The Archaeology of the Yakima Valley
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Title: The Archaeology of the Yakima Valley
Author: Harlan Ingersoll Smith
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ANTHROPOLOGICAL PAPERS
OF THE
American Museum of Natural
History.
Vol. VI, Part I.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE YAKIMA VALLEY.
BY
HARLAN I. SMITH.
NEW YORK:
Published by Order of the Trustees.
June, 1910.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL PAPERS
OF THE
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
VOL. VI, PART I.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE YAKIMA VALLEY.
BY HARLAN I. SMITH.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 7
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 9
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 11
RESOURCES 21
THE SECURING OF FOOD 23
Points Chipped out of Stone 23
Points Rubbed out of Stone 26
Points Rubbed out of Bone 27
Bows 29
Snares 29
Notched Sinkers 30
Grooved Sinkers 30
Shell Heaps 34
Digging Sticks 35
Basketry 35
PREPARATION OF FOOD 36
Mortars 36
Pestles 39
Rollers 47
Fish Knives 50
Fire Making 50
Caches 51
Boiling 51
HABITATIONS 51
Semi-subterranean House Sites 51
Circles of Stones (Summer House Sites) 55
TOOLS USED BY MEN 57
Wedges 57
Hammerstones 58
Celts 62
Hand-Adze 64
Whetstones 65
Drills 66
Scrapers 67
Arrow-shaft Smoothers 69
TOOLS USED BY WOMEN 69
Scrapers Chipped from Stone 69
Scrapers Rubbed from Bone 71
Awls Rubbed from Bone 71
Needles 72
Mat-Pressers 73
PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURE 74
LIFE HISTORIES OF MANUFACTURED OBJECTS 74
WAR 75
Implements used in Warfare 75
Grooved Pebbles, Club-Heads, or Sinkers 75
Stone Clubs 76
'Slave-Killers' 80
War Costume 82
Fortifications 82
Wounds 82
DRESS AND ADORNMENT 83
Skins 83
Matting 84
Ornaments 87
Combs 87
Beads 88
Dentalium Shells 90
Pendants 92
Bracelets 99
A Costumed Human Figure 100
Deformation 105
GAMES, AMUSEMENTS, AND NARCOTICS 105
Games 105
Narcotics 106
ART 117
Paintings 119
Petroglyphs 121
Incised Designs 124
Notches 130
Circle and Dot Designs 130
Pecked Grooves 132
Animal and Human Forms 132
Coast Art 136
METHOD OF BURIAL 138
Burials in Domes of Volcanic Ash 138
Rock-slide Graves 139
Cremation Circles 142
Position of the Body 142
Property with the Dead 142
Horse Sacrifices 143
Diseases 143
CONCLUSION 143
BIBLIOGRAPHY 149
APPENDIX 152
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
I. Chipped Points. Fig. 1 (Museum No. 202-8333), length 21 cm.;
Fig. 2 (202-8338); Fig. 3 (202-8334).
II. Chipped Points. Fig. 1 (Museum No. 202-8115), length 3.8 cm.;
Fig. 2 (202-8169 A); Fig. 3 (202-8196 A); Fig. 4 (202-8196 B);
Fig. 5 (202-8142); Fig. 6 (202-8397); Fig. 7 (202-8366); Fig. 8
(202-8363); Fig. 9 (202-8368); Fig. 10 (202-8361); Fig. 11
(202-8359); Fig. 12 (202-8222); Fig. 13 (202-8203): Fig. 14
(202-8360).
III. Quarry near Naches River.
House Site near Naches River.
IV. House Sites near Naches River.
V. Camp Sites near Sentinal Bluffs.
VI. Fort near Rock Creek.
Rock-Slide Grave on Yakima Ridge.
VII. Terraced Rock-Slide on Yakima Ridge.
VIII. Rock-Slide Graves on Yakima Ridge.
IX. Cremation Circle near Mouth of Naches River.
Grave in Dome of Volcanic Ash near Tampico.
X. Opened Grave in Dome of Volcanic Ash near Tampico.
XI. Petroglyphs near Sentinal Bluffs.
XII. Petroglyphs in Selah Canon.
XIII. Petroglyph in Selah Canon.
Petroglyph near Wallula Junction.
XIV. Pictographs at Mouth of Cowiche Creek.
XV. Pictographs at Mouth of Cowiche Creek.
XVI. Pictographs at Mouth of Cowiche Creek.
TEXT FIGURES.
PAGE.
1. Chipped Point made of Chalcedony 24
2. Chipped Point made of Chalcedony 25
3. Chipped Point made of White Chalcedony 25
4. Serrated Chipped Point made of Petrified Wood 25
5. Chipped Point made of Obsidian 26
6. Fragment of a leaf-shaped Point made of Chert 26
7. Point made of Bone 28
8. Point made of Bone 28
9. Scorched Point made of Bone 28
10. Point made of Bone 28
11. Point or Barb made of Bone 28
12. Point or Barb made of Bone 28
13. Net Sinkers made of Pebbles 31
14. Sinker, a Grooved Boulder bearing a Design in Intaglio 31
15. Sinker, a Grooved Boulder bearing a Design in Intaglio 33
16. Sinker, a Perforated Boulder 33
17. Fragment of Basket of Splint Foundation and Bifurcated Stitch 35
18. Fragment of a Mortar made of Stone 35
19. Mortar made of Stone 37
20. Mortar made of Stone 38
21. Pestle made of Stone 40
22. Pestle pecked from Stone 40
23. Pestle pecked from Stone 40
24. Pestle made of Stone 42
25. Pestle made of Stone 42
26. Pestle made of Stone 44
27. Pestle made of Stone 44
28. Pestle made of Stone 44
29. Pestle made of Stone 46
30. Pestle made of Sandstone 46
31. Pestle made of Stone 46
32. Pestle made of Stone 48
33. Pestle made of Stone 48
34. Pestle made of Stone 48
35. Pestle made of Steatite 49
36. Pestle or Roller made of Stone 49
37. Pestle or Roller made of Stone 49
38. Fragment of Hearth of Fire Drill 50
39. Wedge made of Antler 57
40. Hammerstone 59
41. Hammerstone 60
42. Hammerstone made of a Hard, Water-worn Pebble 60
43. Hammerstone 60
44. Hammerstone made of a Close-Grained Yellow Volcanic Pebble 62
45. Celt made of Serpentine 62
46. Hand-Adze made of Stone 64
47. Point for a Drill, chipped from Chalcedony 66
48. Point for a Drill, chipped from Chert 66
49. Scraper chipped from Petrified Wood 68
50. Scraper chipped from Agate 68
51. Scraper chipped from Chalcedony 68
52. Scraper chipped from Chalcedony 68
53. Scraper chipped from a Flat Circular Pebble 70
54. Scraper or Knife chipped from a Pebble 70
55. Scraper or Knife chipped from a Pebble 71
56. Awl made of Bone 72
57. Awl made of Bone 72
58. Spatulate Object made of Bone 72
59_a_. Object made of Steatite, probably a Mat Presser.
