Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Cave Men only "Oooga Booga" => Topic started by: swamp monkey on July 03, 2014, 12:11:09 am

Title: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 03, 2014, 12:11:09 am

Coastal natives like the Calusa made a lot of tools from shells.  They had little to no rock resources.  So as I made a few shell tools I began to ponder how they did this.  I assume shells were used to shape other shells into tools.  They were used to grind, saw, peck and sand tools into shape.  I suppose that the Calusa crafters looked at shells the way I do at different trees.  Some trees are better for certain things thanks to their characteristics.  I.e., Osage will make a bow while pine is better for other products.  So my pondering is what species were good for making shell tools that make shell tools?

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 03, 2014, 12:13:07 am

A Celt and an adze of shell.  Not mine. Borrowed the images for explanation purposes.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 03, 2014, 12:15:55 am

A Calusa village. Mounds were made of shells.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 04, 2014, 06:39:45 pm

I got a hold of a fella in Florida who makes the tools I have pictured above.  He was most gracious with some information. 

He indicated that adze blades were crafted from lightning whelk and celts were taken from Queen conch.  He also indicated that some rocks were used in shell tool manufacture.  Limestone or sandstone were used to sharpen blades. 

I LOVE learning.   8)

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 18, 2014, 10:42:04 am

I just got back from a vacation where I visited Key Marco and Sanibel Island.  I found some limestone rocks along the beach.   I collected some raw material too.   8) 8)  My wife and I collected shells.  some were chosen for beauty and some because they would make a fine scraper, adze etc.   ;)  I will be experimenting as time allows.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 18, 2014, 11:04:47 am

While on a camping trip recently, I brought some mussel shells along to create temper for pottery use.  Here in Missouri we have a daily possession limit of five mussels per day. I only collect the expired shells but that law covers me.  Anyhow, the process involves placing the mussels in the fire and allowing them to flake apart.   I placed papershell mussels and parts from three ridge mussels that were left over from replica projects.  The papershell mussels flaked in less than 20 minutes (perhaps less - I walked away) however, the three ridge mussels didn't have much sign of flaking. I expect it would take repeated or prolonged exposure to fire to delaminate the larger thicker mussel.  That would be a good science project . . . hmmmm.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 18, 2014, 11:41:40 am

A few more Celt and adze images.  Both items were made from queen conch or lightning whelk. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Newindian on July 18, 2014, 01:31:30 pm

Very interesting looking forward to seeing the finished product

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: PrimitiveTim on July 18, 2014, 01:33:08 pm

Very interesting thread.  I have messed with shells some but I need to explore more as there are plenty of shells around my area.  What do you know about shell spear points or arrow heads?

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 18, 2014, 02:41:20 pm

Shell arrowheads are an interesting topic.  I know it can be done but that is about it.  As for hooks and spears, I have seen descriptions of them for the Pacific coast tribes .  In William Henry Holmes book art in shell of the ancient Americans, he states that " the use of shell in the manufacture of fishing implements seems to have been almost unknown among the tribes of the Atlantic coast". Keep in mind this was published in 1923.  Archeologists may have made new discoveries since then. 

Part of this may have to do with manufacture time.  The work involved with shaping shell makes me think that if I can get the same function for a bull shark tooth, or an arrow head -- well I would.  Less time is invested.  I know time is not always the issue.  Look at how much time goes into making a stone bannerstone, an igneous ax or a black drink cup.  They are time expensive items by comparison to other crafts.  However, the absence of shell spears and arrowheads makes me think effort was the issue here. 

Theoretically, I would say shell would make a solid harpoon point.  The stuff is really hard to work because it is tough.  I  have worked some bone, but not a lot.  It would be interesting to see which one would be more durable bone or shell harpoon blades. 

But I am still learning.  Notice all the weasel words like " I think," and "I would say".  I will keep digging.  Fun stuff to learn about.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: PrimitiveTim on July 18, 2014, 06:33:34 pm

They're not weasel words.  We're just discussing ideas and neither of us are authorities on the subject.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on July 18, 2014, 08:42:55 pm

 ;) like minds. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: JackCrafty on July 23, 2014, 05:51:58 pm

Another cool thread!  :)

I've made both shell and bone arrowheads and bone is easier.  It's easier because you can hold onto a long bone easier than a shell fragment.  You shape the arrowhead on the tip of the long bone and then snap off the arrowhead when you're done.  You can't do that with shell (at least none of the shells I've worked).  Shell is also more brittle than bone when it gets thin and pointy.  Bone actually bends noticeably before breaking.

