the real use for plummets

[unclemac]

looks like Gator and me were both wrong!

CharmStoneStory

...who woulda thunk it....

 

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[GatorBoy]

Well put. .GoldMaven And NC. They did have weights for those hooks and they look nothing like a plummet.

 

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[NC field hunter]

There's no way they were fishing sinkers.

Fish were mainly trapped, speared, or netted. If weights were needed for nets they would be large soft rocks easily notched. Plummets show a large amount of work, which is not required for a fishing sinker.

These had to spin in some way, because of their symmetry.

The charm stone theory is funny, I have always been amused by learned men that can't figure out what something was used for, so it becomes "ceremonial".

I'm sure there were certain rituals preformed in prehistoric man's life, but mostly they were hunting, gathering, and trying to keep the wolf from the door...literally.

Just thought of this!lol! When it comes to a wolf at the tee-pee, religion or a charm stone is the only option!lol! Only one I see any way.

 

[GatorBoy]

Just thought of this!lol! When it comes to a wolf at the tee-pee, religion or a charm stone is the only option!lol! Only one I see any way.

Funny but fire and stone is way more efficient.

 

[NC field hunter]

Funny but fire and stone is way more efficient.

Quick message to the Gods surely can't hurt!!Lol!

 

[rock]

I believe it was probably a Shawman type of item cause they arent just laying around every where. Or even a religious object. They had all types of beliefs and made things for them. I dont think sinkers cause when I fish and run out of weights I actually use a rock and it works just fine if there isnt any current.

 

[tomclark]

I don't think they fished with this, or used it as a plumb-bob, or used it as a loom weight......

I've found a lot of plummets that are broken at the groove, guess that's more a function of the weakness of the spot, but maybe a clue to usage??....

 

[Edmundruffin]

Anyone pondered the thought they were articles of female self gratification? Makes as much sense as some opinions. Could explain the drilled hole or groove, attached to a string.................................

 

[Gold Maven]

I'm just saying if they needed a sinker, any old stone would do.

Try shaping a stone in the shape of a plummet with out power tools. I bet you wouldn't toss it out in a river. The tiny notch doesn't look like a good anchor point for a sinker, better a hole or deep notches.

One of the appealing aspects of relic collecting, is we don't know everything, and it is fun trying to put yourself in prehistoric man's place, and try to figure things like this out.

Banner stones were thought to be pendants, until an atlatl was found intact in a Pennsylvania rock shelter.

Perhaps something similar will happen with the plummet

 

[NC field hunter]

I'm just saying if they needed a sinker, any old stone would do.

Try shaping a stone in the shape of a plummet with out power tools. I bet you wouldn't toss it out in a river. The tiny notch doesn't look like a good anchor point for a sinker, better a hole or deep notches.

One of the appealing aspects of relic collecting, is we don't know everything, and it is fun trying to put yourself in prehistoric man's place, and try to figure things like this out.

Banner stones were thought to be pendants, until an atlatl was found intact in a Pennsylvania rock shelter.

Perhaps something similar will happen with the plummet

I agree 100% about the mystery being part of the fun in this hobby.

 

[NC field hunter]

Anyone pondered the thought they were articles of female self gratification? Makes as much sense as some opinions. Could explain the drilled hole or groove, attached to a string.................................

That one is far out! Dude!! I think I'm out on that. We have found the answer.

 

[unclemac]

no they used these....

 

[NC field hunter]

no they used these....

That in all honesty is one heck of a find, but how
Would one go about displaying it? :-)

 

[NC field hunter]

no they used these....

Second glance, you could play chess with that piece!lol!

 

[GatorBoy]

I don't think they fished with this, or used it as a plumb-bob, or used it as a loom weight......

I've found a lot of plummets that are broken at the groove, guess that's more a function of the weakness of the spot, but maybe a clue to usage??....

I think I'm with Edmundruffin on that one Tom.

 

[NC field hunter]

I think I'm with Edmundruffin on that one Tom.

If that plumm was used for fishing, and I doubt it was, it sure makes one think twice about " fishing worms".lol! I think those last two had to deal with the beauty and mystery of birth. Perhaps not what we expect to see at a baby shower, but, they probably did not have soiled minds as we do. Where we snicker and make jokes (and I am probably the guiltiest ) they saw magic, and a God send in birth which links back to the phallic symbol. The reproduction system is super powerful and more modern people need to treat it as a powerful sacred part of life, rather than a joke. Sure would cut our taxes!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bum Luck]

Whatever those are.. they're not plummets.

How do you know that?

A lot of these are found by water. All you have to do is attach a string, and you have a horizontal and vertical line. Put it against the a backdrop of sky, and you are able to have a clock or calendar or compass.

I'm not saying that's the case, but remember, some of these people were bright. And there's value in knowing that.

No one has thought of the possibilty of the string and plummet being in motion; that would make it a pendulum, possibly a shamanic use.

 

[GatorBoy]

Because I'm assuming that the I.D. was given in part because of the damage visible if you look closely from banging into one another that is common use wear for bolas and they are a well document type for that region. I should also add... after the research I have put into this I believe the artifacts that I am referring to with the carved grooves are a different artifact than the ones with the drilled holes.

 

[NC field hunter]

Because I'm assuming that the I.D. was given in part because of the damage visible if you look closely from banging into one another that is common use wear for bolas and they are a well document type for that region. I should also add... after the research I have put into this I believe the artifacts that I am referring to with the carved grooves are a different artifact than the ones with the drilled holes.

Have you found grooved plums along with drilled ones? If not, they may be from different ages. I know you said some were archaic.

 

[GatorBoy]

I've never found a drilled one. I would most likely call it a gorget or a pendant if I did.

 

[GatorBoy]

Since we are on the subject of mysterious grooved artifacts ...
Does anybody have an ID or some help on this one.. I don't know what to call it.. it also looks like a bird to me. It's made of the same type shell that is used to make plummets where I am.