Nice Illinois Plummet

[Hippy]

Here's an artifact type I don't see posted much. This is a well made, Godar drilled style plummet found in Jersey County, Illinois. It's made of hematite and very well polished.

Hippy

 

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[arrow86]

That’s a beautiful artifact

 

[unclemac]

how did you acquire it?

 

[Hippy]

how did you acquire it?

I purchased it from a good friend of mine.

 

[willjo]

Really nice piece, still looking to find one.

 

[quito]

Dang!! Nice one!!

How is the axe collection coming along?

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I have found quite a few Plummets over the years, but I have never found or seen that type in my area.

That is a really nice one Jeff.

 

[NCPeaches]

Super nice! I hope to find one someday.

 

[catherine1]

Hematite huh. That's stuff's like iron.......incredible. Nice artifact. Would like to know how many drills it took for the hole.....HH.

 

[A2coins]

Great artifact I want one also!!!!

 

[redbeardrelics]

That is an awesome example. Is there an accepted explanation of what these "plummets" are or were? What do you folks think?

 

[unclemac]

That is an awesome example. Is there an accepted explanation of what these "plummets" are or were? What do you folks think?

and here we go!

 

[joshuaream]

That's a good one. I bought a couple from Earl Townsend's sale but none as nice as that one. Great acquisition.

Joshua

 

[ToddsPoint]

Weights for bolos or nets is what I always heard. That's a nice one. Gary

 

[Rookster]

Very nice piece.

 

[Hippy]

Really nice piece, still looking to find one.

Good to hear from you! Unfortunately, we're getting snow already this year so axe finding is slow.

I haven't added as many axes, but tried to high grade some better examples. Since I've moved to Iowa a few years back, I'm really concentrating more on Iowa relics now. That mile difference across the river really changed things for me...LOL. Are you coming down this way any time soon?

Hippy

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

That is a beautiful plummet! That is something I do not have in my collection.

 

[Hippy]

and here we go!

Thanks Joshua! Townsend had some pretty nice ones, along with great examples of seemingly all artifact types. I really like the Godar style for some reason. The amount of work to make one must have been impressive.

How's the far east treating you? I loved visiting Honk Kong and it was probably my favorite city in SE Asia. Unfortunately, the vibrancy is probably dwindling a little each year. It would be interesting to see how the influences of the motherland are effecting things even from 5 years ago.

Hippy

 

[Hippy]

That is an awesome example. Is there an accepted explanation of what these "plummets" are or were? What do you folks think?

The most common explanation has been net weights and bolo stones as some have stated. Frankly, I don't buy into either theory so much. When you handle these things enough, you find they have features that you wouldn't expect. Most times they have a good amount of wear from handling or use. It's not the kind of wear you would expect from hitting the bottom of a river or creek bed, or after getting chucked around like a bolo stone. The wear is almost like use polish from handling. Additionally, net weights can be made in a couple of seconds by notching a piece of limestone or softer rock. Why go through the trouble of making beautiful objects just to lose them at the bottom of a waterway.

Personally, I believe they were likely used as loom weights. There is some prehistoric precedence shown for that usage of similar shaped objects. Yes, other things are certainly be used as loom weights. However, you stand a lot smaller chance of losing your loom weight compared to chucking a plummet off with a net or bolo. Also, the loom weight idea supports the handling wear that I see with many of these items. Loom weights are handled and subject to repeated, handling and gradual wear.

Unfortunately, we'll probably never know their exact use, but I think there's evidence to support a number of different ideas.

Hippy

 

[fishstick]

Great artifact I want one also!!!!

ME TOO BUD!!!!!!!