_b_. Part of Incised Pictograph on Object shown in _a_ 73
60. Grooved Pebble 76
61. Club-head or Sinker made of Lava 76
62. Club made of Serpentine 77
63. Club made of Serpentine 77
64. Club made of Stone 79
65. Club made of Stone 79
66. Club made of Stone 79
67. Club made of Stone 81
68. Club made of Stone 81
69. War Implement or Slave Killer, made of Friable Stone 81
70. Diagram of Stitch of Fragment of Rush Matting 84
71_a_. Fragment of Matting, made of Twined Rush stitched
together with twisted Cord.
_b_ Diagram of Stitch of _a_ 85
72. Fragment of Open-Twine Matting, made of Rush 87
73. Comb made of Antler 88
74. Beads made of Copper, Glass and Sections of Dentalium Shells 89
75. Bead made of Brass 90
76. Beads made of Shell 90
77. Drilled and Perforated Disk made of Slate 92
78. Pendant made of Copper, Thong and Copper Bead 92
79. Button made of Shell with Attached Bead made of Metal 92
80. Perforated Disk made of Bone 92
81. Pendants made of Slate 93
82. Pendant made of Copper 95
83. Pendant made of Copper 95
84. Pendant made of Brass and Bead made of Copper 95
85. Pendant made of Iron 96
86. Pendant made of Iron 96
87. Pendant or Bead made of an Olivella Shell 96
88. Pendant made of (_Pectunculus_) Shell 96
89. Pendant made of Iridescent Shell 98
90. Pendant made of (_Haliotis_) Shell 98
91. Pendant made of (_Haliotis_) Shell 98
92. Pendant or Nose Ornament, made of (_Haliotis_) Shell 98
93. Pendant made of Shell 99
94. Pendant made of Oyster Shell 99
95. Bracelet made of Copper 100
96. Bracelet made of Iron 100
97. Bone Tube 106
98. Bone Tube bearing Incised Lines, Charred 106
99. Perforated Cylinder made of Steatite 106
100. Tubular Pipe made of Steatite 106
101. Tubular Pipe made of Green Stone with Stem 107
102. Pipe made of Steatite used by the Thompson River Indians
at Spences Bridge in 1895 109
103. Form of the Flange-Shaped Mouth of the Bowl of some
Thompson River Indian Pipes 109
104. Tubular Pipe made of Steatite 112
105. Fragment of a Sculptured Tubular Pipe made of Steatite 112
106. Pipe made of Limestone 112
107. Pipe made of Sandstone 112
108. Pipe made of Bluestone 112
109. Pipe made of Stone 112
110. Pipe made of Soft Sandstone 114
111. Pipe made of Steatite 114
112. Pipe made of Soft Sandstone 114
113. Pipe made of Steatite 116
114_a_. Incised Design on a Fragment of a Wooden Bow.
_b_ Section of Fragment of Bow shown in _a_ 125
115. Incised Design on Bowl of Pipe shown in Fig. 107 126
116. Incised Design on Stone Dish 126
117. Incised Designs on Dentalium Shells 126
118. Incised Designs on Dentalium Shells 126
119. Incised Pendant made of Steatite with Red Paint (Mercury)
in some of the Holes and Lines 127
120. Circle and Dot Design on Whetstone made of Slate 133
121. Costumed Human Figure made of Antler 133
122. Quill-flattener made of Antler 133
123. Fragments of a Figure 133
124. Fragment of a Sculpture with Hoof-like Part 134
125. Sculptured Animal Form made of Lava 134
126. Handle of Digging Stick made of Horn of Rocky Mountain Sheep 135
127. Pipe made of Stone 136
128. Sculptured and Inlaid Pipe made of Steatite with Wooden Stem 137
129. Sketch Map of the Yakima Valley 152
INTRODUCTION.
The following pages contain the results of archaeological investigations
carried on by the writer for the American Museum of Natural History from
May to August, 1903,[1] in the Yakima Valley between Clealum of the
forested eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains and Kennewick, between
the mouths of the Yakima and Snake Rivers in the treeless arid region,
and in the Columbia Valley in the vicinity of Priest Rapids. My
preliminary notes on the archaeology of this region were published in
Science.[2] Definite age cannot be assigned to the archaeological finds,
since here, as to the north, the remains are found at no great depth or
in soil the surface of which is frequently shifted. Some of the graves
are known to be of modern Indians, but many of them antedate the advent
of the white race in this region or at least contain no objects of
European manufacture, such as glass beads or iron knives. On the other
hand, there was found no positive evidence of the great antiquity of any
of the skeletons, artifacts or structures found in the area. The greater
part of the area was formerly inhabited by Sahaptian speaking people,
including the Yakima, Atanum, Topinish, Chamnapum, and Wanapum, while
the northern part of it was occupied by the Piskwans or Winatshmpui of
the Salish linguistic stock.[3]
[1] A brief report of the operations of this expedition appeared in
the American Museum Journal, Vol. IV, No. 1, pp. 12-14, January,
1904. It was slightly revised and appeared in Science N. S. Vol.
XIX, No. 484, pp. 579-580, April 8, 1904, and Records of the Past,
Vol. IV, Part 4, pp. 119-127, April 1905.
[2] N. S. Vol. XXIII, No. 588, p. 551-555, April 6, 1906. Reprinted
in the Seattle Post Intelligencer for March, 1906, the Scientific
American Supplement, Vol. LXII, No. 1602, September 15, 1906, and in
the Washington Magazine, Vol. I, No. 4, June 1906. Abstracted in the
Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, May, 1906.
