PHILLIPS ACADEMY, ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY BULLETIN VI Hematite Implements of the United States Together with Chemical Analysis of Various Hematites By WARREN K. MOOREHEAD, Curator PRICE 50 CENTS (POSTPAID) ANDOVER, MASS. THE ANDOVER PRESS 1912 PHILLIPS ACADEMY, ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY BULLETIN VI Hematite Implements of the United States r Together with Chemical Analysis of Various Hematites By WARREN K. MOOREHEAD, Curator . \ PRICE 50 CENTS (POSTPAID) ''.< AftDOVER, MASS. THE ANDOVER PRESS 1912 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ACKNOWLEDGMENT 9 CiENEKAL ( )i:SKKY. \TIONS ON THE HEMATITE AREA . . II I IK.MATITK IN THE PALAEOLITHIC AGE .... 17 Tin-: CLASSIFICATION OF HEMATITES 18 TAHLE SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF HEMATITES IN THE A. E. DOUGLASS COLLECTION 21 THE OUTLINE OF TYPES 23 OBSERVATIONS OF OTHERS UPON HEMATITE . . 27 DR. WHELPLEY'S COLLECTION AND STUDY . . . 37 MR. DOUGLASS' REFERENCE TO HEMATITE ... 43 CHARACTER OF THE IRON ORE 51 GENERAL REPORT AS TO ANALYSIS 51 THE SOURCES OF HEMATITE 57 TRACES OF ABORIGI-NAL OPERATIONS IN AN IRON MINE NEAR LESLIE, Mo., BY W. H. HOLMES 59 A STUDY OF THE OBJECTS 67 THE CELTS 71 THE PLUMMET AND ALLIED FORMS .... 75 CONES AND HEMISPHERES ...... 77 TABLE SHOWING HEMATITES IN ANDOVER COLLECTION . 78 ORNAMENTS AND UNKNOWN FORMS .... 80 DlSCOIDALS OR BlCAVES 83 r. \IOUE FORMS IN HEMATITE 85 COMPARISON OF COPPER AND HEMATITE .... 87 CONCLUSIONS AS TO HEMATITES 89 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REFERENCES TO HEMATITES . . 95 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE FKJ. 1. The Hematite Area of the United States. Frontispiece " 2. Outlines of the Hematite Types. lla " 3. Group of Hematite Celts. 12 " 4. Typical Hematites. 15 " 5. Grooved Axes from Missouri. 16 " 6. Photogravure of Hematite Axes, F. P. Graves Collection. 18a " 7. Various Pieces of Hematite. 19 " 8. Hematites from the Andover Collection. 20 " 9. Missouri Hematite Objects. 22 " 10. Irregular Forms. 24 "11. Peculiar Hematite Forms. 26 " 12. More Irregular Forms. 28 " 13. Hematite Plummets from Ohio. 31 " 14. General View of the Iron Mine near Leslie, Missouri. 32 ' 15. View of the Mine Wall. 34 " 16. Discoveries of Workmen on the Outer Margin of the Mine. 36 " 17. Section showing how Galleries penetrate the Ore Body. 38 " 18. Face of the Ore Body. 41 " 19. Heap of Stone Sledge Heads. 42 " 20. Stone Sledge Heads, Hammers, and Rude Pick. 44 "21. Sketches of the Rudely Shaped Mining Implements. 46 " 22. Hematite Axes, Andover Collection. 48 "23. Two Grooved Axes. Mr. Braun's Collection. 49 " 24. Peculiar Notched Hematite Object. 50 " 25. A Beautiful Hematite Axe. H. M. Whelpey. 52 " 26. Hematite Bars. " 54 " 27. The Smallest Hematite Axe known. " 54 " 28. Hematite Cones. " 56 u 29. Hematite Cones. " 58 " 30. Hematite Plummets. H. M. Whelpley Collection. 61 u 31. Hematite Plummets. Andover Collection. 62 " 32. Rare Type of Perforated Plummet. H. M. Whelpley 65 " 33. Two Rare Perforated Plummets. " 65 " 34. Crude Piece of Hard Black Missouri Hematite. " 66 " 35. Crude Hematite. " 68 " 36. Unfinished Hematite Plummets. " 70 " 37. Rare Chipped Hematite Discs of Hard Black Hematite. " 73 " 38. Hematite Axes. Showing stages in manufacture. " 74 " 39. Very Rare Hematite Roller Pestles. " 76 ' 40. Hematite Bell Pestle. " 79 " 41. Hematite Ornament. " 81 " 42. Bicaves and Decorated Objects. u 82 " 43. Rare Hematite Axe. 84 " 44. Rare Hematite Ceremonials. " 86 " 45. Rare Hematite Pendants. " 88 PAGE Fir,. 46. Hematite Indian Artifacts sKbwing chemical change in composition. H. M. Whelpley 90 " 47. Hematite Fish Effigy. " 91 " 48. Hematite Spear. " 91 " 49. Black Hematite Discoidal. " 94 " 50. Hematite Rattle. Extremely rare. " 94 " 51. Hematite Gorgets. " 96 " 52. Very Hard Reddish Brown Hematite Beads. 96 u 53. Group of Hematite Objects. Dr. W. C. Barnard. 