Justice, Noel D. (Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University)
PREHISTORIC QUARRIES AND WORKSHOPS: THE WYANDOTTE CHERT SOURCE
AND THE EVIDENCE FOR MANUFACTURE, TRADE, AND RITUAL BEHAVIOR
Figure: Typical Late Archaic, Early Woodland
and Middle Woodland artifacts fabricated from Wyandotte chert
The Wyandotte chert source was a focus of major prehistoric lithic procurement
and manufacturing activity for over 10,000 years. Peoples from every known prehistoric
culture in the middle Ohio valley came to the region around Harrison County, Indiana
to make tools. Chipped objects of all kinds made from Wyandotte chert were traded
as far as 500 to 1000 miles away from the source. By far, the period of heaviest
workshop activity in the region occurs from about 1500 B.C. to about 600 A.D.
This was a time when exotic, status, and ceremonial products of all kinds were
exchanged in large numbers to important activity centers. Representative chipped
stone types are discussed and reference is made to various collections from Indiana
and other states. Reflections upon the ritual significance of certain chipped
stone forms as viewed through reconstruction of their manufacturing strategies
is also discussed. Finally, the importance of the Wyandotte chert source is treated
relative to plans for future fieldwork in the region. A grant from the Department
of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology has been
received to conduct reconnaissance in Harrison County beginning in early Spring
1988. This survey will revisit previously recorded quarries and workshops and
seek to identify new sources of information based on fieldwork and collector interviews.
[return to 1987 abstracts menu][continue to next]