[3] Mooney, Plate LXXXVIII
Near North Yakima we examined graves in the rock-slides along the Yakima
and Naches Rivers; a site, where material, possibly boulders, suitable
for chipped implements had been dug and broken with pebble hammers, on
the north side of the Naches about one mile above its mouth; pictographs
on the basaltic columns on the south side of the Naches River to the
west of the mouth of Cowiche Creek; petroglyphs pecked into basaltic
columns in Selah Canon; ancient house sites on the north side of the
Naches River near its mouth, and on the north side of the Yakima River
below the mouth of the Naches; remains of human cremations, each
surrounded by a circle of rocks on the point to the northwest of the
junction of the Naches and Yakima Rivers; recent rock-slide graves on
the eastern side of the Yakima River above Union Gap below Old Yakima
(Old Town); the surface along the eastern side of the Yakima River, as
far as the vicinity of Sunnyside; graves in the domes of volcanic ash in
the Ahtanum Valley near Tampico; and rock-slide graves in the Cowiche
Valley.
We then moved our base about thirty miles up the Yakima River to
Ellensburg, Mr. Albert A. Argyle examining the surface along the western
side, en route. From Ellensburg, rock-slide graves and human remains,
surrounded by circles of rocks, as well as a village site upon the
lowland, were examined near the mouth of Cherry Creek. A day spent at
Clealum failed to develop anything of archaeological interest in that
vicinity, except that a human skeleton had been removed in the sinking
of a shaft for a coal mine.
From Ellensburg we went to Fort Simcoe by way of North Yakima and near
the Indian Agency observed circles of rocks, like those around the
cremated human remains near North Yakima, and a circular hole surrounded
by a ridge, the remains of an underground house. Crossing the divide
from Ellensburg and going down to Priest Rapids in the Columbia Valley,
no archaeological remains were observed except chips of stone suitable
for chipped implements which were found on the eastern slope of the
divide near the top and apparently marked the place where material for
such implements, probably float quartz, had been quarried. On the
western side of the Columbia, on the flat between Sentinal Bluffs and
the river at the head of Priest Rapids, considerable material was found.
This was on the surface of the beach opposite the bluffs and on a
village site near the head of Priest Rapids. Graves in the rock-slides,
back from the river about opposite this site, were also examined. Some
modern graves were noticed in a low ridge near the river, a short
distance above the village site. Crossing the Columbia, some material
was found on the surface of the beach and further up, petroglyphs pecked
in the basaltic rocks at the base of Sentinal Bluffs were photographed.
The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. D. W. Owen of
Kennewick for information, for permission to examine his collection, to
make notes and sketches of specimens in it, and for presenting certain
specimens;[4] to Mr. Frank N. McCandless of Tacoma for permission to
study and photograph the specimens[5] in his collection containing part
of the York collection in the Ferry Museum, City Hall, Tacoma; to Mr.
Louis O. Janeck of 415 North 2nd. St., North Yakima for information and
for permission to study and photograph the specimens[6] in his
collection as well as for supplementary information since received from
him; to Hon. Austin Mires of Ellensburg for information and permission
to study and photograph specimens[7] in his collection; to Mrs. O.
Hinman of Ellensburg for permission to photograph specimens[8] in her
collection; to Mrs. J. B. Davidson of Ellensburg for information and
permission to study her collection and to make drawings of specimens[9]
in it, and for the pipe shown in Fig. 106; to Mr. W. H. Spalding of
Ellensburg for permission to photograph specimens[10] in his collection;
to Mrs. Jay Lynch of Fort Simcoe, for information and permission to
photograph specimens[11] in her collection; to Mr. W. Z. York of Old
Yakima for permission to sketch and study specimens[12] in his
collection, and to others credited specifically in the following pages.
The accompanying drawings are by Mr. R. Weber and the photographs are by
the author, unless otherwise credited.
[4] See Figs. 10, 39, 42, 56, 57, 107 and 124.
[5] See Figs. 35, 45, 79, 100 and 113.
[6] See Figs. 19, 20, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 46, 58, 60, 61, 63, 64,
65, 66, 67, 69, 81, 108, 109, 120 and 125.
[7] See Figs. 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25, 32 and 44.
[8] See Figs. 30, 36 and 116.
[9] See Figs. 8, 47 and 106; see also p. 25.
[10] See Figs. 11 and 59.
[11] See Figs. 73, 119, 127 and 128.
[12] See Figs. 26, 29, 104, 110, 111 and 112.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION.
Clealum is situated on the Yakima River, at a point on the Northern
Pacific Railway, 122 miles east of the humid, heavily forested coast at
Puget Sound. Although situated not over 154 miles from Copalis, on the
ocean at the western edge or furthest limit of the temperate humid coast
country, the summers are hot and dry and the winters severe. It is 1909
feet above the sea level and far enough towards the summit of the
Cascade Mountains, that marks the line between the humid coast and the
arid almost treeless interior, to find considerable moisture and many
trees.
Ellensburg is situated near the eastern side of the Yakima River, 25
miles below Clealum, at an altitude of 1512 feet above the sea level and
in the wide somewhat flat Kittitas Valley which was, in former geologic
times, a lake bottom. The river flows rapidly and its low banks at
places are high enough to form gravel bluffs. The surrounding country is
arid and there is no natural forest growth.
Cherry Creek, one of a number of small streams on this side of the
river, flows through the eastern part of this valley, and empties into
the Yakima River about one mile below Thrall on Section 31, Town 17,
North of Range 19 East. Here, the river enters Yakima Canon which cuts
through Umptanum Ridge and the western foothills of Saddle Mountains.
There are some pines in this canon.
Selah Creek flows through Selah Canon from the east and empties into the
Yakima, about one mile above Selah at the northwest corner of Section
16, Town 14, north of Range 19 East. This is in a broad valley below
Yakima Canon. At the time of our visit, however, the lower portion of
this creek was dry. Wenas Creek empties into the Yakima from the west,
nearly opposite Selah.
North Yakima is on the western side of the Yakima River, about two miles
below the mouth of the Naches, which empties into the Yakima from the
west, immediately below where the latter breaks through Yakima Ridge.
This break is called the Gap or the Upper Gap. North Yakima is at an
altitude of 1067 feet above the sea level. The soil of the valley is
made up of a rich volcanic ash and the region is arid and practically
treeless except on the banks of the rivers and creeks or where
irrigation has been successfully practised. The climate in most respects
resembles that of the southern interior of British Columbia, lying to
the north, but in general, there is less vegetation except on irrigated
land.
Cowiche Creek flows from the southwest and empties into the south side
of the Naches, at a point about three miles above its mouth.
