More broken slate

[dognose]

Here are a few broken gorgets

Drilled from only one side.

This one has salvage holes. Sort of cool when they have these.

 

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[newnan man]

That kind of stuff is so interesting. What stories must go along with them?

 

[dognose]

A relic bud found those close to the Indiana Ohio line. A long time back.

 

[MAMucker]

I have only found a center section of a polished slate piece that I think was a Gorget. There’s one nice hole drilled from both sides.

 

[dognose]

very nice. Nice color.
Very good study pieces.

 

[dognose]

I see a lot of smooth edges on both sides which make me think this was broken a long time.

Here is a broken gorget with a lot of age mineralization in the break.

 

[MAMucker]

I have read in our old MAS (Massachusetts Archaeological Society) publications the designation of "Killed" artifacts. This one was found in a well-used agricultural field. And, though the field was repeatedly plowed for likely a hundred+ years, I can't imagine that it was broken like that by a plow blade.
I can see it getting knocked around, scratched and scarred up, but jeesh!
I did put a coat of mineral oil on it to bring out the color before adding it to your post. It was chalky and bluish before I did.
Also, as far as purpose, It seems a bit heavy to be hung around someone's neck. Unlike your thinned down version, this one is quite thick. Maybe it was just for the powwow. I do have one other Gorget that is whole. It is also thin (two pieces glued together, found on different hunts). Also, I don't think it's made of slate.

 

[MAMucker]

I see a lot of smooth edges on both sides which make me think this was broken a long time.

Here is a broken gorget with a lot of age mineralization in the break.

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The Jury is still out on the specific use for these artifacts. Some say adornment, or breastplate armor. Others speculate that they were used to protect the archer’s forearm from bowstring abrasion.
As these are not found in the contact period, there are no witness drawings, written records, or folklore to draw from.