Mortar and pestle. These artifacts were used for food preparation. Native American women pounded dried corn into meal or flour by hand using these heavy stone tools. Material: Stone. Region: Illinois. MCHS objects 1990-001-0046 (mortar) and 1990-001-0047 (pestle).Arrowhead. The shape of this arrowhead is unusual, making it hard to identify. Arrowheads of this tiny size indicate hunting with bows and arrows rather than spears. Material: Chert — colorful Crescent Burlington. MCHS object 1990-001-0005.Banner stone. A few hundred years ago, local Native Americans used this banner stone as a weight for hunting with an atlatl spear. Material: Stone, Dongola chert? Region: Midwest U.S. Culture: Illinois? MCHS object 1990-001-0035.Hook. Although the local Native Americans ate a lot of fish, they used nets and spears for fishing instead of fishing rods. They likely used hooks like this to hang or clip something. Material: Burlington chert. Region: Illinois? MCHS object 1990-001-0021.Duck effigy bowl. This bowl has a very distinct head and tail of a duck. The little white specs in the clay tell us that the artist used shell temper to make it. Material: Ceramic, shell temper. Region: Fulton County, Illinois. Culture: Cahokian? (CE 900-1400). MCHS object 1990-001-0050.