Tampico is situated on Section 17, Town 12, north of Range 16 East, on
the north side of Ahtanum Creek, which flows nearly east along the base
of the north side of Rattlesnake Range and empties into the Yakima at
Union Gap or Lower Gap, below Old Yakima.
Fort Simcoe is located in a cluster of live oak trees, on one of the
branches of Simcoe Creek, which flows in an easterly direction and
empties into the Toppenish River, a western feeder of the Yakima. This
place is at an altitude of 937 feet above the sea level and is
surrounded by 'scab' land. Going west from Fort Simcoe, up the slopes of
the Cascade Mountains, a mile or so, one notices timber in the valleys,
and as one proceeds still further up the mountains, the timber becomes
thicker and of greater size. This is the beginning of the forest, which
at the west side of the Cascades becomes so remarkably dense. To the
east of Fort Simcoe, however, no trees are seen, except in the bottoms
along the streams, while on the lower reaches of the Yakima and on the
banks of the Columbia, east of here, there are absolutely no trees.
Kennewick is located on the western side of the Columbia River about six
miles below the mouth of the Yakima. It is opposite Pasco, which is
about three miles above the mouth of Snake River. The place is only 366
feet above the sea level and except where irrigation has been practised,
there are no trees in sight, the vegetation being that typical of the
desert among which are sagebrush, grease-wood and cactus. Lewis and
Clark, when here on their way to the Pacific Coast, October 17,
1805,[13] saw the Indians drying salmon on scaffolds for food and fuel.
Captain Clark said, "I do not think [it] at all improbable that those
people make use of Dried fish as fuel. The number of dead Salmon on the
Shores & floating in the river is incrediable to say ... how far they
have to raft their timber they make their scaffolds of I could not
learn; but there is no timber of any sort except Small willow bushes in
sight in any direction."
[13] Lewis and Clark, III, p. 124.
Sentinal Bluffs is the name given to both sides of the gap where the
Columbia River breaks through Saddle Mountains. It is a short distance
above the head of Priest Rapids. Crab Creek empties into the Columbia
from the east on the north side of these mountains. On the western side
of the river, between the Bluffs and the head of Priest Rapids, there is
a flat place of considerable area, portions of which the Columbia floods
during the winter. Going northwest from here to Ellensburg, the trail
leads up a small valley in which are several springs surrounded by some
small trees. One ascends about 2000 feet to the top of the divide and
then descends perhaps 1000 feet into the Kittitas Valley.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES.
At Clealum, we found no archaeological remains, except a single human
skeleton unearthed in the sinking of a shaft for a coal mine. Here,
however, our examination of the vicinity was limited to one day, and it
is possible that a more thorough search might bring to light
archaeological sites. Specimens from the vicinity of Clealum are unknown
to the writer, although there are a number of collections from the
vicinity of Ellensburg, Priest Rapids, Kennewick and other places lower
down. The abundance of specimens on the surface near Priest Rapids and
Kennewick in proportion to those found near North Yakima and Ellensburg,
suggests that the high parts of the valley were less densely inhabited
and that the mountains were perhaps only occasionally visited. It would
seem possible that the prehistoric people of the Yakima Valley had their
permanent homes on the Columbia, and possibly in the lower parts of the
Yakima region. This is indicated by the remains of underground houses,
some of which are as far up as Ellensburg. These remains are similar to
those found in the Thompson River region, where such houses were
inhabited in the winter. The people of the Yakima area probably seldom
went up to the higher valleys and the mountains, except on hunting
expeditions or to gather berries, roots and wood for their scaffolds,
canoes and other manufactures. If this be correct, it would account for
the scarcity of specimens upon the surface along the higher streams,
since all the hunting parties, berry, root and wood-gathering
expeditions were not likely to leave behind them so much material as
would be lost or discarded in the vicinity of the permanent villages.
Spinden states[14] that in the Nez Perce region to the east of the
Yakima country, permanent villages were not built in the uplands,
although in a few places where camas and kouse were abundant, temporary
summer camps were constructed.
[14] Spinden, p. 178.
In the vicinity of Ellensburg, we found no archaeological specimens
except the chipped point mentioned on page 163, but this may be due in
part to the modern cultivation of the soil and to the fact that the
irrigated crops, such as are grown here, hide so much of the surface of
the ground. A search along portions of the level country west of the
town and even in such places as those where the river cuts the bank,
failed to reveal signs of house or village sites. In Ellensburg, I saw a
summer lodge, made up of a conical framework of poles covered with cloth
and inhabited by an old blind Indian and his wife. East of the city,
near the little stream below the City Reservoir was another summer lodge
made similarly, but among the covering cloths was some matting of native
manufacture. The remains of an underground house, possibly 30 feet in
diameter were seen to the east of the Northern Pacific Railway, between
Ellensburg and Thrall.
On the little bottom land along the western side of Cherry Creek, near
its mouth, at the upper end of Yakima Canon, we found objects which show
that the place had been a camping ground. This is immediately south of
where an east and west road crosses the creek on the farm of Mr. Bull.
On this village site were found the specimens catalogued under numbers
202-8213 to 8222, of which two are shown in Plate II, Fig. 12, and Fig.
52. The opposite side of this stream strikes one of the foothills of the
uplands, the western extension of Saddle Mountains. On the top of this
foothill, which overlooks the above mentioned village site, were a
number of burials marked by circles of rocks.[15] In the rock-slide on
the side of this hill, between these circles and the village site below,
were a number of graves which are described in detail under numbers
99-4326-4332 and 202-8223-8258 on pages 164 to 166. Some of the objects
found, many of which are recent and show contact with the white race,
are shown in Figs. 71a, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82-86, 90, 92, 95, and 96.
[15] See 99-4325, page 163.
On the western side of the Yakima, about opposite the above mentioned
village site, a rock-slide appears at the head of Yakima Canon. In it
are a number of rock-slide graves marked by sticks.
In Selah Canon, on the north side of Selah Creek, about a mile and a
half above where it empties into the Yakima are three groups of
petroglyphs pecked into the vertical surface of the low basaltic cliffs
of the canon wall. Two of these groups (Plate XII) are upon eastern
faces of the rock, while the one shown in Fig. 1, Plate XIII, is upon a
southern exposure. In the rock-slide on the south side of Selah Canon,
about three quarters of a mile above the Yakima or about half way
between these petroglyphs and the Yakima, were found a number of graves,
one of them marked by a much weathered twig. These were the only
archaeological remains seen by us in Selah Canon, although we examined
it for at least two miles from its mouth.
