: ERICA MES = x es % 4 RY HOL ILLIAM HEN OL0Gy) x f AL REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF BDHN ) ANNU Ve we Rone Spt a5 Fey SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION——BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. ART IN SHELL/ OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS, BY WILLIAM H. HOLMES. 179 re ; Yar Wars ey wit BSO NiARD™ As wy p3 “BRA RIES_- CONTENTS. Introductory ------ ---- 22 < osed o oon sone nr one ans wane owns oa wane wan ewn enemas Implements and utensils .........-----------------------++-----+-----+------ Unworked shells ..------ BGO C60.) HORE Oe CBO OOS BS SECO HRC OOd HOBBES HERE RS eae (CGMS), 3 » § hg 4 /@ al A . - ) a 7 Pat ee . . } 4 “] rs = Re i: a ILLUSTRATIONS. . Page. Prats XXI.—Natural shells as vessels......-........----..-.------.--------- 192 KONG — Vessels arninerallyisnapedy ee saee seme a= seer aeeie= alee eafel == 194 XXIII.—Vessel with engraved surface.........-.....--..=-------------- 196 OC eas) eases geser6 ssédhe soccer a SsEEcOSdeSnEas Sabo cosnce pEEdorEe 200 DO. YE OIE Soacind ace Soe SS SES ood eSr See Coen Se donee coaeauseressodeeco 204 XXVI.—Cutting and scraping implements-..-.--...---.----------------- e206 XXVII.—Weapons, agricultural implements, etc...--. -.-.--------------- 208 XV — bushing appliances) 22. - <= anne once nn oor on mee wae n= ~ eee 210 XXIX.—Manufacture of pins and beads .... -.-...-.-.. .-...----.------ 214 SXOXOXG — Pn Sop Adi ub ChCOAS LOM Sere seeasiata late fein e oie tel= ale isin oteleteel nme == 216 KONG — Pins, Paciic COASHAORMS es Ss t ! Pe PRINS DRIED LUCE TTT OPERTE ETP | ERIS ESTED ERE TOUR OMIRE NRT SSS EEE TREC CTT 139410132099 240 NAMA NAOT OTANI 2 3 313 NARA AO LN 45 3201S 2A NANO TN AA AA CMT TAAABON TTT 1S ea Bd NASANSA ANS TASINANA SA CSI APN A AAT 313 2 A 8 3 FUN EPEMIE IRE Ed are = TTP PAPAL EER EMR IENCILP LED RURUNTSIVETFTIDINIEEFECIN ICV EEINIL ERR IFLE I NE OCH a AO TEI ETRE 5 EOE TET ISVEPTICCISE PRED ST TEESE EN LE PEPE ET REE EEUU REERE YIU 1A90992 NNT A ~~ FIFTIES ETE FF SIT IVP EE TERMePUPIPeDeSCIPIN EIRENE TUN ST Maaat4s ANON MAS aa NAANASM va = CEBIPETEMIET ETE ETE PIU PeRDe Tee) ee I UIEPEL PTD ICIP UTM RERPeD rec RT RL PE RTEUEY SBT ee yo _- WEIPTEUBPED STEM CPEIES MMPI ILECUCERERELUIER TD EPR EPIPPIP EER TOIRE REED SIE EE] asausasdaialay has tit a (A PRTPIPROITEGS PTE DHINY ET UPELLE EP PIES Ieee SSE VI BOTT TEPPER rie ITEP Le Tee TE CTEM IVPETR SeREEDP NOIR ER ELI TR IPRURUEIPPLEEE CEVUPEILE REPEL GUNS PLOUTEIUND BLELRUME bli — — Irie rier . a3 aaaduauadaasildas 4 { > ans LAIASUS3S0SURIAN GLANS MN AAS A9 Sy SINT VANS NAL ASM 4940 24 0A SHA SSM VES 494 SADA SASINGSAS WANN ely EEL SHETIELE TT rate PRE IR ETEEOTLIARETN ELATED FEM PIR ELAPIE TIC REIN EONS CaP eT LEEEC LN) eae dS eS SS . PTFE EI neues k PRUPRPIEROIRT EY EMER MELEE EMER EERE EMRE ERS ECO eR y | -t Tada a agate gases gatas $4440 15393 TUBULE! PROTECT ReReOe uN 9A VN NN a aT ea aA AS A083 21114 8i 0S SMM YIH SAAS aT PAE JAAR ta AS SANS ASMA LAS PANS 94 99 ENS LAS HAN AV MA TSS AS SASS ANAM VMAS SN . PFI HIPRLUPER REPRE, — LSE ELECTEIN ID PEIN IP ERED OPEL SEPM EON UAL EDDY IM EE EIT PASSA NAAT Lada AVN SS PINPPCUPOLETEE LEI ERIN PPRTERIPELERL rAS, ONONDAC THE TO r LONGIN(¢ BE LT WAMPUM BI HOLMES. } WAMPUM AND OTHER MNEMONIC SYMBOLS. 247 off without touching it with his hands, afterwards, with a stick, threw it after them,as if he threw a snake or toad out of his way.”! It is remarkable that other objects were not more frequently used for mnemonic records. We can only explain the partiality shown to wam- pum on the supposition that the idea of value was not entirely lost sight of and that importance was attached to a record which in itself merited preservation. Yet instances of the use of other objects are often met with. Parkman states that “the figures on wampum belts of * the Iroquois were for the most part simply mnemonic. So also were those carved in wooden tables, or painted on bark or skin, to preserve in memory the songs of war, hunting, or magic.”! At one of the councils at Onondaga in 1690, a treaty was pledged and recorded in wampum by all the contracting parties but the New Eng- land colonies, which sent a wooden model of a fish as a token of their adherence to the terms of the treaty. ® Hunter, speaking of the manners and customs of the Osages, states that “they use significant emblems, such as the wing of the swan and wild goose, wampum, and pipes, in overtures for peace, while arrows, war clubs, and black and red painting, are used as indications or decla- rations of war. Any article, such as a skin painted black, or the wing of a raven, represents the death of friends, and when colored or striped with red, that of enemies. Amongst the Canada Indians when peace was conceded, a reddened hatchet was buried as a symbol of the oblivion of all past hostility between the contracting parties. A mutual ex- change of neck ornaments sealed the treaty after its terms were debated and determined. But all was not yet over, for the chiefs on each side proffered and accepted presents of rare articles, such as calumets of peace, embroidered deer skins, &e. This kind of ceremonial barter be- ing terminated to their mutual satisfaction, or otherwise, the conference broke up.” ! Gumilla says thatthe Oronoco Indians ratify their treaties with sticks which they give reciprocally,® and the Araucanians, according to Molina, earry in their hands, when they conclude a peace, the branches of a tree, regarded as sacred by them, which they present to each other.° I have already enumerated-the various kinds of beads and shown the sources from which they were derived and the uses to which they were applied. I have yet to describe the manner in which they are strung or combined in strings and belts. The beads chosen as most convenient for stringing or weaving into fabrics were small cylinders from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch in diameter, and from one-quarter to one-half an inch in length. White strings or belts were sufficient for the expression of simple ideas or the 1 Heekewelder: Indian Nations, 1876, p. 110. 2Parkman: Jesuits in North America, p. Xxxiii. °Events in Indian History, Lancaster, Pa., 1841, p. 143. 4}funter: Indian Manners and Customs, p. 192. 5Gumilla: Histoire de Orinoque, Vol. III, p. 91. 6 Molina: History of Chili, Vol. I, p. 119. 248 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. association of simple facts, but the combinations of colors in patterns rendered it possible to record much more complicated affairs. In belts used for mnemonic purposes the colors were generally arranged with- out reference to the character of the facts or thoughts to be intrusted to them, but in a few cases the figures are ideographic, and are significant of the event to be memorized. Strings cannot be utilized in this way. Wampumin strings.—From Mr. Beauchamp’s notes I have compiled the following brief account of the use of strings of wampum among the modern Iroquois. Six strings of purple beads united in a cluster repre- sent the six nations. When the tribes meet the strands are arranged in a circle, which signifies that the council is opened. The Onondagas are represented by seven strings, which contain a few white beads; the Cayugas by six strands, all purple, and the Tuscaroras by seven strands, nearly all purple. The Mohawks have six strings, on which there are two purple beads to one white. These are illustrated in Fig. 2, Plate XLIV. There are four strings in the Oneida cluster; these contain two purple to one white bead. The Senecas have four strings, with two purple beads to one white. The three nations which were brothers are repre- sented by similar clusters. When a new chief is installed the address delivered on the occasion is ‘talked into” ten very long strings of white wampum. ‘Three strings, mostly white, represent the name of the new chief. Oneof these clusters is shown in Fig. 1, Plate XLIV.' When a chief dies he is mourned on ten strings of black wampum. If he has merely lost his office, six short strings are used. According to Mr. Beauchamp, possession of beads gives authority, and they are also used as credentials, or, as the Indians express it, “Chief’s wampum ail same as your letter.” Such of these strings as remain in existence are still in use among the Iroquois, and are consid- ered very precious by them, being made of antique hand-made beads. In the literature relating to our Indian tribes we find occasional ref- erence to the use of strings of wampum in ways that indicate that they were invested with certain protective and authoritative qualities, doubt- less from their association with the name of some chief, clan, or tribe. It is recorded that on one occasion Logan, the Mingo chief, saved a captive white from torture by rushing through the circle of Indians and throwing a string of wampum about the prisoner’s neck. Through the virtue of this string he was enabled to lead him away and adopt him into his family. A somewhat different use is mentioned: by Pike, to whom a Chippewa chief made a speech, during which he presented his pipe to Mr. Pike to bear to the Sioux. Attached to the pipe were seven strings of wam- pum, which signified that authority was given by seven chiefs of the Chippeway to conclude peace or make war.? Wampum belts.