by John M. Selmer, Herndon, Virginia
Volume 68, Number 3, July 2021 Central States Archaeological Journal
This undamaged effigy pendant (Fig. 1) has great polish and is expertly fashioned from green banded slate. It was found in Huron County, Ohio and measures 2¼” long by 1⅛” wide by ⅜” thick. The effigy appears to be that of a split bear tooth and to the author’s knowledge is the only one he knows of.
The top is rounded while the bottom is pointed like a tooth. The right side is thick and rounded while the left side tapers to almost a cutting edge. The front is humped while the back is cupped. The little notch on the left edge mimics where the tooth enamel would start.
There are three holes that are all conically drilled from the back. The two smaller holes are perhaps just for decoration or for possibly hanging a feather dangle or a short string of shell beads. There are two deeply engraved lines from the top hanging hole to the other holes with some finely incised lines along the engraved lines (8 from the top hole to the lower hole and 13 from the top hole to the middle hole).
At top: Figure 1. Both faces of the split bear tooth effigy pendant. It is shown enlarged to highlight the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Collection of the Author