Butterfly Bannerstone
4000-2000 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Arts of the Americas
Bannerstones
In the woodlands regions of North America, stone and quartzes were materials used extensively for ritual and utilitarian items. A bannerstone likely had a practical function as a counterweight on an atlatl, a long wooden shaft with a hooked end that was used to add power to a hunter’s arm when throwing a spear. The bannerstone’s wings may have provided balance. Bannerstones are often found far from stone sources, indicating they were part of a large trade network.
In the woodlands regions of North America, stone and quartzes were materials used extensively for ritual and utilitarian items. A bannerstone likely had a practical function as a counterweight on an atlatl, a long wooden shaft with a hooked end that was used to add power to a hunter’s arm when throwing a spear. The bannerstone’s wings may have provided balance. Bannerstones are often found far from stone sources, indicating they were part of a large trade network.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Stone
- Medium
- stone
- Locations
- Place made: Eastern, United States
- Period
- Late Archaic Period
- Dimensions
- 3 1/8 x 1 x 4 1/2 in. (7.9 x 2.5 x 11.4 cm)
- Departments
- Arts of the Americas
- Accession Number
- 77.30.2
- Credit Line
- A. Augustus Healy Fund
- Exhibitions
- American Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
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