98 " 54. Highly Polished Grooved Hematite Axe. 99 ACKNOWLEDGMENT I desire to thank several persons who have been of assistance to me in the preparation of this Report. First of all, Dr. H. M. Whelpey of St. Louis has my gratitude for his hearty cooperation. He placed at my disposal his data and collection. I am also indebted to Professor Wm. H. Holmes of the Smithsonian Institution for permission to reproduce his paper upon the Missouri paint quarry and to Dr. J. F. Snyder of Vir- ginia, Illinois, and Mr. H. M. Braun, East St. Louis, Illinois, for information. Professor Wm. C. Mills counted and classified the hematites in his exhibit, and has my thanks. The following persons replied at greater or less length to requests for data as to Hematites. I thank them all. Mr. F. P. Graves, Mr. Clarence B. Moore, Dr. George G. MacCurdy, Miss H. N. Wardle, Messrs. Luther A. Norland, Dr. W. C. Barnard, H. F. Burkett, Frank L. Grove, Dr. Charles F. Noe, John W. Wright, and others. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE HEMATITE AREA The distribution of objects of various forms of iron ore, fer- ruginous stone or hematite is general through more than half of the United States. Setting aside remote portions of the country where very few objects of stone carrying iron, or iron oxides predominate, one may roughly bound the territory in which hematites are found as follows : From Fort Worth, Texas, straight north through Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska to Omaha, north to Minneapolis, then to Duluth, east to northern Michigan, thence to Ottawa, Canada, south to Trenton, New Jersey, thence to Raleigh, North Carolina, thence to Montgomery, Alabama, and west to Fort Worth, Texas. Implements of hema- tite are occasionally reported outside of this area ; but after careful study of specimens in public institutions, correspondence with persons familiar with the types existing in their localities and the reading of numerous reports and papers, it is my opinion that the great country enclosed within the bounds referred to constitutes the so-called hematite belt. Within this territory hematites are most numerous in Missouri, southern Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. They are found in considerable numbers in Tennessee, New York, Wisconsin, and portions of Arkansas. But while that is true, the far greater number of these implements lie within a territory about the size of the state of Texas. The preponderance of these objects are not found with burials in mounds or graves, but upon the surface, and it does not follow that wherever a hematite object has been picked up there at one time existed a camp or village at that particular spot. True, implements made of this ore sometimes occur with burials of various sorts but not in sufficient number to indicate clearly the use and purpose for which some of the types of hematites were made. Wherever quantities of hematite implements finished or un- finished occur, and especially if there are other indications of human occupation such as village-site debris, it is self-evident that a village of more or less permanency occupied that site. However, it would appear that the knowledge we are to obtain 11 FIG. 3 S. 3-5. ANDOVER COLLECTION Group of hematite celts. The square, oval and pointed types. from these implements, must be through a study of them en masse. And with that end in view 1 have assembled all the observations of other writers and have done what little I could to clear the mystery. In order to compare the hematites of different colors and apparent varying hardnesses, I asked Mr. James C. Graham, head of the Department of Science, Phillips Academy, to make careful analysis of implements of several kinds, and these analyses will be found on page 51 of this report. The distribution of hematite objects seems somewhat different from those of other forms of prehistoric artifacts. The bicave or discoidal stones overlap the territory of hematites, but cover less in extent. The bird-shaped stones so common north of the Ohio river are rare in sections where hematite implements abound ; notably Missouri. A careful study of these hematites will aid us in determining the general distribution of other and different types. For I am persuaded that in the past we have given scant attention to the technical study of these and other forms of implements. Having established the various areas in which certain types occur it may be possible, some years hence, for us to arrive at conclusions. Without such study, we must regard these objects as problematical forms as we have in the past