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Mussel shell bannerstones

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swamp monkey:
Anyone know what kind of shells the bannerstones at Indian knoll Kentucky were made of?  Shells were crafted into triangular shape with a drilled hole in the middle.  Several were slid on the atlatl shaft to make bannerstone.   I am curious if these were freshwater or marine shells?  I have intention to make such an atlatl with one of these bannerstones.

Pat B:
Just a wild guess but I would imagine they would be marine shells. I've never see fresh water clams with shells that thick. Is there any coloration to the shells. Some marine clam shells have a purplish hue to them like what is used for wampum beads.

bluegill68:
Tough to say for sure but I wouldn't rule out native freshwater mussels, there were/are a handful species thick enough for the cultured pearl industry.  I have held many that were approaching 1" thick.

mullet:
Wampum was made from Marine clams, cherry stones or quahogs. They have that purple tint inside.

swamp monkey:
Native freshwater mussels are mostly white.  However a few like the pink heel splitter have pink "nacre".  So color alone will not be diagnostic.  I too have seen a few species like the bluffer that get thick enough but I would be challenged to find a batch with sections flat enough and wide enough to make a 3 cm triangular shape.  That does not mean it can't be done.  That is why I am asking.  Marine shells are possible too.  I want to do this like they did.  That is all.

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