On the north slope of Yakima Ridge, near its base, at a point where the
Moxee Canal and the river road turn and run west along the base of the
ridge or about southeast of the largest ranch there, possibly two miles
northeasterly from the Gap, were a number of scattered graves covered
with rock-slide material. About one quarter of a mile west from here, a
little west of south of the ranch, was a large rock-slide, covering a
short northerly spur of the ridge. This is shown from the southwest in
Plate VII. It is about three quarters of a mile northeast from where the
Yakima River, after flowing through bottom lands, strikes the base of
the Yakima Ridge. In this slide were a large number of shallow parallel
nearly horizontal ditches below each of which is a low ridge or terrace
of the angular slide-rock. Among these terraces, as shown in Fig. 2 of
the plate, were a few pits surrounded by a low ridge, made up of jagged
slide-rock, apparently from out of the pits. It was naturally larger at
the side of the pit towards the bottom of the slide. In none of these
did we find human remains or specimens. Some of them are larger than
similar pits that we found to be rock-slide graves. Their close
resemblance to graves found to have been disturbed, part of their
remains being scattered near by and to other graves, as they appeared
after our excavations, suggests that these pits are the remains of such
rock-slide graves from which the bodies have been removed by the Indians
possibly since the land became the property of the United States
Government. On the other hand, these pits remind us of rifle pits,
though it does not seem probable that they would be built in such a
place for that purpose and there is no local account of the site having
been used for such pits. This rock-slide is particularly interesting
because of the terraces into which most of its surface had been formed.
The character of the rock-slide material is such that one may walk over
these for some little time without noticing them, but once having been
noticed, they always force themselves upon the attention. Standing near
the top of the slide, they remind one of rows of seats in a theatre.
Each terrace begins at the edge of the slide and runs horizontally out
around its convex surface to the opposite side. Some of them are wider
than others. They resemble the more or less horizontal and parallel
terraces formed by horses and cattle while feeding on steep slopes. The
Yakima Ridge has been so terraced by stock in many places and over large
areas. However, there is no vegetation on the rock-slide to entice stock
and the difficulty of walking over the cruelly sharp rocks as well as
the presence of rattlesnakes would seem sufficient to cause both cattle
and horses to pass either below or above it. The outer edge of each
terrace is probably little lower than the inner edge, but viewed from
the slope it seems so, and this suggests that these terraces may have
been entrenchments, though it would seem that they would be useless for
such a purpose since one can easily reach the land above from either
side. Moreover, it would not seem necessary to make parallel
entrenchments down the entire slope. That they were made to facilitate
the carrying of the dead to the rock-slide graves is possible but not
probable. It seems unlikely that they could have been made for the
seating of spectators to overlook games or ceremonies; for the sharpness
of the rocks would make them very uncomfortable.
There is a much higher rock-slide on the east side of a small steep
ravine near where the Yakima River flows close to the base of the ridge,
about a mile northeast of the Naches River or Upper Gap. Near the top of
this slide, possibly three hundred feet above the river, were similar
pits larger than those just described. Two or three of these were
bounded along the edge towards the top of the slide by an unusually wide
terrace. Near the bottom of this slide were graves[16] (Nos. 1 and 2)
which are described in detail on page 153. Grave No. 1 was in the base
of the rock-slide as shown in the figure and was indicated by a cedar
stick projecting from a slight depression in the top of the heap of
rock-slide material covering it. It was on a slight terrace about eighty
feet above the river, and commanded a view over the valley of the Yakima
to the north. The presence of the brass tube shown in Fig. 75 suggests
that this grave is not of great antiquity. Grave No. 2 was in the same
rock-slide about fifty feet down the ravine or to the north, and about
forty feet above the Moxee flume. It was indicated by a hole in a pile
of rock, like an old well. It was found to contain nothing, the remains
having been removed. On the south side of the Yakima Ridge, near the
bridge over the Yakima, at the Upper Gap, rock-slide graves are said to
have been disturbed during the construction of the flume which carries
the waters of the Moxee ditch around the western end of the Yakima
Ridge, and during the gathering of stone on this point for commercial
purposes. Some of these graves are said to have been above the flume.
[16] Sec Fig. 3, Plate VI from the north of west.
Here and there, near the base of the ridge from this point easterly for
about a mile, were found small pits, such as one shown in Fig. 1, Plate
VIII. Apparently, these were rock-slide graves from which the human
remains had been removed, either by the Indians in early times or more
recently by visitors from the neighboring town of North Yakima. Possibly
some of them are old cache holes. One of these graves near the top of a
small rock-slide above the flume contained a human skeleton and is shown
in Fig. 2, Plate VIII. Below these graves, on the narrow flat between
the base of the ridge and the Yakima River at a point about three
quarters of a mile below the Upper Gap at the mouth of the Naches River,
were discovered a number of small pits each surrounded by a low ridge of
earth which were probably the remains of cache holes made by the Indians
during the last twenty years. On this flat, close to the river were two
pits surrounded by a circular ridge which indicated ancient
semi-subterranean house sites, further described on page 51.
It is said, that above the flume at a point about a mile and a half
below the Upper Gap, rock-slide graves, some of which were marked by
pieces of canoes were excavated by school boys. The writer was also
informed by small boys that near the top of the ridge immediately above
here, they frequently found chipped points for arrows but on examination
discovered only chips of stone suitable for such points, the boys either
having mistaken the chips for points or having collected so many of the
points that they were scarce.
On the west side of the Yakima, at the Upper Gap, there is a raised flat
top or terrace that overlooks the mouth of the Naches River to the
southeast. Here were a number of circles made up of angular rocks.
Within each we found the remains of human cremations. Unburned fragments
of the bones of several individuals with shell ornaments were often
present in a single circle.[17]
[17] See p. 142 and Fig. 1, Plate IX.