occupying case room in our exhibition halls and of no particular meaning or consequence. Beyond question, we have far too many such exhibits of types concerning which we, as yet, know little. While this pamphlet presents no final solution of the " hematite problem," surely there can be no harm in classifying these hematites and in calling attention to certain facts, although in our study we have little to aid us save the specimens themselves. Our histories, or narratives of travels among Indians are silent on the subject. Archaeologists have done no more than to mention them briefly. Therefore we must depend on an examination of types. And if we depend on archaeology alone our study is confined not only to the specimens themselves, but must of necessity be analytical in character. 13 In stating that the many narratives of travelers, the observa- tions of ethnologists and others sent among Indians, are of little or no value to us in making clear the purpose of these peculiar objects, I mean that in so far as my observation and reading ex- tends, I fail to obtain any certain light on this subject. If there are specific references to objects made of hematite in the records of early travelers in America, I stand corrected. Up to the present time we have few references at any length to these specimens. Such as one may consider of importance are presented in the bibliography on page 100 of this report. We do not need to concern ourselves with a study of hematite throughout the world. The softer grades of iron ore and the oxides were used by primitive man pretty generally, it it is safe to assume. That is, they furnished him with paint. Outside of the United States hematite does not seem to have been made into implements or ornaments. FIG. 4. TYPICAL HEMATITES S. 1-2 These are from the collection of Geo. Y. Hull, St. Joseph, Mo. i. Celt from mound, Andrew County, Missouri. Smooth and well made but not polished. 2.. Plumb much pitted by age, surface find. Callaway County, Mo. 3. A fine truncated cone used as a paint grinder. Top of corfe is worn and depressed from use. Surface find. Callaway Co., Mo. 4. Finely polished celt, surface find. Doniphan Co., Mo. 5. From an old grave near the village-site at Wathena, Kansas. 6. Axe with flat top and flat side, a surface find, Callaway Co., Mo. 7. From an old village site at King Hill, St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Mo. The difference between the celts is self-evident, number I and 4 being square, and 5 and 7 oval. FIG. 5. S.2-5. ANDOVER COLLECTION. Grooved axes from Missouri. The more common forms. HEMATITE IX THE PALAEOLITHIC AGE No one denies that the caverns and rock shelters of the south of France and particularly the valley of the \ ezere near Les Eyzies, where about sixty caverns occur, represent the habita- tions of the most primitive man. In fact, in the lower layers of these caverns in the epoch known as Acheulean, the implements indicate that man was but slightly in advance of the being represented by the Chelleen type found in the gravels of Abbe- ville and at St. Acheul, farther north. In the period embraced from 1860 to about 1871, Messrs. Edouard Lartet and Henry Christy made their famous explora- tions of caverns in southern France. On page 22 of Reliquiae Aquitanicae, their beautiful report, (a report, by the way, equal to anything published by either the French or the English since) they make this statement : " Various pieces of soft red hematite, covered with scratches, indicate how they scraped off a red powder which, mixed with grease, would furnish as good means of personal adornment as is employed by many Indians at the present day." When in France last summer, I visited Les Eyzies, spent over two weeks inspecting a number of the caverns and was interested to observe in the collection of Mr. Otto Hauser a number of fragments of soft hematite which palaeolithic man of thousands of years ago undoubtedly used as paint for personal adornment. Interesting as this subject is, it is not my purpose to enter upon a discussion of the widespread use of hematite as a paint among savage people in other countries. The fact remains, it must have been, quite probably, the favorite paint, as it has h right red, light red, brown, and sometimes almost yellow colors and existing in very many parts of the world it was appreciated by the earliest man, beyond question. Whether he made implements or ornaments of the heavier and harder hematite in foreign countries, as he did in America, is a question I leave to the consideration of students more familiar with the European field. In our own country the hematite was not only made use of for decorative purposes, but it served for a multitude of imple- ments and weapons and a few ornaments and game stones. 