Tatonka rib bone,...... sled runner?

larson1951 · Mar 14, 2011

I have found these buff rib bones in the field w/marks on the bottom area where it would normally ride on the snow and ice if it were a sled runner
also have read stuff that backs this way of thinking
here are some images so that you, my friends, can give me your opinion
here are a few images
see what you think,
any ideas, or

larson1951

tmodel · Mar 15, 2011

Larson1951... i have [3] ? ? ? s [[1]] how many bones are in the [7] photos? [[2]] how long are bones in photos. [[3]] are the bones broken i could not get a good look at any of the ends in the photos.. sure looks as if they could have been used as sled runners///// T.

Th3rty7 · Mar 15, 2011

Interesting piece there Lars, It reminds me of those ice gliders that you posted awhile back. Something game related maybe?

larson1951 · Mar 15, 2011

thanks tmodel
they are all images of the same piece
the ends are damaged by farm equipment (disc i think)
i have found quite a few and the scratches are always on the outside of the radius
the length of this piece is 15"
i've read that these were used for the front leading edge of the sled w/the rest was wood
thanks for your opinions
thanks Th3rty7, I know what you mean and agree w/you could be some winter game of some sort
steve

The Grim Reaper · Mar 15, 2011

Cool looking piece Steve. With all the snow you guys have up your way each year it would make sense that they had to have sleds to move things around on so I would bet you are right about those.

flintdigger · Mar 15, 2011

Steve those are interesting with the scratches from use. I can see where they could have been used for sled runner's. Very interesting find.

Jonzer · Mar 15, 2011

Fan-freakin-tastic.
I wanna visit the Lars Museum.

pickaway · Mar 15, 2011

Jonzer said:
Fan-freakin-tastic.
I wanna visit the Lars Museum.

I agree! Great finds ...

joshuaream · Mar 18, 2011

In college I worked in a ski shop tuning up skis, and snow/ice really chews up hard materials. I'd expect the wear to be going in the same direction, and see a lot more damage/wear if they were used as runners...

It's pretty cool seeing your finds again, you've truly got a great site!

Joshua

tmodel · Mar 18, 2011

Joshua!!!! for a short time could you forget about the skies you worked on,,, and think about the sled you rode as a child. you controlled it by bending the front part of the metal runner at an angle across the line of travel... with [2] piece runners would not the leading short runner be turned across line of travel, by pull rope that may have been attached to leading end of short lead runner? T.

larson1951 · Mar 18, 2011

the pictures i have seen show the sleds the Mandan used had about 8 or so front runners
but, who knows what

thanks,
steve

all_atv · Mar 18, 2011

Looks to me that it would make a great machete/cornknife type tool.

joshuaream · Mar 18, 2011

TModel!!!!!! We had round metal saucer sleds. I still think ice and snow would chew up the bone pretty quickly, but after looking up what Larson mentioned, I like with his idea.

I was thinking about the Alaskan Inuit sleds (which are something like you described.) Those two rails were usually made of walrus ivory and had to be changed regularly, and hence sled runners are a pretty common item (infact they are often sold for carving ivory not for being an artifact.)

Here is a picture of a toy sled apparently used by the Mandan. Pretty darn cool that Larson gets to find stuff like this in this day and age!

tmodel said:
Joshua!!!! for a short time could you forget about the skies you worked on,,, and think about the sled you rode as a child. you controlled it by bending the front part of the metal runner at an angle across the line of travel... with [2] piece runners would not the leading short runner be turned across line of travel, by pull rope that may have been attached to leading end of short lead runner? T.

tmodel · Mar 20, 2011

yes Joshua!!! these rib bones only may have been in use one winter as Larson said he found a lot of them and i was talking about what i grew up with.. a flat bed sled that you lay on your belly legs bent up so did not drag controlling with hands on t bar handles to guide, or sitting with feet on t bar bending just front of runner to guide your sled.... T.