I am researching some items that have been recovered by archaeologists in the past. I've never been
fortunate to find any but I am interested in finding others that may have. Maybe get some
fresh pictures.
The first picture is an item called a Southeastern Ceremonial Complex Tablet. Some archaeologists think it
is a picture of a spider but others have different ideas.
To me the circles represent the earth, which can sometimes be a turtle, surrounded by water, and the four lines eminating from it represent the four cardinal directions. Many tribes also recognized up and down, and I think one of the circles represents the up direction, and the one line that runs down to the geometric concentric squares at the end represent the down direction, which can also symbolize the Spirit World. I would say this is an object used by a Shaman, which states he is in touch with the Spirit World. On what I perceive to be the back of this object are a waxing and waning moon, with vertical lines that represent time. This would represent more of the Shamans work at keeping track of the calendar of events in the tribe, and rituals to be performed at specific times of the year according to a Lunar calendar. I would guess this was a worn object, and would say it is oriented in its proper position in the photos. I would say that the single hole at the top was for a attachement to go around the neck, and the holes on the side are for going around the body, so this would be worn something like a breastplate, and indicate rank, position, etc... This looks like something from the Mound Builder Society, and appears to be of metal. Can you tell me more of this item? I have no idea what the pendulum objects might represent.
What you wrote is he most meaningful interpretation, I have read on this artifact.
I see you are near Atlanta. Have you been up to Cartersville and visited the Etowah Mounds? I went there once and meditated on top of the mounds. I like to visit mounds and when I am not in intellectual mode I like to zone out and let all thoughts out of my mind and center my mind on the stillness of the area.
Are you able to do a search on my name to find my postings here at TN? I have posted other comments with pictures of
artifacts in the Copper Culture and the Florida Treasure Hunting discussion groups.
I also moderate a archaeology forum on Yahoo. If you get a chance stop by and check out our collection of Ancient Indian
artifacts.
Here is a picture of a typical plummet. These plumments are found all over the USA in Indian Mounds. Lot's of different opinions on what
they were used for. Academics tell you they may have been used as sinkers for fish nets. I want to get your theory before I tell you
what I think they were used for.
I have a set of pictures of different ones. Let me know if you want to see more of them before you give me your thoughts on them.
Hello ourhistory153; I am Cherokee, sometimes the Red section of my brain takes over and I get that kind of info off of objects. Thanks for the compliment, I have a hard time communicating this type of information to people who are not Indian. I think you are very perceptive and well suited for investigating the Native American cultures. I thought about those two pendulum objects on the breastplate last night and still drew a blank. When I saw the picture you posted today of the pendulum object that is thought to be a fishing net weight by some, I received another impression about the pendulums in general. I'm sure you realize that the little groove on the top would make a less than secure attachment for a weight for a fishing net, a stone with a hole through it would be much better for a fish net, and require less energy to make. Nobody wants to expend a lot of time and energy carving out a pendulum shape in stone and casting it with a net where it will soon end up on the bottom of the body of water you are fishing on, and that is exactly what would happen with this pendulum if it were used that way. I think the pendulum in your post, and the two pendulums on the breastplate are Shamanic devices used by Shamans to divine with, and use in contact with the Spirit World, two such objects pictured would mean balance between the two worlds. What do you think it, they are? I have been to Etowah Mounds several times, and really enjoyed it, there are several other large Mound complexes in GA at Kolomoki, some are near Macon, and some are near Columbus, and many other smaller sites scattered about the state. I'll check out some of your posts and other site material, and let you know what I think, Take care - Slingshot
Yes I agree with you, I think they were divination tools or maybe charms.
The early pioneers used to use a technique called "water witching" which they said they got from the natives. This crude
form of divination uses a Y shaped stick to find underground water. So we know the native cultures used 'divination'.
I showed one pennant from California to my girlfriend, "Oh that is a dildo, Ray"
So maybe they may be shaped the same way but perhaps used for different purposes.
See next message with new artifact pic, I'd like your impressions on.
Thats a tough one to work out. It looks to be a creation design, as when the Great Spirit blew the mists and fogs away with a mighty wind from where the people existed in darkness. I would say the concentric circles in the center would be a representation of the cosmos in general - all creation. Then you have four distinct sections representing the cardinal directions. The eyes, representing the Great Spirit, are set in clouds which are whirling in a counter-clockwise direction, which indicates the supernatural. The fog - clouds were blown away from the cosmos, and we the people are now able to live in the light.
Thats a tough one to work out. It looks to be a creation design, as when the Great Spirit blew the mists and fogs away with a mighty wind from where the people existed in darkness. I would say the concentric circles in the center would be a representation of the cosmos in general - all creation. Then you have four distinct sections representing the cardinal directions. The eyes, representing the Great Spirit, are set in clouds which are whirling in a counter-clockwise direction, which indicates the supernatural. The fog - clouds were blown away from the cosmos, and we the people are now able to live in the light.
I think that you will be hard pressed to find a better explanation of this plate. I think that in general the meaning is that "HE" is all seeing.
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Originally Posted by pickaway