17 THE CLASSIFICATION OF HEMATITES I made a primary classification of hematites in " The Stone Age in North America," Volume II, page 301. While this is more or less correct, it is a skeleton classification and should be expanded. The Committee appointed by the Anthropological Association of America to formulate a primary classification and nomen- clature of prehistoric artifacts did not consider the hematite objects. Therefore the following classification is submitted upon my own responsibility, and I shall be very glad to have others indicate wherein it should be expanded or contracted. Apparently tools j Edged "j objects Oval form Celts ) Square form One face convex, other face beveled square form, broad edge, pointed poll Grooved < Ordinary form axes Grooved in center Oval or elongated (Slender Plummet shape -; Rounded or egg-shape ( Pear and bell shape Egg shape, flattened Cone shape ( Pointed cone ( Mound shape, top rounded Paint stones Irregular forms Apparently ornaments or problematical Tablets Bicaves Chipped discs } Pendants Effigies L Winged and perforated Projectile points Spear-heads Arrow heads 18 FIG. 6. S. about 1-3 Group of nine grooved hematite axes, from eastern and central Missouri. Collection of F. P. Graves, Doe Run, Missouri. IE CI. v classification ites in " The Stone rica," Volume II, p;\ t, it is a skeleto' aid should nade a prifi c in North A more or less be expanded. The C c appointed by the Anthropological Association of America i nulate a primary classification and nomen- clature of prehistoric artifacts did not consider the hematite objects. Therefore the fol my own resp> indicate wherein it should App Oval or elongated Cone shape Paint stones Irregular forms convex, other face beveled jtare form, broad edge, pointed poll . ed j Ordinary form axes \ Grooved in center ( Slender Plummet shape Rounded i I' Egg j Pointed cone ( Mound sh : A P? a F?j?tly 8-1 Ji/odjs .2 .8 .oil i /- 4T?13B3 moil ,33X slbsm^rf b^vooig anin \o qi/oiO blemati... .nuoeaiM t nu5I soQ .aavBiO .! .1 lo nohoalloD I ^ Projectile points < Spear-heads { Arrow heads 18 FIG. 7. S. 4-5. ANDOVER COLLECTION. Various pieces of hematite, partly worked. Five from Ohio, one from West Virginia, and one from Kentucky. FIG. 8. S. 1-5. ANDOVER COLLECTION This figure illustrates three grooved axes in the lower row; an unfinished hematite implement of unknown pur- pose and a hematite nodule above. Hematite axes are frequently found in Missouri, but seem rare elsewhere in the country. The groove may entirely encircle them, or be faintly indicated on the back. But usually they are grooved entirely around. The one in the lower left-hand corner has a broad, sharp, cutting edge. Natu- rally, because of its hardness, hematite made excellent axes. They retained their edges longer and more nearly approached the modern iron axe than any other aboriginal tool. z 1^ c/^ LiJ H s uj H i y Uu H en D < CQ J o z O co a S9JB1S Xq ioj '-M'NMt Oit----Ht'C:'*'M<-l W rt eo 1 W 1 luepuaj psdeijg .' >'-',| 1 1 1 < T ( TH 1 < CO ^ 1 1 1111 5 SJ.->i|situn<,[ [EDuat|dstiur>n Tg c" 3^--coco>o co ooo "*^i (JO ^^ i- t- T-H s lino, [ A\>.uy CO r-H - iJ3>(in$ ^ SJ9U1 O O CO . V " u s-i p> .~ r? v ~ . 2 1 ^ o 'E-^ 3 o '&! '5 e8 oc^p^^flc.2^-So^fe ^.