—In the manufacture of belts a great deal of skill and 1 From an original sketch by Mr. Beauchamp. * Pike: Travels through the Western Territories of N. A., 1805~7, p. 103, ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLI Y BUREAU OF RTHNOLOG a META CARR RAb ERE t HAE ROLNNPRMNTALER EEG oe AKANE Ne CORBA RNBE Nn a ae CT ad oe er 1 E VIORAMRATAL kt PINON ZERUOTONN' FF | EAE S&P ORIN U2 | IRAE FES OMNNMEL KE OURO 5 6 ORIN #81) EUAN 0 1 NMI 2 = OE LR La aa ae | i IOV OV VEL OUMNH WP ARLE HIE CAMINO LF NOI FS FORAYS CHEE Ce OHM Rel Fe BAOVEIAT> 6 WTAE 8. EO DRM EERS 2F) BOMLE CE Ts MOAVEE RNOED'F REE EVE MMAER PLKEE DMP 61 ¥NLE ONZE TL rt (MLSE MIEREERL URMERR MERE ELEELANE : F ERE PURAEPESEF DET SUEPERNEERIBEDP (ES HE EDFESNS EBUEAERELEL EE i ENE RECKORED PURI PRETEEN ENE RVENELEPEEE EIGN) RUKERUIPEMENRFIURREUEEEROEE UEPRERIBERST EGE RENE SAME E01 ER) BMAF F ENE EVLMME RU YEYE BROT REC A EET a ROR! 1 Hie | ONNBD RE Ne MORMBER TE: bERROOMES FIFE LT HORE EE EL ONDE ANE HE) EBON DOME REN AODE NOMENA RE! aa K FREURESTIBIRUEDEE GUERIERERS SDMNEDRLERUEE SEF ESES OPMOD) EKER! OU SS MING EY A MAILE ERE} ANON fh OTM WF AN LATE 4 AMS GE MMS ENE MONEE MDS | IDE a): wininl ¢ DOME REL OUME FE PLDs) £ Onome omens F mane Ohne BNE F Fi OH EMEREE il tit} EEE OMDE NIE A PD ONMIDM UE W\ Oe | Oy FLPMOU CE WEIR EE EPULFURDE MEE u FUEROOS REDE APUPOMAS EECUIE RE BEDE! WERE OE BE PERCY TURBRIEVERPEL PBLEUBU EVE ROK ED RE ERE ELEN BEF TENE RUBDEE RIEERIEE FLEE VAT NEELENEREUETERE PRUE VEN EPRERREPES NEN EMR Fi PEMEEE PHF FE OEB EU ELUENT RN EREBUEPE WIREFURRNED c Ce IENELIELF DEBE FEUEEEACELESAEIMUCEELFUSLUVERPELENERIEGIEGGR RUE BUGEVENEREFENELETSNRNER RBNNEER PERPOLRUERD EVER ERRENENELENTDEBRE BSPEPEAEBE RTE EF ENE UEER IF UE RCERR OEVEDE RIE RIERIRE e u HELE UE EEMPRNELE NE MELE VED RF OSE NERUREREVERR E\PERELE SHR NERDRNE EGEUEWERU EEUE IEE! BEF NEUENER ER ENVR ERNE ORD RENE Rl! RENSBERIFEDEEELEEE PREABEIEPESEE EER EERIIEE w VEEGVEGREPELELIE 2) CEU MOREL Ek! EBUE RUE HE OMINGERTER ZF DMMME NE LSELIEEL SV URONE EES FEMS <= ee Sc ry SRS = ST as OT peas THLE Ie LN TT ge ss daira mmr ese ta eee : —\) S AS. ONONDA( THE JIM BELT BELONGING TO WAMPL HOLMES. | MANUFACTURE OF WAMPUM BELTS. 249 taste have been shown. The large figured varieties were intricate in design and extremely pleasing in color. Belts of wampum beads were probably used simply as a part of the costume long before they became the vehicles of tradition, and beads were doubtless used in other parts of the costume ina similar manner. It is said that in New England they were made by the women; in later times it is probable that the whites engaged to some extent in their manufacture. Mr. Morgan gives such a good account of the details of belt making that I beg leave to quote him in full: “In making a belt no particular pattern was followed ; sometimes they are of the width of three fingers and three feet long, in other in- stances as wide as the hand and over three feet in length; sometimes they are all of one color, in others variegated, and in still others woven with the figures of men to symbolize, by their attitudes, the objects or events they were designed to commemorate. The most common width was three fingers, or the width of seven beads, the length ranging from two to six feet. In belt making, which is a simple process, eight strands or cords of bark thread are first twisted, from filaments of slip- pery elm, of the requisite length and size ; after which they are passed through a strip of deer-skin to separate them at equal distances from each other in parallel lines. A piece of splint is then sprung in the form of a bow, to which each end of the several strings is secured, and by which all of them are held in tension, like warp threads in a weaving machine. Seven beads, these making the intended width of the belt, are thenrun upon a thread by means of a needle, and are passed under the cords at right angles, so as to bring one bead lengthwise between each cord and the one next in position. The thread is then passed back again along the upper side of the cords and again through each of the beads ; so that each bead is held firmly in its place by means of two threads, one passing under and one above the cords. This process is continued until the belt reaches its intended length, when the ends of the cords are tied, the end of the belt covered and afterward trimmed with ribbons. In ancient times both the cords and the thread were of sinew.” ! In another place Mr. Morgan states that belts were also made by cov- ering one side of a deer-skin belt with beads, probably by sewing them on;? a method which is everywhere common in the use of glass beads in modern work, but is not noticed in any of the mnemonic belts now extant. It is a remarkable as well as a lamentable fact that none of the great collections of the country can boast the possession of a wam- pum belt. Considering their importance in our early history, and the great numbers that at one time must have been in existence, this is rather extraordinary. I have taken considerable pains to collect accu- rate representations of a number of examples of the ancient belts for \Morgan, in Fifth Annual Report on the Condition of the New York State Cabinet of Natural History, 1852, p. 72. 2Morgan: League of the Iroquois, p. 387. 250 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS this work, and am only sorry that I am unable to present them in color— the only method by which they can be adequately shown. As those which have come to my notice represent but a few localities, I shall in- sert descriptions of a number from regions as remote as possible. There is, however, great uniformity in design and method of construction; the result, probably, of their international character. From Heckewelder I quote the following: “Their belts of wampum are of different dimensions, both as to the length and breadth. White and black wampum are the kinds they use ; the former denoting that which is good, as peace ,friendship, good-will, &e.; the latter the reverse; yet occasionally the black also is made use of on peace errands, when the white cannot be procured ; but previous to its being produced for such purpose, it must be daubed all over with chalk, white clay, or anything which changes the color from black to white. * * * A black belt with the mark of a hatchet made on it with red paint isa war belt, which, when sent to a nation, together with a twist or roll of tobacco, is an invitation to joinin awar. * * * Roads from one friendly nation to another are generally marked on the belt by one or two rows of white wampum interwoven in the black, and running through the middle, and from end to end. It means that they are on good terms, and keep upa friendly intercourse with each other.”1 A belt accepted by the Indians of Western Pennsylvania from the French in a treaty which secured to the latter four forts within English territory had embroidered upon it four houses, pictographic represen- tations of the forts. Another example of the belts used in Pennsylvania, upwards of a century ago, is described in Beatty’s Journal. The Delawares, in ex- plaining to Beatty a former treaty with Sir Willian Johnson, ‘showed a large belt of wampum of friendship which Sir William Johnson had given them. On each edge of this were several rowsof black wampum, and in the middle were several rows of white wampum. In the middle of the belt was a figure of a diamond, in white wampum, which they called the council fire. The white streak they called the path from him to them and them to him,’’? Loskiel states that “the Indian women are very-dexterous in weay- ing the strings of wampom into belts, and marking them with different figures, perfectly agreeing with the different subjects contained in the speech. These figures are marked with white wampom upon black, and with black upon the white belts. For example, in a belt of peace, they very dexterously represent, in black wampom, two hands joined. The belt of peace is white, a fathom long and a hand’s breadth.” * In Plate XX XVIII present a fac-simile reproduction of a plate from the well known work of Lafitau,t in which we have a graphic yet ' Heckewelder: Indian Nations, 1876, pp. 1089-10. * Beatty: Journal of Two Months Tour, 1768, p. 67. 5’Loskiel: Missions of the United Brethren. Trans. by La Trobe, 1794. Book I, p. 26. - 4Lafitau: Mceurs des Sauvages Ameriquains, Tome, II, p. 314. HOLMES.] WAMPUM BELTS. 