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Stone Artifacts of Southeastern Alaska

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Edward L. Keithahn*
Affiliation:
Alaska Historical Library and Museum, Juneau, Alaska

Abstract

The fact that Northwest Coast Indians obtained iron for tool making at least 175 years ago makes it unlikely that any literate person ever saw stone edge tools in use in this area, or even talked with an Indian who had seen them in use. Thus, interpretation of the function of stone tools in southeast Alaska is based on an estimate of the type of tools needed for the known aboriginal industries, experimental use of the tools, and Indian tradition. The use of 25 stone artifact types is discussed, including adzes and similar tools, mauls and hammers, mortars and pestles, lamps and pipes, clubs and fighting tools, projectile points, and ornaments.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1962

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