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Anchor stones. The native tribes N. of Mexico used bark and skin boats, dugouts, and, in the extreme S.W. and on the California coast, balsas; and in the use of these frail craft for purposes of travel, transportation, fishing, hunting, and warfare, the necessity for some means of anchorage was felt. In shallow water with soft bottoms poles were often used; but of most general availability were stones that could be secured with a line and dropped from the vessel at any point. Commonly the stones thus used were simply bowlders or fragments of rock of proper weight, but in some cases the form was modified to facilitate attachment of the cord.

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[[caption]] ANCHOR STONE, ILLINOIS RIVER (DIAMETER 12 IN.) [[/caption]]

A simple encircling groove, mere notches in the margins, or a rude perforation, sufficed for the purpose; the former treatment gave to the utensil the appearance of a grooved hammer. Indeed, it probably often happened that these anchor stones were used as hammers or as mauls or sledges for heavy work when occasion required. It is observed also that some specimens have served as mortars or anvil stones, and no doubt also for grinding and shaping implements of stone. Stones of all available varieties were used, and the weight, so far as observed, rarely exceeds 40 or 50 pounds. The grooves or marginal notches were usually rudely pecked or chipped; but some show careful treatment, and in a number of cases a part of the whole of the surface of the stone has been worked down, probably for safety and convenience in handling, and in some cases as a result of the habit of reducing articles in common use to symmetrical and somewhat artistic shapes. 

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[[caption]] ANCHOR STONE IN USE BY CHIPPEWA (12 1-2 IN. LONG) [[/caption]]

Snyder records one case of the discovery of an anchor stone in an Indian grave. These stones are still used by Indians as well as by white people. Consult Snyder in Smithson. Rep. 1887, 1889; Rau in Smithson. Cont., XXV, 1884. (W. H. H.)

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