251 highly conventional representation of a council or treaty in which wampum belts were used. It is probably drawn from description and is far from truthful in detail. The more important facts are, however, very clearly presented. No information is given either of the people or the locality. The scene is laid in the middle of a broad featureless plain, the monotony of which is broken by three highly conventional- ized trees. The parties to the treaty are ranged in two rows, placed, facetoface. The chief who speaks stands at the farther end holding a belt in his right hand. Three other belts lie upon the mat at his feet, while a fifth is shown on a large scale in the foreground. The patterns can not be clearly made out, but in a general way resemble very closely the designs woven into the belts of the Irqouois. The small belt shown in Fig. 1. Plate XX XVIII, is probably one of the most recent examples. The cut is copied from Plate 1 of the Fitth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of New York on the condition of the State Cabinet of Natural History, p.72. The beads of which it is composed formerly belonged to the celebrated Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant. They were afterwards purchased from his daughter by Mr. Morgan. In 1850 they were taken to Tonawanda, in the State of New York, and made into this belt. The trimmings are apparently of Tib- bons, and the symmetryand uniformity of the whole work give it a new look not noticeable inthe other specimens. The design consists of 1 row of dark diamond-shaped figures upon a white ground. It is now pre- served in the State Cabinet of Natural History at Albany. A belt of unusual form is shown in Fig. 2, Plate XXXVIIT. It was kindly lent by Mrs. E. A. Smith, of Jersey City, by whom it was obtained from the Mohawks. It is 26 inches (251 beads) in length and in width varies from three inches (11 beads) at one end to about one inch (5 beads) at the other. It is bifurcated at the wide end, five rows having been omitted from the middle of the belt for about one-third of the length. Near the middle of the belt one row of beads is dropped from each side. Between this and the smaller end at nearly equal intervals it is twice depleted in a like manner, The beads are quite irregular in shape and size, but rather new look- ing and are strung in the usual manner, the longitudinal strings being buckskin and the transverse small cords of vegetable fiber. The ends and edges are all neatly finished by wrapping the marginal strings with a thin fillet of buckskin. The figures are in white beads upon a ground of purple. The form of this belt indicates that it has been adapted to some particular use, the placing of cords at the corners and shoulders suggesting its attachment in a fixed position to some part of the person or costume. ; In Plates XX XIX, XL, XLI and XLII, I present a series of illus- trations of the wampum belts belonging to the Onondagas. They are preserved as a most precious treasure by these people at their agency in Onondaga County, New York. The drawings were made by Mr. Trill from a series of minute photographs made from the original 252 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. belts by General J. S. Clark, of Auburn, New York. These were ob- tained for me by the Rev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville, New York, who has also very kindly furnished many of the facts embodied in the following descriptions." These belts are made in the usual manner, and present a great variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. Their full history has never been obtained by the whites, and it is not probable that the Indians themselves have preserved a very full account of their origin and significance. They are all ancient, ae judging by their appearance, must date far back in the history of the League. Many of them are quite fragmentary, and fears are entertained that they will gradually fall to pieces and be lost It is to be hoped that measures will be taken to have them preserved at least in the form of accurate chromo-lithographs. Mr. Beauchamp, states that they are yearly wasting away, as a little Wampum is annu- ally cast into the fire at the burning of the *“‘ white dog,” and these belts are the source of supply. The small belt presented in Fig. 1, Plate XXXIX, is somewhat fragmentary, an unknown number of beads having been lost from the ends. It is seven rows wide and at present two hundred beads long. The design consists of a series of five double diamonds worked in dark Wampum upon white. At one end a few rows of an additional figure remain, and at the other a small white cross is worked upon a ground of dark beads. The number of figures may be significant of the num- ber of parties to a treaty. Fig. 2 represents a well preserved belt, seven rows in width and about three hundred and twenty in length. The ground is of dark wam- pum, on which are worked five hexagonal figures of white wampum. For a short space at the ends alternate rows are white. As was sug- gested in reg ird to the preceding belt, the figures in this may represent the parties to a treaty. The belt shown in Fig 5 differs from the others in being picto- graphic. It is also quite perfect, although the character of the beads indicates considerable age. It is seven rows in width and three hun- dred and fifty beads inlength. The figures are white, ona dark ground, and consist of a cross near one end, connected by a single row of beads with the head of the figure of a man toward the other end. Beneath the feet of the elementary man the figure of a diamond is worked. The cross is probably significant of the mission of the man who comes from a long distance to the lodge or council of the red man. ‘This is proba- bly a French belt. The remnant of a very handsome belt is cree in Plate XL. Consider- able wampum has been lost from both ends, but the design appears to be nearly perfect, and consists of a trowel or heart-shaped figure in the center with two rectangular figures on the right and two on the left. These are in white upon a dark ground. Mr. Beauchamp states that it 1 Mr, Beauch: amp has published many interesting facts in regard to these belts in the American Antiquarian, Vol. II, No. 3. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLIT = 2a a = =e hh a = oa a 7 ST — -S- = =. al NAMARAN AMOR CHUANG TERT NNN hi | VON aL mnt ee 5 HAR Hatt IM i 21 E ROE NTE a AOKI ERUINKA: TA: GEREKRHEGDAA AVA PR HMM mn elle HASINIISY | ANA BAR WAMPUM BELT BELONGING TO THE ONONDAG! BUREAU OF ETHNOL' ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLII r = a aL say NT Is TOT ANG NN MEAL PPL Le Le ec A AL SONG UNA Whew AAP PARE abs NU ATE SNS CAS PTT EZ E Pramerta le ies IL LIL od MOURDIO RANMA MaNaNC MATS Pech} UR firesea RMU PSORMUNL NG DI NAACCR.NO eng NLA QL ATE DE OEE UE SOLU RIAU A Boece ACME AARON: NNER oO ROHS HERO UMMA AE MONTE: NM 0 APCTIAUNONEN ELE NM SS Pgs ten Bamana, cage BAMA ace S SS one Ha muReKEa mang CODREAY EA i Dineen ENEMA ha owe a = = BBO MA Go ME MN PANNA F Ee ON PULL eA RTA! (OHO LANE MONIES MTL ARON PANKATD ETZEL TED OOEN AAMT ADEN NIRRNANAINCATORE He 4 ccna OCU ore ersten re | a MNeT LEOAERKANANENO MER LEER ERED REL HCNEHN ORE KR) PUG R RA ee, BEES BAEC NMODSEL NEL PROLON TENE, pa ene ne J i PEE Wg: eT AA s Kt MOMS RENEE TENBAANSON LEVMNE DEAR, REPRE EES RELTRE LANE CN Ter Una a ATITENINURARHELORA LEN ig OG WISE A THE PENN BELT. (4) HOLMES. ] WAMPUM BELTS. 253 is said to be very old, and is thought to represent the formation of the Iroquois league and to signify “‘one heart for all the nations.” He doubts its great antiquity as the beads are too regular for hand-made cylinders. The belt is thirty-eight rows wide and about two hundred beads in length. The large elaborately figured belt shown in Plate XLI is almost perfect. The lateral margins are white; a broad notched band of dark wampum occupies the middle of this belt; through this from end to end runs a chain of white diamonds, sixteen in number, which may repre- sent States or nations. It is forty-five rows wide and two hundred and forty beads long. The magnificent belt shown in Plate XLII, is probably the finest ex- ample in existence. It is fifteen rows wide and six hundred and fifty in length, making the enormous total of nine thousan.J seven hundred and fifty beads. Mr. Beauchamp believes that this belt, or one like it, has been described as representing the formation of the League. From Webster’s! statement, that it was “made by George Washington,” he surmises that it is a belt memorizing a covenant between the Indians and the government. In the center is a house which has three gables and three compartments. Next the house on either side are two picto- graphic men, who appear to stand beneath protecting arms which pass over their heads, connect with the house, and grasp the hands of the first personages immediately on the right and left. In all there are fifteen figures of men, two being connected with the house; of the others, six stand on the right and seven on the left of the central group. It is suggested by Mr. Beauchamp that these figures may represent the thirteen colonies. Six other belts are shown in the photographs procured by General Price. One of them is thirteen rows wide and two hundred and fifty beads in length. The light ground is decorated with groups of triple chevrons. This belt is somewhat fragmentary. Another is forty-nine rows wide, being the widest example known. The original length can- not be determined, but at present it is two hundred and forty beads in length, and hence contains about twelve thousand beads. The pattern is simple, consisting of a dark ground notched at the edges with tri- angular figures of white. As the four remaining belts of this fine col- lection have no features of especial interest, they need not be described here. The remarkable belt shown in Plate XLIII has an extremely interest- ing, although a somewhat incomplete, history attached to it. It is believed to be the original belt delivered by the Leni-Lenape sachems to William Penn at the celebrated treaty under the elm tree at Shacka- maxon in 1682. Although there is no documentary evidence to show that this identical belt was delivered on that occasion, it is conceded on all hands that it came into the possession of the great founder of Penn- 1 Present chief of the Onondagas. 