Hopefully more will chime in on this subject.  I'd like to learn what experiences others have had with shell tools.  Swamp Monkey can't be the only Oooga Boooga fanatic here!  (It's ok if you are though  ;))

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 07, 2014, 10:45:29 pm

Whelks shells in the genus Busycon were used to make wood working adzes, hammers, chopping axes, fishing sinkers, net making tools, beads, drinking cups, gorget sand perhaps more.  Conch shells were used to make celts, net sinker.  Horse conch were also sinkers.  Clam shells were used for knives and scrapers or small adzes.    I will add more as I Find it.    This information came from the book The Calusa and Their Legacy: south Florida people and their environments. By Darcie MacMahon and William Marquardt. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 11, 2014, 10:21:55 pm

Quote from: PrimitiveTim on July 18, 2014, 01:33:08 pm

Very interesting thread.  I have messed with shells some but I need to explore more as there are plenty of shells around my area.  What do you know about shell spear points or arrow heads?

.

I ran across some research from the. Corpus Christi area of Texas where there were whelk columella points.  Whelk is incredibly hard stuff.  When the whorl is removed the long columella was heated in a fire to soften the shell some.  Then the columella was sharpened to a point.  Then it was trimmed to length.  These points are not terribly old in terms of age and were interpreted as arrow points. 

I have been skimming some archeological literature and have discovered some marine shell information.  Once I have more complete lists compiled I will share.  Certain shells were indeed used for specific uses.  Fun learning!

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 11, 2014, 10:33:02 pm

Here is the link.  http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/coast/nature/images/columela-points-AEA.html

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 11, 2014, 10:35:26 pm

This gulf quahog was actually knapped like it was flint!

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: JackCrafty on August 12, 2014, 07:21:39 pm

You gotta be careful when you look at "knapped" shell tools.  They could have been shaped buy scraping the shell quickly against a rough, jagged stone.  Not the same as knapping.

On the other hand, shell can be pressure flaked if the tool is hard enough (like a pointed stone) and you're careful.

Interesting photo!

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 13, 2014, 04:09:09 pm

Native American Uses for Shells

Marine Shells
Hammer/cutting ax/ war club:  Hammers would have utilized the full shell with holes for a handle insertion. Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch),  Melanongena colona (Florida crown conch), Strombus alatus (Florida fighting conch)  Cassis sp. (helmet shells), Strombus gigas (queen conch)
Celt/adze: Cut from the whorl of the shell. Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Busycon corica (knobbed whelk), Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch),  Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam) ), Strombus gigas (queen conch)
Scraper: Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam) ), Rangia cueta (common rangia), Macrocallista nimbosa (Sunray Venus clam), Crassostrea virginica (Oyster)
Awl: The columella is used for this tool.  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Crassostrea virginica (Oyster)
Digging tool: Crassostrea virginica (Oyster)
Arrow point:  Macrocallista nimbosa (Sunray Venus clam)
Spear point:  Macrocallista nimbosa (Sunray Venus clam)
Anvil: Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam)
Masher or crusher:  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Slim cutting tool:  this is a lot like a chisel.  Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch)
Chopper:  Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch), Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam)
Knife:  Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam), Crassostrea virginica (Oyster), Macrocallista nimbosa (Sunray Venus)
Weight: holes drilled in center to attach cord for attachment to nets or traps.  Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam), Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Rangia cueta (common rangia), Crassostrea virginica (Oyster), Macrocallista nimbosa (Sunray Venus)
Anchor:  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Sinker: These are interpreted as net sinkers but I would call them plummets.   I have experimented with attaching them to cord and they do not stay on with just a knot.  Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch)
Net gauge:  for standardizing size of net mesh.  Mercenaria campechiensis (quahog clam), Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch), 
Spinning whorl:  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Cup/dipper: Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch), Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Black drink cup: Engraved exterior - surprisingly inland Mississippian cultures did this more than coastal groups.  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Light/candle basin:  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk)
Gorget: Circular to oval shaped necklace ornament with engraved design.  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Pendant: Non oval, and sometimes unengraved necklace ornament.  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk),
Beads: Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Cerrithidea, sp.  (horn snail), Marginella conoidalis (Atlantic Marginella),  Olivella biplicata(purple dwarf olive)
Disk beads: Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Mercenaria mercenaria (venus mercenaria clam)
Pin:  Used to hold clothing or hair in place.  The columella was used for this.  Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Strombus alatus (Florida fighting conch)  Strombus gigas (queen conch), Haliotis sp. (abalone), Nucella lamellosa (Frilled Dogwinkle), Dentalium Sp. (tusk shells)
Food:   Busycon perversum (lightning whelk), Rangia cueta (common rangia), Pleuroploca gigantea (horse conch)