-^ajS'-j^^i^Q c ^2 o Totals FIG. 9. S. 1-2 Hematite objects from the collection of Dr. Henry M. Whelpley, St. Louis, Missouri. Hematite plummet to the left, grooved axe in the center, a hematite cone to the right, a celt in the lower right- hand corner. All Missouri surface finds. THE OUTLINES OF TYPES In Figure 2 I have shown but four divisions of hematites, the celts, grooved axes, plummets and cones. The ornamental, problematical, bicave and miscellaneous divisions are not sufficiently complete to permit us to present outlines. The irregular pieces of hematite, those used for burnishers or polishers (two of Douglass' terms) and the triangular and octagonal fragments apparently paint stones are omitted. The celts have more highly specialized edges than is observed in the stone celts. We have indicated this difference in the side view of the specimens. The edge of the average stone celt is seldom different from the tcp or poll save that it is sharp. But in the hematite celt the edge is keener, is more polished and may be beveled or slightly curved. In the axes I have omitted the double bitted axe and the axe with the flat back, or triangular axe. These are rare in hematite. The plummets and cones or hemispheres, cover the range of unknown forms in this material fairly well. There might have been added under the plummets, the egg-shaped, grooved plum- met, one side more or less flat. These are rare, but seem to constitute a type. Dr. Whelpley has about fifty of them. The various types and sub-types of the classification will be found illustrated by specimens throughout this BULLETIN as follows : CELTS Oval form, Fig. 4, No. 7, Fig. 9, lower right-hand corner. Square form, two in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 4, Nos. I and 4. One face convex, other face beveled, Fig. 3, right-hand specimen. Square form, broad edge, Fig. 3, top to left. Pointed poll, Fig. 3, second from bottom. GROOVED AXES Ordinary form, Figs. 5 and 22. Grooved in center, Fig. 43. PLUMMETS Plummet-shape, slender, Fig. 9, left-hand specimen, two in Fig. 31. 23 FIG. 10. S. 3-4. ANDOVER COLLECTION. Irregular forms all polished except the grooved one, and that one above No. 13207. All from Ohio except No. 16119, which was found in Indiana. Plummet-shape, rounded, Fig. 31, center. Pear and bell shape, Fig. 13, central figure, lower row. Egg-shaped, grooved in center, Fig. 30. PAINT STONES, CONES, ETC. Paint stones, Fig. 7. Rubbing stones, Fig. 10. Projectile points, Fig. 48. Pointed cone, Fig. 28. Mound shape or hemisphere, Fig. 29, and. one in Fig. 46. ORNAMENTS OR PROULEMATICAL Ornaments and tablets, Figs. 41, 45 and 51. Bicaves, Figs. 42 and 49. Chipped discs, Fig. 37. Pendants, Figs. 32 and 33. Winged objects, Fig. 44. Perforated, Figs. 50 and 52. Effigies, Fig. 42, lower left-hand corner, Fig. 47. 25 FIG. 11. S. about 1-2. ANDOVER COLLECTION Top row mass of hematite, a peculiar axe-celt and a nodule. Lower row a ball, and an unfinished object. Three from Ohio, two from Missouri. OBSERVATIONS OF OTHERS UPON HEMATITE The longest reference to hematites is found in the " Handbook of American Indians," Volume I, page 542. It is written by Professor Holmes, and I quote it in full. " HEMATITE. An iron ore much used by the native tribes for implements, ornaments, and small objects of problematical use. It is found in many parts of the country and in great abundance in the Iron Mountain district of Missouri and in the Marquette region of Michigan. It occurs as a massive ore, as nodules, and in other forms, distributed through rocks of various classes, and is usually dark in color, showing various shades of gray, brown, and red. The specular varieties are generally rather gray, and have a metallic luster. The red, earthy varieties, when compact, are known as red chalk, and when much disintegrated and pul- verulent, as red ocher. They were, and are, much used as paint by the aborigines, and small quantities, either in lumps or as powder, are commonly found in ancient graves, placed there for personal embellishment in the future existence. The highly siliceous varieties are often very hard, heavy, and tough, and make excellent implements. They were used especially in the manufacture of celts, axes, scrapers, etc., and for the rudely shaped hammers and sledges that served in mining work, as in the iron mines at Leslie, Mo. Many of the celts and celt-like implements are quite small, and in some cases probably served as amulets. Grooved axes of this material are of somewhat rare occurrence, but objects of problematical use, such as cones, hemispheres, and plummets, are common, and on account of their high finish, richness of color, and luster, are much prized by collectors. Hematite objects are found in mounds and on dwelling sites in the middle Mississippi