Bannerstone:
Bannerstones are artifacts usually found in the Eastern United States that are characterized by a centered hole in a symmetrically shaped carved or ground stone. The holes are typically ¼” to ¾” in diameter and extend through a raised portion centered in the stone. They usually are bored all the way through but some have been found with holes that extend only part of the way through. Many are made from banded slate or other colored hard stone. They often have a geometric “wing nut” or “butterfly” shape but are not limited to these. More than just functional artifacts, bannerstones are a form of art that appear in varying shapes, designs, and colors, symbolizing their ceremonial and spiritual importance. [Wikipedia]
I ran across this in an unfortunately print-only version in the July/August 2017 issue of Archaeology. The article, “Set In Stone,” by Eric A. Powell, suggests that bannerstones may have been used with atlatls, but not in the manner traditionally thought. Rather, hunters after white-tail deer and equipped with atlatls would have been required to hold certain poses while the deer, so suspicious, was lulled into a vulnerable position. The bannerstones would have worked as counterweights for the motionless hunter. Experimental work seems to support this idea.
And the article has some gorgeous pictures.
