Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/116

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RUSSELL]
ARTIFACTS
111

Arrowheads

A great portion of those used by the Pimas were made by the Hohokam. However, the Pimas always had a few arrowhead makers who worked in obsidian, shale, or flint. They produced small heads varying from 1 to 2½ cm. in length by 1 in breadth. Those represented in figure 30 are old points. The heads are stemless, sometimes having shoulders for the sinew seizing. One man was found who continues to make arrowheads, which he sells to the whites.

Arrow-shaft Straightener

The Pimas had very little need for grooved stones for straightening arrows as the arrowwood is naturally as straight as could be desired. It is probable that the stones of this kind found in the ruins were used merely for polishing. The Pimas used them scarcely at all.[1]

Hammer Stones

These are frequently seen around the ruins of Arizona, but the Pimas seem to have little use for them.

Fig. 32. Crystals from medicine basket.

Firestones

Three stones, each about 15 cm. in diameter, were used to support the cooking pots over the fire. They have been largely supplanted by an iron frame obtained from the agency blacksmith. These stones were picked up when needed and little effort made to preserve then.

Crystals

Crystals and curiously shaped stones of all kinds were preserved in the outfits of the medicine-men. Several such specimens were purchased and some were found in a cache among the hills (fig. 32).[2]


  1. A specimen (Hohokam) in the collection (fig. 31) has been shaped to represent some animal (?). It is 92 mm. long and 60 mm. wide.
  2. Compare Cushing: "In this connection it is interesting to add as of possible moment suggestively that associated with the ultra mural remains [in the Salt River valley], both house- and pyral-, were found small, peculiar concretion-stones and crystals evidently once used as personal fetiches or amulets, as is the case at Zuñi to-day." Congrès International des Américanistes, VIIme sess., 1890, 179.