valley region in the Ohio valley, and extending into E. Kentucky and Tennessee to W. North Carolina, and to a limited extent in the South, in the Pueblo country, and on the Pacific coast. A small, well-shaped figure of this material representing a bird, and neatly inlaid with turquois and white shell, is among the collections obtained by Pepper from the Pueblo Bonito ruin, New Mexico. Hematite is 27 V FIG. 12. S. 3-5 Eight hematite objects from the Andover collection. In the upper right-hand corner is a hematite pebble, polished on two of its angles and rough on the other side. This illustrates how hematite was cut and ground until reduced to 'the desired shape. Flint scratchings are still plain on the surface. Just beneath it is a triangular bit of hematite. The flat surface may be due to grinding in order to obtain paint. Beneath are two hematite cones. The four specimens to the left represent irregular pieces. not always readily distinguishable from limonite (which is generally yellowish or brownish in tint), and from some other forms of iron ore." During the preparation of this BULLETIN I addressed numerous letters to museum Curators, persons who had carried on more or less extensive explorations and to students of American archaeology. Their replies indicated that the area assigned is ample to include practically all the true hematites in the United States. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. ist, 1911 ' I have met with so few hematites that it might be said with truth that I have found practically none." CLARENCE B. MOORE. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 3rd, 1911. " At Air. Moore's request, I have looked over his collection, and find, besides the two plummet-shaped pendants of hematite one of which is dark red and the other steel-grey -- which he has referred to in his letter as having been plowed up near Brodnax, Morehouse Parish, La., two other pendants of the same general type, one steel grey from the Indian cemetery on the Keno place, Morehouse Parish, La., and one possibly unfinished since there is no groove nor perforation for suspension -- found with Burial No. 4 in the Indian cemetery on the Ward place, More- house Parish, La. This last is of a very dark grey color, almost black. Aside from these four, I have found no objects of hematite in the Clarence B. Moore collection." H. NEWELL WARDLE. EAST ST. Louis, ILLINOIS, Dec. 27th, 1911. " Some time ago I received from you a circular letter, entitled ' Information desired regarding Hematites,' and in reply will endeavor to convey to you my personal observation regarding same. First of all, I do not believe that an accurate estimate could be made as to which particular specimens of hematite predominate in this locality, say in a radius of 100 or 150 miles. My personal 29 observation is as follows : grooved axes seem to predominate in Missouri, or west of the Mississippi River, with the exception of St. Charles County, at which place I feel the plummets predomin- ate, with axes next, and celts occurring sparingly. In Illinois the order of things seems to be reversed, but no hard and fast rule can be followed. As a general proposition the Illinois hematites are better worked, but it is singular to note the difference in the frequency with which certain objects occur, in different localities, although not more than 20 or 30 miles distant from one another. In my immediate locality, say a radius of 20 miles, celts absolutely predominate, all finely polished; next comes axes, also of fine workmanship ; next in order are plummets, usually good, and often very fine. The grooved plummets are the commonest, perforated plummets being scarcer, but if found at all, are very finely pol- ished. Cones are scarce, and I only recall five having been found in this immediate neighborhood. About 30 miles north, in Jersey County and Calhoun County, and more especially along the Illinois River, a different condition exists with reference to frequency with which certain hematite objects are found. In the latter local- ity plummets predominate (50 to i) celts are few, and grooved axes scarce, but more cones are found than in any other locality in Illinois. I want to qualify my statement, however, with refer- ence to cones somewhat. Cones are very scarce in Illinois, hence I do not want to leave the impression that Jersey County, or the Illinois River country is full of cones, but to the contrary they are highly prized by collectors, and out of about fifty collections two contain cones. A few very fine polished hematite discoidals have been found in Jersey and Calhoun Counties, but these are very very scarce. Hematites become scarcer as one goes south in Illinois. My collection of hematites consists of the following specimens : 60 grooved axes (one of which has been re-worked). 