254 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. sylvania at some one of his treaties with the tribes that occupied the province ceded to him. Up to the year 1857 this belt remained in the keeping of the Penn family. In March, 1857, it was presented to the Pennsylvania Historical Society by Granville John Penn, a great grandson of William Penn. Mr. Penn, in his speech on this occasion, ' states that there can be no doubt that this is the identical belt used at the treaty, and presents his views in the following language: “ In the first place, its dimensions are greater than of those used on more ordi- nary occasions, of which we have one still in our possession—this belt being composed of eighteen strings of wampum—which is a proof that it was the record of some very important negotiation. In the next place, in the center of the belt, which is of white wampum, are de- lineated in dark-colored beads, in a rude but grapbie style, two figures— that of an Indian grasping with the hand of friendship the hand of a man evidently intended to be represented in the European costume, wearing a hat; which can only be interpreted as having reference to the treaty of peace and friendship which was then concluded between William Penn and the Indians, and recorded by them in their own simple but descriptive mode of expressing their meaning, by the employ- ment of hieroglyphics. Then the fact of its having been preserved in the family of the founder from that period to the present time, having descended through three generations, gives an authenticity to the docu- ment which leaves no doubt of its genuineness; and as the chain and medal which were presented by the Parliament to his father, the admiral, for his naval services, have descended amongst the family archives un- accompanied by any written document, but is recorded on the journals of the House of Commons, equal authenticity may be claimed for the wampum belt confirmatory of the treaty made by his son with the Indians ; which event is recorded on the page of history, though, like the older relic, it has been unaccompanied in its descent by any docu- ment in writing.” It will be seen, by reference to the accompanying illustration, that beside the two figures of men there are three oblique bands of dark Wampum, one on the left and two on the right. The one next the cen- tral group on the right is somewhat broken, and consists of two long bands and one short one. It is probable that these bands were used to record, by association, some important features of the treaty in which the belt was used. The beads are strung upon cords made of sinew or vegetable fibre, while the longitudinal fillets are of buckskin. This belt may be seen at the rooms of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 'The proceedings attending the presentation are fully recorded in the Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, volume iii, page 207. A full size lithographic illustration of the belt printed in color is also given. ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLIV BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ~ >: Ae a = omer SS SoS Ee a == 2 ).3 Ses es : a SZ oer “Mohawk.” 1. Name of New Chief. STRINGS OF WAMPUM. HOLMES. ] PENDANT ORNAMENTS. 255 PENDANTS. It would probably be vain to attempt to determine how pendant or- naments first came into use, whether from some utilitarian practice or through some superstitious notion. It matters not, however, whether the first pendant was an implement, a utensil, or a fetichifie talisman ; it has developed by slow stages into an ornament upon which has been lavished the best efforts of culture and skill. The simple gorget of shell suspended upon the naked breast of the preadamite is the proto- type of many a costly jewel and many a princely decoration. With the American savage it was a guardian spirit, invested with the mystery and the power of the sea, and among the more cultured tribes became in time the receptacle of the most ambitieus efforts of a phenominal art. The important place the gorget has taken in ornament and as a means of displaying personal aggrandizement has made it a most pow- erful agent in the evolution of the arts of taste. Asa rule the larger and more important pendants are employed as gorgets, but vast numbers of the smaller specimens are strung with beads at intervals along the strings, attached as auxiliary pendants to the larger gorgets, suspended from the nose, ears, and wrists, or form tinkling borders to head-dresses and garments. These pendants con- sist either of entire shells, or of parts of shells, pierced or grooved to facilitate suspension. The purely artificial forms are infinitely varied. The character of the shell, however, has much to do with the form of the finished ornaments, deciding their thickness and often their outline. In size they range from extremely minute forms to plates six or more inches in diameter. The perforations, in position and number, are greatly varied, but as a rule the larger discoidal pendants will be found to have two marginal perforations for suspension. These nicely-polished shell-disks afforded tempting tablets for the primitive artist, and retain many specimens of his work as an engraver. The engraved specimens, however, should be treated separately, accord- ing to the class of design which they contain. Plain pendants need but a brief notice, and may be treated together as one group, with such subdivisions only as may be suggested by their form, their derivation, or their geographical distribution. Plain pendants.—It will be unnecessary to cite authorities to show that our ancient peoples were fond of pendant ornaments, and wore them without stint, but to illustrate the manner in which they were used and the methods of combining them with other articles of jewelry in necklaces, bracelets, &c., I shall refer briefly to the literature of the period of American discovery. The inhabitants of Mexico are said to have been very simple in the matter of dress, but displayed much vanity in their profuse employ- ment of personal ornament. Besides feathers and jewels, with which 256 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. they adorned their clothes, they wore pendants to the ears, nose, and lips, as well as necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. The ear ornaments of the poor were shells, pieces of crystal, amber, and other brilliant stones, but the rich wore pearls, emeralds, amethysts, or other gems, set in gold.!. The priestly personages so graphically delineated in the an- cient Aztec manuscripts are as a rule loaded down with pendant orna- ments. In traveling north along the west coast of Mexico the Friar Niza encountered Indians who wore many large shells of mother of pearl about their necks, and farther up toward Cibola the inhabitants wore pearl shells upon their foreheads ;* and Cabec¢a de Vaca when among the pueblos of New Mexico noticed beads and corals that came from the “South Sea.” Ornaments made from marine shells are found in many of the ancient ruins to-day. They are also highly valued by the modern Indians of this region. * In the earliest accounts of the Indians of the Atlantic coast we find frequent mention of the use of pendants and gorgets, and the manner of wearing them as ornaments. Beverly, after having described beads made of a shell resembling the English buglas, says that they also make “runtees” of the same shell, and grind them as smooth as peak. ‘These are either large like an oval Bead, diill’d the length of the Oval, or ‘else they are circular and flat, almost an Inch over, and one Third of an Inch thick, and drill’d edgeways. Of this Shell they also make round Tablets of about four Inches Diameter, which they polish as smooth as the other, and sometimes they etch or grave there- on Cireles, Stars, a half Moon, or any other Figure suitable to their Fancy. These they wear instead of Medals before or behind their Neck, and use the Peak, Runtees, and Pipes for Coronets, Bracelets, Belts, or long Strings hanging down before the Breast, or else they lace their Garments with them, and adorn their Tomaharcks, and every other thing that they value.”* The ‘*‘ Pipes” here spoken of were probably long, heavy cylindrical beads. In referring to this class of ornaments, Lafitau says: ‘“ The collars which the savages sometimes wear around the neck are about a foot in diameter, and are not different from those which one now sees on some antiques, on the necks of statues of barbarians. The northern savages wear on the breast a plate of hollow shell, as long as the hand, which has the same effect as that which was called Bulla among the Romans.” Wood, speaking of the Indians of Northern New England, in 1654, says: ‘‘Although they be thus poore, yet is there in them the sparkes of naturall pride, which appeares in their longing desire after many kinds of ornaments, wearing pendants in their eares, as formes of birds, beasts, and fishes carved out of bone, shels, and stone, with long brace- 1Clavigero: History of Mexico, Trans. by Cullen, vol. I, p. 437. 2 Davis: Spanish Conquest of New Mexico, p. 121. ‘Beverly: History of Virginia, p. 196. _4Lafitan: Moeurs des Sauvages Ameriquains, p. 61. BUREAU OF RTHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLV 1, 2. Necklaces, from Lafitan. 6, 7, 8. From ancient sculptures. 3. From De Bry. 9. Bracelet from a Peruvian grave. 4,5. From Mexican paintings. ANCIENT PENDANTS. HOLMES. J ANCIENT PENDANT ORNAMENTS. 257 lets of their curious wampompeag and mowhackees, which they put about their necks and loynes.”? Kalm says of the Indians of Lorette, near Quebec, Canada, that “round their necks they have a string of violet wampums, with little white wampums between them. These wampums are small, of the fig- ure of oblong pearls, and made of the shells which the English call clams. At the end of the wampum strings many of the Indians wear a large French silver coin, with the king’s effigy, on their breasts; others have a large shell on the breast, of a fine white colour, which they value very high, and is very dear; others, again, have no ornament at all round the neck.”