those of shell. The 

 very interesting necklace of shell shown in plate 14 is the best 

 specimen of art in shell found at the Ripley site. It came from 

 grave XCIII, pit 133, and was found about the neck of the skeleton. 

 The better preserved gorget was found in the bend formed by the 

 curve of the front portion of the lower jaw. The necklace is made 

 of discoidal shell beads beautifully made. They are quite uniform 

 and the perforations are perfectly centered. In specimens which 

 have not weathered the edges are even. The two gorgets and the 

 long pendant from this necklace are shown in plate 36 as is a series 

 of discoidal beads illustrating the stages of disintegration. A per- 

 forated Unio shell was found in pit 46 and a shell bead of the 

 older form came from pit 3 {see pi. 36, fig. 5]. 



