question from lars

[larson1951]

has anyone ever had any info on buffalo skull with a hole about1" drilled in top center??

were they used as a headdress??
help me out please
lars

 

[all_atv]

I would think that would be way to heavy and uncomfortable to use as a headress as a whole but maybe if it was just the top of skull with the horns.
But I would lean more towards it being made to fit on the top of a post or stake as decoration or ceremonial.
I'm not very familiar with a buffalo skull but a cows skull would probably sit on a post much better if it were drilled like you are describing, because of all the bones on the bottom of the skull.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I have never seen one but I do know they wore parts of wolf and bear skulls as part of a ceremony here in Ohio.

Anyway you can get a picture of it?

 

[geo4472]

sharps used .40 and .50 caliber cartridges in their buffalo rifles are you sure it isnt a hole from one of those?

 

[larson1951]

thanks geo, i was thinking about it
but 2 things:
how woulld they shoot a hole dead center like that and if so they would be so close up that you would think it would make spider-fractures
in the area around the hole
look closely and tell me if you think this looks more like it was drilled' K?
lars

 

[The Grim Reaper]

That hole doesn't really look drilled to me. I have to agree with the bullet hole theory.

 

[uniface]

If the inside (exit hole) is way bigger than the outside (entrance), bullet.

Otherwise, drilled.

 

[larson1951]

thanks,
yes the hole is for sure drilled
not a bullet hole

 

[flintdigger]

Interesting piece Larson !!! It look's a little raged around the edge, if it was a bullet hole and was shot a fairly close range the hole would be more even and round and the exit in the back wouldn't spinter around the edges it look's drilled to me.