? Pendants of metal and medals of European manufacture soon replaced in a great measure the primitive gorgets of shell; and early in the his- tory of the tribes a heterogeneous collection of native beads, silver crosses, and traders’ medals, ornamented the breasts of the simple savages. In studying the habits and customs of our native peoples we look with a great deal of interest upon the earliest historical records, but generally find it prudent to remember that the ‘personal equation” was unusually large in those days, and in studying the illustrations given in the works of early writers we must make due allowance for the well- known tendency to exaggerate as well as for the fact that the artist has more frequently drawn from descriptions than from sketche$ made on the spot. ‘In Plate XLV two examples are given which seem to me to be trust- worthy, as they agree with the descriptions given, and are in a general way characteristic of the American aborigines. Fig. 1 is reproduced, original size, from Plate 2, Volume II, of Lafitau, and shows a broad necklace ornamented with figures that resemble arrow heads. From this, by means of a cord, is suspended a large circular disk with con- cave front, which undoubtedly represents a shell gorget. In front of this and suspended from the necklace are two long strands of beads of various sizes and shapes, which give completeness to a very tasteful ornament. Inthe same plate is a pretty fair drawing of a native in costume. He is represented wearing a necklace similar to the ene just described. An enlarged drawing of this ornament is given in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3 I reproduce a necklace froma plate in De Bry, which consists of a string of beads with two large disks tuat look more like metal than shell. A similar ornament is shown in Fig. 4, bunt with figured disks and secondary pendants. It is copied from the Codex of the Vatican. A common form of necklace among the ancient Aztecs con- sisted of small univalve shells suspended from a string. One of these, with other pendants, is shown in Fig. 5. Itis also copied from the Vatican Codex. Others of a much more complex nature may be found 1 Wood: New England Prospect, p. 74. ?Kalm: Travels in North America, 1772, vol. ii, p. 320. 17 E 258 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. in the same manuscript. Of even greater interest are the beautiful necklaces, with their pendants, found in the sculptures of Mexico and Yucatan.' Three of these are shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. One has a disk with human features engraved upon it, another has across with equal arms, and another a T-shaped cross. All have more or less auxiliary ornamentation. In Fig. 9 I present a bracelet of beads and pendants from Peru which illustrates one of the.simpler uses of pendants. I have not learned whether the parts of this ornament were originally arranged as given in the cut or not; the original stringing may have been some- what different. The beads are mostly of shell, and are of a variety of colors, white, red, yellow, and gray. The discoidal and cylindrical forms are both represented. The former range from one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch in diameter; the latter are one-eighth of an inch in thick- ness and three-eighths in length. The larger pendants, made of whitish shell, are carved to represent some life form, probably a bird; a large perforation near the upper end passes through the head, two oblique notches with deep lines at the sides, define the wings, and a series of notches at the wide end represent the tail. Two smaller pendants are still simpler in form, while another, with two nearly cen- tral perforations and notched edges, resembles a button. Eastern forms.—The great number of elaborately carved and engraved gorgets of shell found among the antiquities of the Atlantic slope, all of which meed careful descriptions, so overshadow the simple forms illustrated in Plate XLVI, that only a brief description of the latter need be given. Kudeness of workmanship and simplicity of form do not in any sense imply greater antiquity or a less advanced state of art. The simpler forms of plain pendants constituted the every-day jewelry of the average people and, like beads, were probably used freely by all who de- sired to do so. Many forms are found—cireular, oval, rectangular, tri- angular, pear-shaped, and annular. The more ordinary forms are found in mounds and grayes in all parts of the country; other forms are more restricted geographically, and probably exhibit features peculiar to the works of a particular clan, tribe, or group of tribes. Even these simple forms may have possessed some totemic or mystic significance ; it is not impossible that the plainer disks may have had significant figures painted upon them. Such of the forms as are found to have definite geographic limits become of considerable interest to the archeologist. In method of manufacture they do not differ from the most ordinary implements or beads, the margins being trimmed, the surfaces polished and the perforations made in a precisely similar manner. In Plate XLVI I present a number of plain circular disks. The larger specimens are often as much as four or even five inches in diam- eter and the smaller fraternize with beads, as I have shown in Plate XLY. Figs. 1 and 2 are from a mound at Paint Rock Ferry, Tenn. They are neat, moderately thin, concavo-convex disks, with smooth sur- 1 Vide Kingsborough, Waldeck, Bancroft, &c. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 P — : PENDANT ORNAMENTS—EASTERN FORMS. noumMes.| PENDANT ORNAMENTS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 259 faces and rounded edges. The first has two perforations at the upper edge, while the other has simi'arly placed but much smaller ones, be- sides a small central perforation surrounded by an incised circle. The national collection contains similar specimens from most of the Atlantic States; they differ from the larger discoidal beads only in the method of perforation. A typical specimen of this class, four and a half inches in diameter, is shown in Fig. 3. It was associated with the remains of a number of children in a mound in Hardin County, Ohio. Disks of this class were usually suspended upon the breast with the concave side out. That many of the specimens described were suspended in this way is indicated by the character of the abrasion produced by the cords. On the coneave side the cord of suspension has worn deep grooves between the perforations, and on the opposite or convex side similar grooves extend obliquely upward from the holes toward the margin of the disk, indicat- ing the passage of the cord upward and outward around the neck of the wearer. A large white disk, similar to the one just described, was obtained from a grave at Accotink, Va. It is five inches in diameter and has one central and three marginal perforations. It is made from a Busycon per- versum, and is neatly shaped and well polished. A fine specimen two inches in diameter was obtained from a mound on the French Broad River, Tenn., and, with many other similar speci- mens, is now in the national collection. The central perforation is often very much enlarged. A number of specimens, recently sent to the National Museum, from a mound in Auglaize County, Ohio, show several stages of this enlargement. One specimen five inches across has a perforation nearly one inch in diame- ter, while in another the perforation is enlarged until the disk has be- come aring. These gorgets show evidences of long use, the surfaces and edges being worn and the perforations much extended in the man- ner described above. They have been derived from the Busycon per- versum. In Fig. 4 [ illustrate an annular gorget from a mound in Alexander County, Ill. It was found associated with ornaments of copper by the side of a human skull, and is hence supposed to have been an ear or- nament. It is fragmentary and has suffered greatly from decay, the surface being mostly covered with a dark film of decomposed shell sub- stance, which when broken away, exposes the chalky surface of the shell. These shell rings, 0 far as I can learn, have been found in the States of Ohio and Illinois only. Rectangular pendants are much more rare. The national collection contains one rude specimen from Texas. It is about two inches wide by two anda half long, and is made from the base of some large dex- tral-whorled shell. A similar but much more finished specimen comes from Georgia, and is preserved in the New York Natural History Mu- seum. 260 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. A large keystone-shaped gorget with rounded corners was obtained from an ancient burial place at Beverly, Canada. It is illustrated in Plate L, Fig. 1. The small pendant shown in Fig. 5 is given by Schoolcraft in ‘ Notes on the Iroquois.” It represents rudely the human figure, and is orna- mented with eight perpendicular and four or five transverse dots. It was found on the site of an old fort near Jamesville, N. Y. In the same work Mr. Schooleraft illustrates another small pendant, which is repro- duced in Fig. 6. The body is heart-shaped, the perforation being made through a rectangular projection at the upper end. It was found at Onondaga, N. Y. Fhe small pendant presented in Fig. 7 is from West Bloomfield, N. Y. It has been suspended by means of a shallow groove near the upper end. It is made from the basal point of a dextral-whorled shell. The handsome little pendant shown in Fig. 8 was found with similar specimens in Monroe County, New York—probably on some ancient vil- laze site. It is well preserved and has been made from the columella of a dextral-whorled shell, An ornamental design, consisting of lines and dots, is engraved upon the face. A small, deeply countersunk perfora- tion has been made near the upper end. These objects have appar- ently been strung with beads, as the perforations show evidence of such abrasion as beads would produce. Many of the New York specimens have anew look, and their form suggests the possibility of civilized in- fluence. They are certainly more recent than the western and southern specimens. A small cylindrical pendant is illustrated in Fig. 9. A large, neat perforation has been made at the upper end, and the middle portion of the body is ornamented by a series of encircling grooves. This speci- men has been made from a large Unio and was obtained from a mound in Union County, Ky. Western forms.