Artifact of the Week: Stone Bowls
These stone bowls were found underwater many miles off shore. Their exact use is not known, but they indicate that the people of the Middle Holocene had ocean going boats. These bowls date to the La Jolla Tradition. During this…
Artifact of the Week: Grinding Stones
Grinding tools were used to process many materials, not just seeds. The grinding table is called the netherstone, and the tool held in the hand is called the handstone. This netherstone and handstone are examples of ground stone tools. There…
Artifact of the Week: Donut Stones
A very unique object found at La Jolla Tradition sites is donut stones. These are finely crafted tools that must have required hours of work. The exact use of donut stones is unknown. It is thought that these were used…
Artifact of the Week: Grinding Tools
Grinding tools of granitic stone were common for the Late Prehistoric Tradition. Local inhabitants used them to grind clay in preparation for pottery, acorns, and other foodstuffs. About 3,500 years ago, the region experienced a long period of widespread drought,…