The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 25, 2024
Birdstone
1500–1000 BCE
Overall: 13.5 cm (5 5/16 in.)
Private Collection 1.2018
Location: not on view
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.- {{cite web|title=Birdstone|url=false|author=|year=1500–1000 BCE|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1.2018