Bird Stone
1 of 4
Object Label
Bird stones have been largely found along the eastern coast of North America, from as far north as Nova Scotia, and as far west as the Mississippi River. There are many theories about the objects’ function. Were they associated with religion? Were they fastened to clothing to indicate status or stage of life? Were they ancient game pieces or handles for a spear thrower (atlatl)? Bird stones are typically carved from exceptional types of hard stone, and the quantity of surviving examples existing today indicates their popularity.
Caption
Hopewell. Bird Stone, 1500–500 B.C.E.. Mottled greenstone, 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 4 in. (4.4 x 3.8 x 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 63.198.
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Bird Stone
Date
1500–500 B.C.E.
Period
Pre-contact
Geography
Place found: Michigan, United States
Medium
Mottled greenstone
Classification
Dimensions
1 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 4 in. (4.4 x 3.8 x 10.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection
Accession Number
63.198
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