Bird stone

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For the race horse, see Birdstone

Bird stones are prehistoric, abstract stone carvings made by Native Americans. The artifacts were a common inclusion in graves and thought to have ceremonial importance. They are noted for their distinctive simplicity and beauty.

The exact purpose of these artifacts is not known, but most have a small hole drilled at the base of the neck, presumably for mounting. Some theories suggest they were part of an atlatl, in addition to their ceremonial uses [1].

Bird stones were mostly made east of the Mississippi, and have unique variations in style. Most are ground from banded slate [2].

[edit] External links

• Bird stone example at the Cincinnati Art Museum
• Central States Archaeological Societies bird stone articles