Continuing westward, along the slope of the ridge, cut along its
southern base by the Naches River, at a point about one and a quarter
miles west of the mouth of the river, a small ravine cuts down from the
top of the ridge. This has formed a little flat through the middle of
which it has again cut down towards the river. East of this ravine on
the flat is a circle of angular rocks such as are found scattered over
the ridge. This circle no doubt marks a house site, the interior having
been cleared of stone and the circle of rocks probably having been used
to hold down the lodge covering.[18] To the west of the ravine, where
the flat is somewhat higher than to the east, there are the remains of
two semi-subterranean houses. Each of these is represented by a pit
surrounded by a ridge of earth, and on the top, are large angular
rocks.[19] At a point where the ridge meets this flat, close to the
western side of the ravine was a slight depression in a small rock-slide
which marked what seemed to be a grave, but which, on excavation,
revealed nothing. Still further westward at a point probably two miles
above the mouth of the Naches River and overlooking the stream at an
altitude of perhaps 250 feet, we found scattered over the ground along
the eastern summit of a deep ravine, the first one west of the house
sites above mentioned, numerous small chips of material suitable for
chipped implements. These became more numerous as we proceeded northward
up the eastern side of the ravine for a distance of about a quarter of a
mile. Here we came upon the small quarry in the volcanic soil, shown in
Fig. 1, Plate III. Immediately to the west of the pit was a pile of
earth, apparently excavated from it.
[18] See p. 15 and Fig. 1, Plate IV.
[19] See p. 52 and Fig. 2, Plate IV.
On the top of this heap of soil and among the broken rock to the south
and east of it, were found several water-worn pebbles, used as hammers
in breaking up the rock, as indicated by the battered condition of their
ends (p. 58). We saw no other water-worn pebbles on the surface of the
ridge, but they were numerous in the gravel of the bottom-lands subject
to the overflow of the rivers. It would seem that these pebbles were
brought up from the river below for use as hammers. Scattered to the
south of the pit were found large fragments of float quartz material
containing small pieces of stone suitable for chipped implements but
made up mainly of stone which was badly disintegrated. Lying on the
slope of the ravine were many small fragments of this same stone which
were clear of flaws.
It would seem that a mass of float quartz much of which was suitable for
chipped implements had been found here. It had been excavated, leaving
the pile of earth and then broken up with the river pebbles which were
left behind with the waste. Probably there were fairly large pieces of
the material, suitable for chipped implements; that were carried away
while small pieces were left lying about a pile of unsuitable material.
In other words, it would seem that these specimens mark a place for the
roughing out of material for chipped implements.[20] On the same side of
the river, on the side of a rather low ridge or table-land overlooking
it, at a point about twelve miles above its mouth, are some rock-slides.
Here it is said that graves have been found. They were probably typical
rock-slide graves. On a point of land perhaps fifty feet above these and
a few hundred feet to the north, Master James McWhirter pointed out a
grave on his farm. It was then surrounded by a ring made up of
water-worn pebbles, apparently brought up from the river. He stated that
an attempt had been made to excavate it which possibly accounts for the
pebbles being in a circle rather than a heap over the grave. This grave
was found to contain a slab of wood, shell ornaments, probably modern,
and an adult skeleton, No. 12 (7), 99-4320, p. 156.
[20] See p. 20.
There are a number of painted pictographs on the vertical faces of the
basaltic columns, facing north on the south side of the Naches River,
immediately to the west of the mouth of Cowiche Creek. These are below
the flume and may be reached from the top of the talus slope which has
been added to by the blasting away of the rock above, during the
construction of the flume. In fact, debris from this blasting has
covered part of the pictographs. Some of the pictures are in red, others
in white and there are combinations of the two colors.[21] Local
merchants have defaced these pictographs with advertisements.
[21] Further described under the subject of art on p. 119 and shown
in Plates XIV-XVI.
In the Cowiche Valley, there are several rock-slide graves, but these
seem to have been rifled. Northeast of the fair grounds at North Yakima,
the remains of an underground house are said to exist. A short distance
east of Tampico, about 18 miles above the mouth of the Ahtanum, on the
north side of the river and east of the road from the north where it
meets the river road and immediately across it from the house of Mr.
Sherman Eglin, was a grave located in a volcanic dome left by the wind,
which Mr. Eglin pointed out to us. The site is about 600 feet north of
the north branch of the Ahtanum and about fifteen feet above the level
of the river. A pile of rocks about eight feet in diameter covered this
grave, No. 25, p. 160. On the land of Mr. A. D. Eglin, between the
above-mentioned grave and Tampico on the north side of the road were
seen the signs of two graves, destroyed by plowing. Near here, an oblong
mound six or eight inches high and ten feet wide by eight feet long,
supposedly covering a grave, marked by a stone on the level at each side
and each end, 12 and 16 feet apart respectively was reported by Mr.
Eglin's son. A little distance further north and up the slope of the
land, were a number of volcanic ash heaps left by the wind. The
surrounding land is what is locally known as "scab land." In some of
these knolls, graves have been found and one which has been explored is
shown in Fig. 2, Plate IX. It is located near the pasture gate, and was
marked by a circle of stones as shown in the figure. On excavating,
nothing was found. It is possible that the remains were entirely
disintegrated. Graves in rock-slides on hill sides, and a village site
near this place were reported by Mr. Eglin's son. Along the north side
of Ahtanum Creek between Ahtanum and Tampico, below the rim rock of the
uplands parallel to the creek are a number of rock-slide graves.
On the western side of Union Gap, through which the Yakima River flows,
below the mouth of Ahtanum Creek, a short distance below Old Yakima, on
a little flat or terrace projecting from the south side of Rattle Snake
Range is a modern Indian cemetery surrounded by a fence. To the east of
Union Gap, on the northwestern slope of Rattle Snake Range, we examined
some rock-slide graves which had been made since the advent of objects
of white manufacture. A mile or so south of Union Gap not far from the
uplands to the east of the river was a ridge of earth extending north
and south nearly parallel with the river road. This, however, I believe
may be the remains of some early irrigation project. On the west side of
the Yakima River about two miles south of Union Gap was seen a summer
lodge made by covering a conical framework with mats.
At Fort Simcoe, immediately south of the Indian agency, on the north
edge of the "scab land," overlooking a small ravine, is a large pit
surrounded by an embankment of earth, the remains of a semi-subterranean
house. Perhaps an eighth of a mile south of this, on higher "scab land"
was a rather low long mound upon which were several piles of stone that
probably marked graves. This mound was lower and more oblong than the
usual dome in which such graves were made. Mrs. Lynch, who pointed these
out has excavated similar piles at this place and found them to mark
graves. We were informed that chipped implements were frequently found
along the Yakima River at a point near Prosser. Above Kennewick, while
digging a flume, a number of graves were discovered, from which Mr.
