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throne” in the political life of the Iroquois. It has even induced 
some writers to call their system of government a true matriarchate, 
i.e. a state that was ruled by women. There is no doubt that a few 
elderly women did exercise considerable power and gain high social 
73465 
The wanipinn cirele with its fifty jiendfiiit strings, one for each sacliein, that was 
entrusted to the IMoitawk nation at the foundation ttf the Confederacy of tlie Five 
Nations. Tlje X-ray photograidi of some of tiie heads reveal.s liow they were 
drilled from hotli eiuls. ( Thoto hif Xiitioiial Miisciiiii of (Ui iiitthi .) 