—In variety of form the plain pendants of the Cali- fornia coast excel all others. Specimens from the graves are generally well preserved, not having lost their original iridescence, although so much decayed as to suffer considerably from exfoliation. As indicated by the present well preserved condition of these shell ornaments, they are probably not of very ancient date; indeed it is highly probable that many of them are post-Columbian. Cabrillo visited the island of Santa Rosa in 1542 and found a numer- ous and thriving people. In 1816 only a small remnant of the inhabi- tants remained, and these were removed to the main-land by Catholic priests. Their destruction is attributed to both. war and famine. The history of the other islands is doubtless somewhat similar. Articles made from shell are found to resemble each other very closely, whether from the islands or the main-land. All probably belong to the same time, and although the peoples of the islands are said to have spoken a different language from those of the main-land, their arts were BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLVIT | . | PLAIN PENDANTS—PACIFIC COAST FORMS. HOLMES.] PENDANT ORNAMENTS OF THE ANCIENT CALIFORNIANS. 261 apparently pretty much the same. They do not differ, as far as works in shell are concerned, from the modern tribes of the main-land. There is also a noticeable resemblance between the art of the ancient Cali- fornia Islanders and that of the present inhabitants of the great Pacific archipelagoes. The record of many of the specimens obtained from these islands seems to be very incomplete, scarcely more being known than the fact that they were obtained from the ancient graves. Since, however, they are almost exclusively ornaments belonging probably to a single period, detailed accounts of their methods of occurrence would not add greatly to their value. In previous chapters vessels, hooks, and beads made of the Haliotis have been described, and the high estimation in which they are every- where held briefly noted. The variety of ways in which this shell is utilized is indeed remarkable and the multitude of forms into which it is worked for ornament is a matter of surprise. All are neatly and effect- ively worked, and evince no little skill and taste on the part of the makers. The Haliotis is not the only shell used, but it has no rival in point of beauty. Bivalve shells are utilized to a considerable extent, many tasteful things being made from the Fissurella, the Mytilus, the Pachydes- ma, and the Pecten. The perforations are generally neatly made and are more numerous than in similar eastern specimens; besides those for suspension there are frequently many others for the attachment of sec- ondary pendants and for fastening to the costume. Many specimens are ornamented with edgings of notches and crossed lines but very few have been found on which significant characters have been engraved, and we look in vain for parallels to the curious designs characteristic of the gorgets of the mound-builders. A glance at the numerous examples givenin Plates XLVIT, XLVIII, and XLIX will give a good idea of the multiplicity of forms into which these ornaments are wrought. A rather remarkable group of pendants is represented by Fig. 1. They are characterized by a deep scallop at the left, with a long curved hook- like projection above. They take their form from the shape of the lip of the Haliotis, from which they are made—the hook being the upper point of the outer lip where it joins the body, and the scallop the line of the suture. The body of the ornament is formed from the lip of the shell. In size they vary to some extent with the shells from which they are derived. The body is at times quite oval and again slender and hooked like the blade of a sickle. The perforations are generally very numerous, a fact that indicates their use as central pieces for composite pendants. Itis apparent that the wearers thought more of the ex- quisite coloring of these ornaments than of the outline or surface finish. This is only one of many instances that prove the innate and universal appreciation of beauty of color by savage peoples. 262 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. In Fig. 2 a fine example of the subtriangular or keystone shaped pendants is presented. The edges are very neatly cut and the corners slightly rounded. The back is ground smooth, but on the front the original surface of the shell is preserved, the colors being extremely rich and brilliant. A single perforation has been drilled near the upper end. It is made from a Haliotis rufescens, and was obtained from the island of Santa Rosa. The handsome specimen shown in Fig. 3 was obtained from a grave on the island of San Miguel. It has suffered much from decay. There are four neatly made perforations near the center. It has apparently been cut from the same shell as the preceding. Fig. 4 is a small keystone-shaped specimen having two perforations. Fig. 5 represents a small, delicate specimen of rectangular shape, having two minute perforations. This, as well as the preceding, was obtained from a grave on the island of San Miguel. Fig. 6 illustrates a small oval, wafer-like specimen, the edges of which have been ornamented with a series of crossed lines. It has three neat perforations on the line of the longer axis. It is from the island of Santa Cruz. Fig. 7 represents a small button-like disk with a central perforation ; the margin is ernamented with a series of radiating lines. It was ob- tained from Santa Barbara. A pendant of very peculiar form is shown in Fig. 8. The oval body has three marginal projections, all of which are perforated ; there is also a perforation near the center. The surface retains a heavy coating of some dark substance, which gives the ornament much the appearance of corroded metal. It was obtained from San Miguel Island. In a number of cases advantage has been taken of the natural per- forations of the shell, both to give variety to the outline of small pend- ants and to save the labor of making artificial perforations. A very handsome little specimen is shown in Fig. 9. The two indentations aboye and below represent two of the natural perforations of the shell; artificial perforations are made in each of the four corners or wings. It was also obtained from the island of San Miguel. Fig. 10 represents a leaf-shaped pendant with notched edges and a single perforation. It comes from the island of Santa Cruz. The examples given are typical of the very large class of ornaments derived from the Haliotide. The striking specimens shown in Plate XLVIII are, with one exception, made from shells of this class. The two sickle-shaped pendants illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are made from the broadened inner lip of the Haliotis californianus (2). In one a single perforation has been made near the upper end; in the other there are two, one near each end. The faces have been neatly dressed and the corners ornamented with minute notches. They are from graves on Santa Cruz Island. Two exquisite specimens, also from Santa Cruz Island, are presented in Figs. 3 and 4. They have been cut from the body of a BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. XLVIII r 1-7. Pendants made of the Haliotis. (}) 8. Pendant made of a Cyprea. (}) PENDANT ORNAMENTS OF THE PACIFIC COAST. yotmns.) PENDANT ORNAMENTS OF THE ANCIENT CALIFORNIANS. 