Sonderman made his collection. Some of these graves contained modern
material (p. 111).
On the surface of the western beach of the Columbia at Kennewick and on
the flat land back of it we found chips of material suitable for making
chipped implements, and a large pebble, probably a net sinker.[22]
These, together with the fact that Mr. D. W. Owen has also frequently
found specimens here, suggest that this place was an ancient camping
ground. That Lewis and Clark saw Indians here and in the vicinity, as
well as that the Indians still camp here on the beach of the river,
sheltered from the wind by the bank and depending upon the river
driftwood for their fuel, strengthens this suggestion. Specimens have
been found on the large island in the Columbia at the mouth of the
Yakima. (See p. 64.) At a point four miles below Kennewick or perhaps a
mile below a point opposite the mouth of the Snake, a grave which
contained material of white manufacture is said to have been discovered
by a man while hauling water up the bank of the Columbia.
[22] See p. 30.
Schoolcraft states[23] that there was an earthwork on the left bank of
the Lower Yakima on the edge of a terrace about fifteen feet high a
short distance from the water. This terrace was banked on either side by
a gully. This consisted of two concentric circles of earth about eighty
yards in diameter by three feet high, with a ditch between. Within were
about twenty "cellars", situated without apparent design, except economy
of room. They were some thirty feet across, and three feet deep. A guide
stated that it was unique and made very long ago by an unknown people.
Outside, but near by, were other "cellars" in no way differing from the
remains of villages of the region. What may be an earthwork near by is
described by Schoolcraft[24] as follows: "The Indians also pointed out,
near by, a low hill or spur, which in form might be supposed to resemble
an inverted canoe, and which he had said was a ship." Schoolcraft
suggests a possible relation of this to the mounds of the Sacramento
Valley and continues:--
"In this connection may also be mentioned a couple of
modern fortifications, erected by the Yakamas upon the
Sunkive fork. They are situated between two small
branches, upon the summits of a narrow ridge some two
hundred yards long, and thirty feet in height, and are
about twenty-five yards apart. The first is a square with
rounded corners, formed by an earthen embankment capped
with stones; the interstices between which served for
loop-holes, and without any ditch. It is about thirty
feet on the sides, and the wall three feet high. The
other is built of adobes, in the form of a rectangle,
twenty by thirty-four feet, the walls three feet high,
and twelve to eighteen inches thick, with loop-holes six
feet apart. Both are commanded within rifle-shot by
neighboring hills. They were erected in 1847 by Skloo, as
a defence against the Cayuse. We did not hear whether
they were successfully maintained, accounts varying
greatly in this respect. In the same neighborhood Captain
M'Clellan's party noticed small piles of stones raised by
the Indians on the edges of the basaltic walls which
enclose these valleys, but were informed that they had no
purpose; they were put up through idleness. Similar piles
are, however, sometimes erected to mark the fork of a
trail. At points on these walls there were also many
graves, generally made in regular form, covered with
loose stones to protect them from the cayotes, and marked
by poles decorated with tin cups, powder-horns, and
articles of dress. During the summer the Indians for the
most part live in the small valleys lying well into the
foot of the mountains. These are, however, uninhabitable
during the winter, and they move further down, or to more
sheltered situations. The mission which, in summer, is
maintained in the A-tá-nam valley, is transferred into
that of the main river."[25]
[23] Schoolcraft, VI. p. 612.
[24] Schoolcraft, VI. p. 613.
[25] Cf. also Bancroft, IV. p. 736; Stevens, pp. 232-3; Gibbs, (a),
pp. 408-9.
After passing the top of the divide, to the left of the trail from
Ellensburg to Priest Rapids, chips and fragments of variegated float
quartz suitable for chipped implements were found. This apparently
marked a place where a fragment of float rock had been broken up, but
fine fragments were hardly numerous enough to indicate that the place
had been a shop site, or at least a large one. The quantity of material
broken up, judging from the amount of refuse, was small. On the western
side of the Columbia, at the base of the basaltic rocks where they meet
the bottom-land, perhaps a mile from the river were rock-slide graves in
the talus slope. At the head of Priest Rapids, the river turns towards
the west and then southward, flowing close to the southern end of this
escarpment. On the flat, at the very head of Priest Rapids, the river,
during high water had washed out the remains of a village or camp site,
where pestles and animal bones were numerous. A short distance above
this, in a low ridge near the river were some modern graves some of
which were marked with sticks at the head and foot. The bodies, judging
from the mounds of earth, were laid full length and many, if not all of
them, judging from the size of the head and foot sticks, were placed
with the feet towards the east. Perhaps a mile above here near the home
of Mr. Britain Everette Craig, several large and deep pits, the sites of
ancient semi-subterranean houses were seen. Above and near his house,
the river had washed out what was apparently a village site, and perhaps
a few graves. Here was found the small fresh water shell heap, shown in
Fig. 1, Plate V, and the pile of flat oval pebbles which probably marked
a cooking place, shown in Fig. 2. On the west beach of the Columbia at
Sentinal Bluffs perhaps another mile further up the river, notched
sinkers and other indications of a camp or fishing ground were found.
On the eastern side of the river near the head of Priest Rapids some
material was found on the surface of the beach where the floods of the
river had uncovered it. A mile or more above here, pecked on the
basaltic columns of Sentinal Bluffs, which may be seen in both figures
of Plate V were a number of petroglyphs, shown in Plate XI and described
on page 121. Those shown in Fig. 1, photographed from the west, are on
the columns to the east of the road, blasted through the rocks at this
point, and perhaps fifteen feet from the river. Those in Fig. 2,
photographed from the north, are to the west of the road on the columns
which rise abruptly from the river. Some specimens and indications of
habitation were found scattered between this point and the mouth of Crab
Creek, the bed of which was dry in most places when we visited it.
RESOURCES.
The resources of the prehistoric people of the Yakima Valley, as
indicated by the specimens found in the graves and about the village
sites, were chiefly of stone, copper, shell, bone, antler, horn,
feathers, skin, tule stalks, birch bark and wood. They employed
extensively various kinds of stone for making a variety of objects.
