Artwork Page for Birdstone

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Details / Information for Birdstone

Birdstone

1500–1000 BCE

Native North America, Northeastern Woodlands artists, Great Lakes, Michigan?

Medium
Stone (red-brown quartz)
Measurements
Overall: 13.5 cm (5 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Private Collection 1.2018
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
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Description

Archaic-period birdstones, distributed widely in the Great Lakes region, are thought to be weights that were lashed to spear-throwers to improve control of the weapons. Given their artistry and craftsmanship, they may also have been emblems of prestige, talismans that heightened a hunter’s luck, or clan symbols. This example is said to have been found in modern-day Michigan.
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Birdstone

1500–1000 BCE

Native North America, Northeastern Woodlands artists, Great Lakes, Michigan?

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