263 Haliotis splendens (2), and finished with much care. Two perforations have been made near the upper margin, which is arched or curved while the lower is nearly straight. The edges are neatly notched. Although somewhat altered by exposure these objects are still very pretty. A very neat, well preserved little pendant is shown in Fig. 5. The specimen presented in Fig. 6 is peculiar in having a series of five per- forations, one near the middle and the others near the ends. The ex- ample givenin Fig. 7 has two perforations, one at each end. These are all made from species of the Haliotis. The specimen presented in Fig. 5 is made from the lip of a Cyprea spadicea with very little change except the carefully made perforation. It is from the island of San Miguel. The idea of beautifying orna- ments made from the Haliotis and other shells by notching the edges may have been suggested by the natural notches charac‘eristic of the Cypreas. Figs. 1, 2, and 3, Plate XLIX, illustrate a group of small, delicate, ladle-shaped pendants. The perforation for suspension is at the upper end of the handle and the body has an oval or circular perforation, which is often so enlarged as to leave only & narrow ring, like the rim of an eyeglass. The specimen shown in Fig. 3 has two lobes, with a large perforation or opening in each. In one instance the handle is quite wide at the upper end and ornamented by two deep lateral notches. The edges of these specimens are nearly always adorned with notches or crossed lines. Allare fashioned from the Haliotis, and although con- siderably stained are still well enough preserved to show the pearly lusters of that shell. Circular and oval disks are also numerous and vary much in finish; some have a great number of perforations or indentations, and nearly all are neatly notched around the margins. Examples are given in Figs. 4 and 5. The national collection contains a number of rings and pieces of rings made from the valves of a large clam, probably a Pectunculus, one ex- ample of which is shown in Fie. 6. The convex back of the shell is ground off until a marginal ring only remains. A perforation is made near the angle of the beak. The shell is from the California coast, but the rings were collected mostly if not entirely from Arizona and New Mexico. It is not impossible that the tribes of the interior procured these articles from white traders, as they are known to have secured other shell ornaments in this way. The natives of the California coast were not slow in taking advantage of natural forms to aid their art or to save labor. The shells of the Fissurellide as well as of the Haliotide have been in great favor. They have been used as beads and pendants in their patural state or the nat- ural perforations have been enlarged until only a ring has been left, or the margin and sides have been ground down until nothing of the origi- nal form or surface remained. Two of these forms are shown in Figs. 7 264 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. and 8. They are from graves on San Miguel Island, and are made from the Lucupina crenulata ; others come from Santa Cruz Island, and proba- bly also from the adjoining islands as well as from the mainland. Rings are also made from other shells. Examples made from the Aemaa mitra and Cyprea spadicea are shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. They come from San Miguel. PERFORATED PLATES. We find that pendant gorgets grade imperceptibly into another group of objects, the use or significance of which have not be fully determined. These objects are more frequently made of stone or copper, but good examples in shell have been found. As a rule they take the form of thin oblong plates which exhibit great variety of outline. The perfora- tions are peculiar, and have not been designed for ordinary suspension, but are placed near the middle of the specimen as if for fixing it to the person or costume by means of cords. Many theories have been ad- vanced in attempting to determine their use. They have been classed as gorgets, badges of authority, shuttles, armor plates, wrist protectors, and as implements for sizing sinews and twisting cords. Objects of this class in stone have been frequently illustrated and described. They are made of many varieties of stone, some of which seem to have been selected on account of their beauty. They have been neatly shaped and often well-polished. The edges are occasionally notched and the surfaces ornamented with patterns of incised lines. The perforations vary from one to four, the greater number of speci- mens, however, having only two. In the early days of mound explora- tion objects of this class were even greater enigmas, if possible, than they are to-day. Even the material of which a number of them were formed remained for a long time undetermined. Schoolcrait has published an illustration of a large specimen from the Grave Creek Mound, Va. This drawing is reproduced in Fig. 3, Plate L. The original was six inches long, one and three-tenths inches wide, and three-tenths of an inch in thickness. He expresses the opinion that it was one of those ancient badges of authority formerly in such general use among the Indians.} Another specimen, very much like the lastin size and shape, but made of shell, supposed at the time of discovery to be ivory, was found asso- ciated with human remains in the Grave Creek Mound. It is described by Mr. Tomlinson in the American Pioneer,’ and the cut given in Plate L, Fig. 4, is copied from that work. A remarkable specimen of this class is given in Fig. 5. It is made 1 Schooleraft, in Trans. Am. Eth. Soc., Vol. II, Plate 1. 2Tomlinson, in The American Pioneer, Vol. II, p. 200. BUREAU ANNUAL REPORT 1881 OF ETHNOLOGY PLAIN PENDANTS—PACIFIC COAST FORMS. G) HOLMES. } CENTRALLY PERFORATED TABLETS. 265 from the body of a large Busycon perversum, and is nine and a half inches long by three inches in width at the widest part. The concave surtace has been highly polished, but is now somewhat roughened by weathering; the back has been slightly ground to take off the rougher ridges of growth; the edges are even and rounded and in many places quite thin. The peculiarity of its shape is such as to give it very much the appearance of the sole of a sandal. The perforations are three in number, one being near the middle and the others near the broader end, about one and a half inches apart; they are very neatly made and are slightly bi-conical and a little countersunk. There appears to be no evi- dence whatever of abrasion by use. It was found associated with human remains in a mound at Sharpsburg, Mercer County, Ohio. A similar specimen from the same locality is nearly nine inches in length, and lacks but a little of three and a half inches in width. As in the speci- men illustrated, one perforation is placed near the middle and two others near the broader end. This specimen is highly polished on the broader part of the back, and is evenly smoothed on the concave side. It bears evidence of considerable use, and the two holes are much worn by a string or cord, which, passing from one hole to the other on the concave side of the plate, gradually worked a deep groove between them. On the back or convex side, the perforations show no evidence of wear. The central perforation is not worn on either side. The letter of Mr. Whitney, transmitting this relic to the National Museum, states that there were in the mound “ about ten pairs of the shell sandals of different sizes, and made to fit the right and left feet.” From the latter remark I should infer that some were made from dextral and others from sinis- tral shells; the two described are made from the Busycon perversum. An extremely fine specimen, much like the preceding, was exhumed from an ancient mound in Hardin County, Ohio. It was found on the head of a skeleton which occupied a sitting posture near the center of the mound. It is nine inches in length by three and one-half inches in width, and in shape resembles the sole of a moccasin, being somewhat broader and less pointed than the specimen presented in Fig. 5. It had been placed upon the skull with the wider end toward the back, but whether laid there as a burial offering simply or as constituting a part of the head-dress of the dead savage we have no means of determin- ing. The perforations are three in number, and are placed similarly to those in the specimen illustrated in Fig. 5. Two other skeletons had similar plates associated with them, which differed from the one de- scribed in size only, the smaller one being less than six inches in length. Lithographs of two of these specimens are given by Mr. Matson, in whose very excellent report they were first described. The gorget presented in Fig. 1 of this plate is copied from School- craft.” It was taken, along with many other interesting relics, from ! Matson, in Ohio Centennial Report, p. 131. *Schooleraft: History of the Indian Tribes, &c., part I, plate XIX. 266 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. one of the ossuaries at Beverly, Canada West. It is formed from some large sea shell, and is three inches in width by three and three-fourths inches in length. Its perforations are four in number, and are so placed as te be conveniently used either for suspension by a single cord or for fixing firmly by means of two or more cords. It seems to hold a mid- dle place between pendants proper and the pierced tablets under con- sideration." The unique specimen given In Fig. 2 is from Cedar Keys, Florida, but whether from a grave or a shell-heap I am at present unable to state. In its perforations, which are large and doubly conical, it resembles very closely the typical tablet of stone. The outline is peculiar; being rounded at the top, it grows broader toward the base like a celt, and terminates at the outer corners in well-rounded points, tze edge between being ornamented with a series of notches or teeth. It has been cut from the wall of a Busycon perversum, and is sharply curved. The sur- face is roughened by time, but there is no evidence of wear by use either in the perforations or in the notches at the bas>. In studying these remarkable specimens the fact that they so sel- dom show marks of use presents itself for explanation. Dr. Charles Rau, whose opinions in such matters are always worthy of considera- tion, remarks “that at first sight one might be inclined to consider them as objects of ornament, or as badges of distinction; but this view is not corroborated by the appearance of the perforations, which ex- hibit no trace of that peculiar abrasion produced by constant suspen- sion. ‘The classification of the tablets as ‘ gorgets,’ therefore, appears to be erroneous.” ? The same argument could, however, be brought with equal force against their use for any of the other purposes suggested. The perfo- vations, if not used for suspension or attachment, would be subject to wear from any other use to which they could be put. But, as we have already seen, one of the specimens in shell exhibits well-defined evidence of wear, and that of such a character as to indicate the passage of a cord between the perforations in a position that would produce abrasion be- tween the holes on the concave side of the plate, but would leave the back entirely unworn. This peculiar result could only be produced by attachment in a fixed position, concave side out, to some object perfo- rated like the plate, the cord passing directly through both. The per- forations of pendants necessarily show wear on both sides; a like result would follow from the use of these plates in any of the other ways men- tioned. Those made of shell could not, on account of their warped 1The ossuaries here mentioned are in the township of Beverly, twenty miles from Dundas, at the head of Lake Ontario. They are situated in a primitive forest, and were discovered upwards of thirty years ago through the uprooting of a tree. Large numbers of skeletons had been deposited longitudinally in trenches, with many imple- -ments, utensils, and ornaments. Two brass kettles were found in one of the graves, (Schoolcraft: Red Races of America, p. 326.) ?Rau: Archeological Collection of the National Museum, p. 33. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. L 1. Ornament from Beverly, C. W- 3, 4. Objects from the Grave Creek Mound, Va. 2. Ornament from Florida. 5. Perforated plate from Ohio. PERFORATED PLATES. HOLMES.) ~ CLASSIFICATION OF PENDANT GORGETS. 267 shape, be used for shuttles; besides, they show no evidence of marginal wear, such as would result from this use. The fact, too, that the mate- rial had to be brought from the distant sea-shore would seem to render it too rare and precious to be employed in the ordinary arts when wood, stone, and bone would serve the purpose as well. Owing to the care- lessness or negligence of collectors we have but little information in regard to their relation to the human remains with which they were deposited. Such facts as we have, however, tend, I believe, to show that they were used for personal decoration. Again, the material of which they are formed is, on account of its beauty, especially adapted for ornament, and for this use it has been almost exclusively reserved by peoples as distant from the sea as were the ancient peoples of the Ohio Valley. ENGRAVED GORGETS. It has already been suggested that the simpler forms of pendants with plain surfaces may have had particular significance to their pos- sessors, as insignia, amulets, or symbols, or that they may have re- ceived painted designs of such a character as to give significance to them. For ornament the natural or plainly polished surface of the shell possessed sufficient beauty to satisfy the most fastidious taste—a beauty that could hardly be enhanced by the addition of painted or incised figures. But we find that many of the larger gorgets obtained from the mounds and graves of a large district have designs of a most interest- ing nature engraved upon them, which are so remarkable in conception and execution as to command our admiration. Such is the character of these designs that we are at once impressed with the idea that they are not products of the idle fancy, neither is it possible that they had no higher office than the gratification of barbarian vanity. I have given much time to their examination, and, day by day, have become more strongly impressed with the belief that no single design is without its significance, and that their production was a serious art which dealt with matters closely interwoven with the history, mythology and polity of a people gradually developing a civilization of their own. Although these objects were worn as personal ornaments they proba- bly had specialized uses as insignia, amulets, or symbols. As insignia, they were badges of office or distinction. The devices en- graved upon them were derived from many sources and were probably sometimes supplemented by numeral records representing enemies killed, prisoners taken, or other deeds accomplished. As amulets, they were invested with protective or remedial attributes and contained mystic devices derived from dreams, visions, and many other sources. 268 ART IN SHELL OF THE ANCIENT AMERICANS. As symbols they possessed, in most cases, a religious character, and were generally used as totems of clans. They were inscribed with char- acters derived chiefly from mythologic sources. A few examples con- tain geometric designs which may have been time-symbols, or they may have indicated the order of ceremonial exercises. That these objects should be classed under one of these heads and not as simple ornaments engraved with intricate designs for embel- lishment alone is apparent when we consider the serious character of the work, the great amount of labor and patience shown, the frequent recurrence of the same design, the wide distribution of particular forms, the preservation of the idea in all cases, no matter what shortcomings occur in execution or detail, and the apparent absence of all lines, dots, and figures not essential to the presentation of the conception. In describing these gorgets I have arranged them in groups distin- guished by the designs engraved upon them.' They are presented in the following order: ; The Cross, The Scalloped Disk, The Bird, The Spider, The Serpent, The Human Face, The Human Figure: and to these I append The Frog, which is found in Arizona only, and although carved in shell does not appear to haye been used as a pendant, as no perforations are visible. Within the United States ancient tablets containing engraved designs are apparently confined to the Atlantic slope, and are not found to any extent beyond the limits of the district occupied by the stone-grave peoples. TEarly explorers along the Atlantic coast mention the use of engraved gorgets by a number of tribes. Modern examples may be found occasionally among the Indians of the northwest coast as well as upon the islands of the central Pacific. THE CROSS. The discoverers and early explorers of the New World were filled with surprise when they beheld their own sacred emblem, the cross, mingling with the pagan devices of the western barbarian. Writers have specu- lated in vain—the mystery yet remains unsolved. Attempts to con- nect the use of the cross by prehistoric Americans with its use in the East have signally failed, and we are compelled to look on its oceur- rence here as one of those strange coincidences so often found in the practices of peoples totally foreign to each other. If written history does not establish beyond a doubt the fact that the “ drawn by Miss Kate C, Osgood, who has no superior in this class of work. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT 1881 PL. LI = | 1. From a mound, Union County, Tl. SHELL GORGETS—THE CROSS. @) 2. From Charleston, Mo. oo van - HOLMES. ] THE GROSS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 269 to the pages of the great archeologic record, where we find that it occupies a place in ancient American art so intimately interwoven with concep- tions peculiar to the continent that it cannot be separated from them. It is found associated with other prehistoric remains throughout nearly the entire length and breadth of America. I have the pleasure of presenting a few new examples of this emblem, obtained from the district at one time occupied by the mound-builders. The examples are carved in shell or engraved upon disks of shell which have beenemployed as pendant gorgets. In the study of these particu- lar relics, one important fact in recent history must be kept constantly in wind. The first explorers were accompanied by Christian zealots, who spared no effort to root out the native superstitions and introduce a foreign religion, of which the cross was the all-importantsymbol. This emblem was generally accepted by the savages as the only tangible feature of a new system of belief that was filled with subtleties too profound for their comprehension. As a result, the cross was at once introduced into the regalia of the natives; at first probably in a European form and material attached to a string of beads in precisely the manner that they had been accustomed to suspend their own trinkets and gorgets; but soon, no doubt, delineated or carved by their own hands upon tab- lets of stone and copper and shell, in the place of their own peculiar con- ceptions. Irom the time of La Salie down tothe extinetion of the sav- age inthe middle Mississippi province, the cross was kept constantly be- fore him, and its presence may thus be accounted for in such remains as post-date the advent of the whites. Year after year articles of European manufacture are being discovered in the most unexpected places, and we shall find it impossible to assign any single example of these crosses toa prehistoric period, with the assurance that our statements will not some day be challenged. It is certainly unfortunate that the American origin of any work of art resembling European forms must rest forever under a cloud of suspicion. As long as a doubt exists in regard to the origin of a relic, it is useless to employ it ina discussion where import ant deductions are to be made. At the same time it should not be for- gotten that the cross was undoubtedly used as a symbol by the prehis- toric nations of the South, and consequently that it was probably also known in the North.