All of these items are documented in the following Sources:
Shell Artifacts from the Caloosahatchee Area, 1992. by William H, Marquardt, in the book Culture of the Calusa. 
Art in Shell by William Henry Holmes, 1923.
Prehistoric Shell Artifacts from the Apalachicola River Valley Area, Northwest Florida, Eric Eyles 2004, Master's thesis.
as well as the website  www.texasbeyondhistory.net

I hope some of you have other sources I can examine.  Notice I am heavy on southern US shells.  I have not dug into Pacific Coast yet.  If you have information please share it. 

I don't know about you folks but this inspires me to make some stuff!

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 13, 2014, 04:10:16 pm

now wouldn't it be cool to do this with Freshwater mussels? ;D

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: jcinpc on August 15, 2014, 12:13:47 am

since you have 2 pictures of my shell celts on here might as well throw a few more into the mix I have , busycon shell adze , Quahog shell anvil

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: jcinpc on August 15, 2014, 09:29:29 pm

here is a busycon shell cup I also dug out

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 17, 2014, 08:38:32 pm

great pix!  keep 'em coming.

Swamp Monkey

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Pat B on August 19, 2014, 05:02:30 pm

These are some whelk drills/points(?) I found falling out of a shell ring on an island near Bluffton, SC when we lived there. Most of the other points in this showcase were from there. You will also see the antler tine and other bone pieces along with the whelk pieces, all came from shell rings.
  FYI...I found the mummified rat in a bag of grass seed and the false teeth in an old dump area where my driveway is now.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/artifactshowcase004.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/PatBNC/media/artifactshowcase004.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 23, 2014, 11:28:53 am

A lightning whelk shell cutting tool, one made of a horse conch and a scraper made of a quahog.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on August 23, 2014, 11:30:17 am

Some more tools and a Calusa village just for grins.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: jcinpc on August 25, 2014, 03:29:49 am

Quote from: swamp monkey on August 23, 2014, 11:30:17 am

Some more tools and a Calusa village just for grins.

the shells are hammers, look at the blunted ends of the columnella and the quahog is just a broken fragment

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Billinthedesert on September 08, 2014, 08:05:11 pm

Anyone actually use whelk as an adze blade? How long does it stand up to wood before it needs sharpening?

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 09, 2014, 04:59:19 pm

I made a hammer/ax and have plans to make an adze and Celt. These will be for use not just show.  I hope to report how they work sometime next spring.    I want the full tool set to begin on a project.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Parnell on September 12, 2014, 02:13:22 pm

I live at ground zero for the Calusa tribe (Naples/Estero) and have done a lot of paddling, exploring and wondered about the use of shells for tools.  What has struck me is why the tribe didn't look to trade more or use any of the knappable FL rock.  They were supposedly powerful paddlers.  I've read they had the ability to make it to Cuba within 24 hours, wouldn't be surprised if some sort of sail power was involved.  If they were making it to Cuba - what resources may they have had there? Knappable rock isn't far outside of the Calusa territory.  I suppose shell worked just fine for them for their purposes.  Especially in light of the Calusa dugout canoe building they did.  A shell adze had to have been effective!

I've often wondered what they did with their dead.  I'd guess cremation because I haven't heard squat about burial areas or remains.
Sure wish there was an example of Calusa archery artifacts.  Sharks teeth points would have been the way to go but have wondered about the other details.  Probably cypress bows, potentially pop ash?  Myrsine makes good wooden native arrow shafts.  I wonder if they used bones from deer/panthers/manatee, etc...
Wouldn't be surprised if they were spear/atlatl folks more commonly than the bow.

Cool thread!

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 14, 2014, 03:49:06 pm

Parnell,  I visited Estero this summer!  Estero was my base of operations so to speak.  Traveled to Sanibel island, and Key Marco.  I got a much better appreciation for the environment they lived in.  This includes resources.  I realize the island vegetative communities have changed some, but it still helped walking the same beaches they stood on.  Also visited corkscrew swamp and some other wild places. 

