A friend sent me this today...
Rich I'm going to quote you some info on fire-starters from the Dictionary of Prehistoric Indian Artifacts of the American Southwest by Franklin Barnett.
" A firestart was made from a large unworked chunk of granite or other hard stone. It has a pitted surface consisting of a series of small holes 1 to 2 inches in diameter by 5/32 to 1/2 inch deep. Some pieces have only a few holes, while others may have as many as 14 to 16.
Small chips of wood or wood dust were placed in a hole. A hardwood stick was inserted, and by rotating the stick rapidly a small smoldering fire was generated. This was transferred to a previously prepared firepit or fireplace.
While these pieces are designated firestarts,it is also suggested that the series of small holes were made for the purpose of mixing pulverized stone or mineral paint pigment using each hole for a different color."
