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Bannerstone Discussion

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Zuma:
After presenting my thread on Abo Drilling and having so many interesting replies I have decided to try a continued discussion concerning bannerstones.
Of course I am biased towards drilling since I have satisfied myself and many others that have tried my tool kit that it is certainly a reasonable possibility.
There is one remaining catch to the drilling theory imo. Why did stone drilling stop in the Woodland Era?
Or did it?
I would sure like as much input as possible. Pro or Con is what it's all about.
I have lots of ammo for drilling and anti atatl weight use. But it is mostly my opinion backed up by scads of research. Not much of which points to bannerstones being used as drilling aids.
Also I have not as yet found info where stone drill bits are found with banners??
Nonetheless here are some of my thoughts. I hope they compel others to research anything that they are interested in.

  “Running away from any problem only increases the distance from the solution. The easiest way to escape from the problem is to solve it.”
 
1---Drilled holes fit shafts like rivercane not ancient atatls.

2--- Drills made from broken spear or arrow points were most likely hafted on these type shafts.
These shafts could be used to drill stone without stone drill tips. Just using grit.

3--- Larger holes are usually drilled in tubular type bannerstones-- Perhaps for fire drills where larger shaft diameter is helpful .

4--- Winged and shield type banners perform very aerodynamically when spun on a shaft.
Thick and rectangular shapes are actually counter productive. (experiment)

5--- A banner adds weight to the drill or fire starter shaft. A definite plus.

6--- On a bow drill or fire starter downward pressure on the shaft causes the string to slip.
The weight of the well fashioned stone does not.

7--The shield or winged banner works well and enhances drilling on a hand shaft or a bow drill shaft. Hand shaft has to be way longer than bow shaft in order to accomplish adequate spinning.

8---Who is better to create and use a banner than the drill master.
The bannerstones would facilitate all types of drilling not just stone.

Here is a way interesting pfd file enjoy and thanks for looking.
I am sure you will have to cut and paste it. Unless some nice member
can get it to click in.

A Preliminary Report on the So-Called" Bannerstones"
www.jstor.org/stable/660669

of stone somewhat resembling the drilled stone axes of the Old. World. Here ... Many fanciful names such as bannerstones, ceremonial axes, maces, butterfly ...


Zuma

Parnell:
Thanks for sharing the link.  I've read several pages...finish it tomorrow!

Zuma:
Glad you took a look Parnell. I have collected all around the area
of the quarry but not directly close. Maybe 50 miles.
Finding that pfd was the first I knew about it and the entire
production line of banners.
There is a claim that there are no banners found west of the Big Muddy.
I wonder if it is because there is no soft stone or what?
Many mysteries.
Zuma

Buckeye Guy:
Thanks for sharing this with us !
good read!

Zuma:
My pleasure Buck.
I have found more links. Here is another.

The Archaic Bannerstone by David L. L
www.thearchaicbannerstone.com/About-The-Book.html


I also include some photos of my experimentation.
In brief --- Originally I made a drill bit from some Edwards chert. I tried it by hand on a 30"shaft. It drilled ok.but made my hands sore. I could put some weight on the work this way by starting the palm action high and swiveling down the shaft.
I always thought a winged or shield bannerstone would help the process.
I made one and put it on the shaft. The drilling went way better.
Next I shortened the shaft and made a bow. The rig in the photos below. I used a natural cap stone.(fossil from CA beach. I was drilling with it very fast and got careless and broke the bit. It still drilled a little. I was able to drill from both sides.
I was not accurate in my hasty alignment. lol
I thought it was time to try some cane as my bit was exhausted. (mostly from my carelessness and instable platform.
I was able to drill a bit with the cane and some chert grit. But it didn't last long as the string quickly frayed and the cane was not true and caused problems.
I will rethink cane and pursue it in the future.
I am excited with my new experiment. Photos below.
New drill bit (gnarly English flint)
New length of shoe string (not abo)
Quick run down---
The soapstone is 1.8 mm thick(11/16")
I stopped drilling from one side-- the hole (start side) tad less than 9 mm (7/16 ")
I finished the hole by hand by twisting the shaft and soapstone. ( less chance of breaking the drill as I could feel the slightest catch).
Bow drilling time an exciting  6 min's.
Hand drill 1 min.
No damage to the equipment except a little wear on the drill tip (expected as the drill tip was very thin).
Questions and input anxiously wanted. lol
Zuma

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