I noticed rocks in the water that looked a lot like a loose grit limestone.  These looked like good grinding or pecking stones.   I began to wonder how they made holes in shell or cut out blanks.  Flint?  Shells?  Was this a striking effort or a grinding job?  I am certain they traded for what they wanted.  I suspect they may have been in charge of the marine shell trade with inland mound builders that were their contemporary.  Getting rocks should not have been a problem. What I don't have a good feel for is if they did trade for stones and if so how much?

Like you I realized there were no clear indications of archery use by the Calusa.  Atlalts have been found on Key Marco, but no bows and no arrows.  This by no means declares archery didn't occur, just that it is not definitive.   I am a native of Missouri so I have no earthly idea what half of those trees were down there, and certainly less knowledge of what might make a decent bow.  Your observations are interesting.  I have blanks cut for shell Celt and need to layout a shell adze.  My eventual goal is to craft a shell age bow using authentic tools.  Then I will paint it with Calusa inspired art and pigment.  I will likely use a Missouri wood because A)I have access to it, and B) it has to be a green tree to use the prehistoric technique. 

An experimental archeologist could keep a lot of students busy testing out hypotheses. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 02, 2015, 12:25:24 pm

I finally made time to mount the whelk shell adze blade to a handle with rawhide.  Next I will work on the celt and get it in a handle.  Then we test them out.   ;)

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 02, 2015, 12:27:33 pm

Shell debitage (waste material) didn't really go to waste.  I cooked it in a fire to cause it to delaminate.  Once ground, the powder and fine flakes can be used as pottery temper.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 02, 2015, 12:30:08 pm

I started working on a queen conch shell and made some blanks for two celts and several gorgets.  I love that pink nacre.  Do you call that nacre on marine shells?

handles were cut last spring and have seasoned so I am ready to wood work as soon as my blade is crafted. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on September 02, 2015, 01:01:02 pm

the freshwater shell debitage was also processed by placing them in a fire, crushing, and sifting to make pottery temper. 

I have also included a close up of a Mississippian era pottery pan that shows the mussel shell fragments.  the white flecks show up nicely in the grey clay.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Parnell on September 02, 2015, 04:08:05 pm

Fun to see an update on this.  Look forward to seeing any work you get done on I'd guess green wood?  Cool pictures.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on October 14, 2015, 09:07:26 pm

Conch shell celt and some handles for several different types of celts i am working on.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: Spotted Dog on October 15, 2015, 11:34:27 am

This is all very interesting to me.  When I was portraying a native warrior I used fresh water clam shells from the Mississippi
to mix my paints in and ate with a twisted clam shell . Which on one side was sharp enough to use as a knife.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: mullet on October 15, 2015, 01:31:41 pm

Swamp Monkey, A lot of the holes we see in the conch shells were done to remove the animal inside to eat. You can see this done everyday in Nassau, Bahamas where they sell fresh conch salad at street side stands. The pink portion of the shell is made into carved jewelry, also.

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on November 15, 2015, 12:51:57 pm

The first image below is the whelk adze at work.  This was a test for sharpness and edge durability.  I will work on sharpness.   Overall it worked fine.  I would like a little more weight to it tough. 

The next few images are a celt carved from a conch shell.  The handle is seasoned hickory with a woodpecker design I borrowed from the Calusa.  I tested it out too.  As with the adze i want to work on blade sharpness.  This is different than steel blade work, as I have to maintain a curved or convex edge so the shell can take the impact without breaking. 

Yes, I have a bigger project in mind than some little spout . . .  :) :) :)

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on November 15, 2015, 12:55:34 pm

Celt blades  must push on the front and back of the hole created for them.  This celt curves due to the shell I cut it from.  The photo makes it look like it is touching on the long sides of the hole but I assure you the only real contact is in the edges of the celt. 

Thanks for looking. 

Title: Re: Shell tool pondering
Post by: swamp monkey on November 15, 2015, 12:58:38 pm

Quote from: Spotted Dog on October 15, 2015, 11:34:27 am

This is all very interesting to me.  When I was portraying a native warrior I used fresh water clam shells from the Mississippi
to mix my paints in and ate with a twisted clam shell . Which on one side was sharp enough to use as a knife.

Spotted Dog,  Sorry I totally missed your question.  The recent images hopefully show which side of the celt I used for cutting.  The image of the shell blank didn't really chart my intentions.  Now if I misunderstood your question and you were asking what part of the conch I cut that from  . . . that is a different question and the answer is the part that creates the opening of the shell.  I can illustrate that if you need me to.  Sorry for the delay.  I wasn't trying to ignore you. 

Happy hunting ya'll.