Western PA Gorget or Pendant? Other?

[Hutch in PA]

This is one of my favorite finds of the year. I found it laying right on top of an unplowed corn field--first find of 2010 back in March! It was drilled at least three times (and broke on the third hole). I have several questions: Do you believe this was a gorget? Or decorative pendant? Other? Also, do you think this is just 'half' of the piece and the other half would mirror this side? Any estimate on the period? Most everything I've found in the area is Late Woodland.

I'm sure they must exist, but the research I've done hasn't turned up descriptions or pictures of a gorget containing more than 3 holes.

I spent a lot of time searching for the other side! I found another drilled pendant in the area, but it was very rough. This is the only banded slate I came across. I'm assuming it traveled from Ohio...plenty of Flint Ridge material there as well.

Any thoughts appreciated. Snowing like mad here in PA!!!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[The Grim Reaper]

Does the broken edge show signs of being ground smooth? It may be very slight grinding just to smooth out a ragged edge. It looks to me to be a Gorget that has been broken and then salvaged be drilling a third hole to make it into a Pendant. Very cool piece. I love salvaged pieces. It how they liked the piece so well they couldn't just discard it after it got damaged

 

[Hutch in PA]

Negative on the grinding. It is jagged...in the unlikely event the other side was to be found, it would fit perfectly along the break. Thanks for the input.

 

[Miami-valley-artifacts]

I'd say even if it isn't ground it is a salvaged piece. The two lower holes look close to being drilled the same way vs. the upper hole which has a different, even a bit cruder form of drilling. It may have been that it was picked up by a later culture and utilized. I would call it a complete piece.
I have an absolutely kiiler dalton which by anyones standards would be a work of art, the only thing that holds it back a bit is a later culture (probally hopewell) picked it up and put some notches in it. the notched are patinated the same as the rest of the piece. I guess they collected artifacts too! Scott

 

[Tnmountains]

They did collect and recycle many cultures. I think they copied them as well Nice pendent/gorget. They maybe decided to part with it after all. I think they were picky and took pride in their works of art. Very nice find.

 

[mad.co.walker]

all i can say is that those are terrific items. and the hopewells in my area really seemed to reuse earlier points especially the larger projectiles. seems like they were trying to make the points better. if we could only turn back time and watch these masters make these points. im about 10 miles from the cahokia mounds and find some really neat re-worked points. thanks for shareing !!!!!!

 

[trevmma]

some motivation found in cut corn next year right before beans started found the other half like 12 ft away. i have seen gorgets like that, maybe the other half has 2 and a half holes, the sinew could have just rotted away in the years, i think its there.

 

[wells]

quit common--h one half of a 4 hole gorget.

 

[Hutch in PA]

I saw your post earlier...and it definitely has me inspired to triple-check for the remainder. Though, I looked and looked last year. I even gained permission to dig, which I did. Hopefully this spring I'll find the rest. I'll definitely keep on checking. Besides, it's a fantastic spot. Piles of flakes and plenty of points.

 

[trevmma]

i looked and looked too, then one day after a guy offered me 4o bucks for it at a show i went and found the rest as soon as i walked into the field, i went all the time to look,.