41 celts. 92 plummets (of which 9 are perforated and 3 are unfinished). 7 cones. 2 gorgets (2 perforations each) know of no others in this locality. Of course, I have only enumerated local specimens, from a 30 FIG. 13. S. 4-5. HEMATITE PLUMMETS FROM OHIO. Andover Collection. Three are grooved two in the center. No. 14446 has a pecked (not cut) groove. No. 14453 is not grooved. No. 14017 is an un- finished form groove just begun. o .Q u IH O ON O. 4; C .rt ^_i c o . -G u ^ C rt u c <" C/2 -3 >J3 o c o o \-< H- ( bfl a radius of about 100 miles, and will leave you to draw your own conclusions. For the present I am unable to say anything further upon the above subject, except that hematites are not found interred with bodies in this locality, but are invariably surface finds in the fields and creeks. We find many of the variegated colors of hematite, with black predominating, and the steel-gray the scarcest of them." H. M. BRAUN. VIRGINIA, CASS Co., ILLINOIS. ' Indian implements of hematite are very rare here, near the junction of the Illinois and Sangamon rivers, a region long in- habited by prehistoric aborigines. Some years ago a fine grooved axe of hematite, six inches long by three inches wide and smoothly polished, was found on the Sangamon bluffs a few miles north of this place, the only one of that class discovered, so far as I know, in a radius of many miles. The most numerous objects of hema- tite in central Illinois are the so-called plummets, several of them having been unearthed in this and adjoining counties from mounds and old camp sites. In my collection are perhaps a dozen small polished celts, or chisels, of hematite, and numerous hematite paint rocks, and a few small hematite cones. A very rare specimen I have is a perfect arrow point of hematite, well barbed and polished, i 1-2 inches in length, found in Brown County, in a mound on the Illinois river bluffs. Another unique object, I recovered in the same locality, is a thin flat 'tablet' of the same mineral, 2 1-2 inches in length and 11-2 inches in width, highly polished, with a per- foration about an inch from each end. " All the hematites I have seen collected in this part of Illinois are of the dark iron ore evidently obtained at Iron Moun- tain in southeastern Missouri. The paint rocks I have mentioned are probably tfie same that you designate as " rubbing stones." In none of our local collections have I seen any unfinished hematites; from which it may be inferred that they were imported as finished products, and not made here. I have heard of no deposits, or caches, of hematites in this part of our state; and very rarely, if ever, are fragments of hematite found here among 33 rt V-i -*-i bo ^ OS b/) DR. WHELPLEY'S COLLECTION AND STUDY The largest collection of hematite artifacts in the United States and quite likely in the world, is that owned by Doctor H. M. Whelpley of St. Louis, Missouri. Doctor Whelpley has made a special study of these interesting artifacts for twenty-five or thirty years and it may be no exaggeration to state that he is better posted with reference to their distribution, the character of implements and the conditions under which they are found than any person in this country. Certain it is that in all corre- spondence our Department has had with reference to hematites, no institution or individual has been able to give us the amount of detailed and valuable information equal to that submitted by Doctor Whelpley, and I am glad to here record my obligation to him. The correspondence with Doctor Whelpley extended from November 2Oth, 1911, through March, 1912. The Doctor sent me a large number of photographs of his specimens together with some fragments for chemical analysis. Omitting