Artifact of the Week: Polishing Stones

Pottery first appears in the archaeological record during the Late Holocene. The people of the Late Prehistoric Tradition made pots to store water, foodstuffs, and personal items. The pottery was created with the coiling technique, and the polishing stones were used to smooth the surface prior to firing the pot.

The Late Prehistoric Tradition introduced pottery and baskets to San Diego. They also made cordage for fishing line, carrying bags, and rope from yucca and other plant fibers. Although rarely preserved in the archaeological record, the woven fragments that do survive demonstrate inventive methods to produce practical and decorative goods for immediate use and for trade.

Date: Late Prehistoric Tradition (3,000 ya – 300 ya)
Material Class: Lithics

Want to learn more? Visit the exhibit By Land and By Sea currently on view at the Center.