the dates of communications and selecting the essential facts and observa- tions obtained by Doctor Whelpley the past twenty years, I sum up his conclusions as follows : In the region lying about St. Louis, and especially towards the west and northwest, the hematite is not only numerous but all colors are present from light to dark red and steel gray. These objects with few exceptions are found on the surface through cultivation of the soil. Occasionally they are washed out by the action of streams. He has secured paint stones from graves, and heard of a hematite plumb-bob being found in a grave, but the details are not available. Hematite pieces have been found around the mounds but none with burials in the mounds so far as he is informed. The frequency with which these objects occur is indicated by the table submitted by Doctor Whelpley, printed on page 40 and arranged according to preponderance. Hematite paint from Indian graves and village sites as well as crude hematite from workshops is. represented by numerous fine specimens. His collection of about 1700 specimens was found 37 jlft--^ *"' ^K "^? * -a o ho G rt bo bo c 4-J rt CJ within a radius of 150 miles of St. Louis. He has seven hematite celts said to have been found in a cache, but he is not able to verify the report. " In the district west of St. Louis, extending to the Missouri River, hematite axes predominate. Plumb-bobs are relatively scarce. A few celts are found. Across the river in Illinois, very few hematite axes are found, while celts are comparatively plenti- ful and cones almost as numerous as plumb-bobs." " As far as I have been able to observe or learn, the Indians neved mined hematite for use in making artifacts. They picked up pieces of suitable size and shape and worked each piece down to a single article for use. I do not think the Indians very often broke large pieces of hematite and made several things out of the small pieces. They usually found a piece of the right size to work it down into the desired object. I have numerous pieces from the crude nodule to the finished objects, showing the stages in making grooved axes, plummets, cones, celts, etc. " The so-called hematite mine at Leslie, Franklin Co., Missouri, which was discovered a few years ago, proved to be a place where the Indians mined paint but not hematite. It is true that the Indians broke off some of the hematite in this mine, but that was in order to make room for work in quarrying the paint. ' The pieces of hematite found on the surface in Missouri, no doubt, were as easily worked as any that could be quarried or mined." Doctor Whelpley explains how that he was able to make so large a collection of these implements by the fact that his medical and pharmaceutical friends have been very kind in assisting him in securing specimens and information. The percentage of ornaments or problematical forms in his collection would seem abnormally high in any other exhibit. Hundreds of common forms of celts, plummets and other objects offered him he did not purchase, his series in these forms being practically complete. He states that there are a number of hematite objects offered for sale, of recent manufacture, with intent to defraud. Hema- tites of recent manufacture appear fresh, are not patinated, and after much experience it is easy to distinguish them. I have not 39 compiled a complete table of his collection for the reason that he did not secure all the specimens offered him. Dr. Whelpley has a special collection for study and comparison of over one hundred fraudulent or mutilated specimens. Axes 487 Ceremonials Celts 426 Bars Plummets 311 Pestles Paint Stones 206 Discs Cones --147 Tubes Gorgets Bicaves Balls Pipes Mauls Spears Pendants 40 bo . '5 OJ - ba G OJ O, -M C3 ^_> i) ft Ooj L: u , ^ Q -g ^'O ^: G 3^ -<< O Q en UJ H H u.\\ou>fun pUB U3 -jjoaq 'paqstuyiiQ S3ABDig SPUOf) S3UOJS S3UOJS Sui J3JU3D Ut paqsiugufj U aaenbg JBAQ V B c/5 00 (M CO CO (M CO CO OS - .^ rt C P OS CO (M 00 GO 00 CM (M -P University of Torooto P CO 02 T3 ' Library GO 0) \' -P v* CD -H yk ^^^^_^ ^ c3 ^C *\t^ JID jy 0) . V^ jy -P (4 DO NOT /y $-1 O ^ // O CO M O CO ^ REMOVE ' 1 o q tiO c M C3 H 0) M 1 THE H SB \ a s* CARD 2 * H \ JH 0) cd -P jf^ *rH ' \ FROM \ ^ cd Yy~4 VI TiJ S cd Nv^ THIS ^