Obsidian,[26] glassy basalt or trap, petrified wood, agate, chalcedonic
quartz with opaline intrusions, chert and jasper were used for chipping
into various kinds of points, such as those used for arrows, spears,
knives, drills and scrapers. According to Spinden,[27] obsidian was used
in the Nez Perce region to the east where it was obtained from the John
Day River and in the mountains to the east, possibly in the vicinity of
the Yellowstone National Park. The people of the Yakima Valley may have
secured it from the Nez Perce. As on the coast, objects made of glassy
basalt were rare here, although it will be remembered that they were the
most common among chipped objects in the Thompson River region.[28] Mr.
James Teit believes that glassy basalt is scarce in the Yakima region
and that this is the reason why the prehistoric people there did not use
it extensively. Some agate, chalcedony and similar materials were used
in the Thompson River region, but while there is a great quantity of the
raw material of these substances there, the Indians say that the black
basalt was easier to work and quite as effective when finished. Several
small quarries of float quartz had been excavated and broken up to be
flaked at adjacent work shops, p. 16. River pebbles were made into net
sinkers, pestles, mortars, hammerstones, scrapers, clubs, slave killers,
sculptures, and similar objects, and were also used for covering some of
the graves in the knolls. Serpentine was used for celts and clubs; lava
for sculptures. Slate was used for ornamental or ceremonial tablets
steatite for ornaments and pipes, though rarely for pestles and other
objects; and impure limestone for pipes. Fragments of basaltic rock were
used for covering graves in the rock-slides and in some of the knolls.
Places on the basaltic columns and cliffs served as backgrounds upon
which pictures were made, some being pecked,[29] others painted.[30] No
objects made of mica or nephrite were found. Siliceous sandstone was
made into pestles, pipes and smoothers for arrow-shafts, but the last
were rare. Copper clay, white earth and red ochre were not found, but
red and white paint were seen on the basaltic cliffs and Mrs. Lynch
reports blue paint from a grave near Fort Simcoe (p. 117).
[26] See Fig. 5 and 202-8141, p. 154.
[27] Spinden, p. 184.
[28] Smith, (d) p. 132 and 135 (c) p. 407.
[29] See Plates XI-XIII.
[30] See Plates XIV-XVI.
Copper was used for beads, pendants and bracelets. While all of this
copper may have been obtained by barter from the whites, yet some of it
may have been native. Copper, according to Spinden, was probably not
known to the Nez Perce before the articles of civilization had reached
that region, but he states that large quantities of copper have been
taken from graves and that the edges of some of the specimens are
uneven, such as would be more likely to result from beating out a nugget
than from working a piece of cut sheet copper.[31] The glass beads, iron
bracelets,[32] and bangles,[33] the brass rolled beads,[34] brass
pendant[35] and the white metal inlay,[36] which we found, all came from
trade with the white race during recent times and do not belong to the
old culture.
[31] Spinden, p. 190.
[32] See Fig. 96.
[33] See Figs. 85 and 86.
[34] See Fig. 75.
[35] See Fig. 84.
[36] See Fig. 128.
Shells of the fresh water unio, in a bed five or six feet in diameter
and two or three inches thick, at the Priest Rapids village site and
described on p. 34 indicate that this animal had been used for food.
Shells of the little salt water clam (_Pectunculus_ 202-8388, Fig. 88),
haliotis (202-8234b, 8252, 8255, 8386, Figs. 89-92), dentalium
(202-8178, 8156, 8163, 8173, 8177-9, 8184, 8186-89, 8192-3, 8233, 8241,
8253, 8389, Figs. 74, 117, and 118) olivella (202-8393, Fig. 87), and
oyster (202-8170, Fig. 94) which were made into various ornaments must
have been obtained from the coast. No shells of _Pecten caurinus_ were
found.
Deer bones were seen in great numbers in the earth of a village site at
the head of Priest Rapids where they probably are the remains of
cooking. Animal bones were made into points for arrows or harpoon barbs,
awls and tubes that were probably used in gambling. Fish bones
(202-8387) found in the village sites suggest that fish were used for
food. No bones of the whale were found.
Antler was used for wedges, combs and as material upon which to carve.
Horns of the Rocky Mountain sheep were used for digging-stick handles.
Mountain sheep horns were secured by the Nez Perce who lived to the east
of the Yakima region, and were traded with Indians westward as far as
the Lower Columbia.[37] No objects made of teeth were found although a
piece of a beaver tooth (202-8189) was seen in grave No. 21, and Mrs.
Lynch reports elk teeth from a grave near Fort Simcoe (p. 119). Pieces
of thong, skin, fur, and feathers of the woodpecker, all of which were
probably used as articles of wearing apparel, were found in the graves
preserved by the action of copper salts or the dryness of the climate.
[37] Spinden, p. 223.
Wood was used as the hearth of a fire drill[38] and for a bow, a
fragment of which is shown in Fig. 114. Sticks which had not decayed in
this dry climate, marked some of the graves in the rock-slides (p. 140).
Charcoal was also found in the graves and village sites. A fragment of
birch bark, tightly rolled (202-8392) was found in a grave; roots were
woven into baskets;[39] rushes were stitched and woven into mats.[40]
[38] See Fig. 38.
[39] See Fig. 17.
[40] See Fig. 70-72.
THE SECURING OF FOOD.
_Points Chipped out of Stone._ Many implements used in procuring food
were found. In general, they are similar in character to those found in
the Thompson River Region.[41] The most numerous perhaps, were points of
various sizes and shapes, made by chipping and flaking, for arrows,
knives and spears. Many of these are small and finely wrought and most
of them are of bright colored agates, chalcedonies and similar stones.
As before mentioned, several small quarries of such material with
adjacent workshops were found. A very few specimens were made of glassy
basalt, and it will be remembered (p. 21) that this was the prevailing
material for chipped implements in the Thompson River region to the
north, where there was perhaps not such a great variety of material
used.[42] In the Nez Perce region to the east, according to Spinden, a
great variety of forms of arrow points chipped from stone of many kinds
is found,[43] and the extreme minuteness of some of them is noteworthy.
The war spear sometimes had a point of stone, usually lance-shaped, but
sometimes barbed.[44] He further states that iron supplanted flint and
obsidian at an early date, for the manufacture of arrow-heads.[45]
[41] Smith, (d) p. 135; and (c) p. 408.
[42] _Ibid._
[43] Cf. Spinden, Figs. 10-22, Plate VII.
[44] Spinden, p. 227.
[45] Spinden, p. 190.
No caches of chipped implements were found in the Yakima region. Judging
from the collections which I have seen, I am under the impression that
chipped points are not nearly so numerous in this region as they are
near The Dalles and in the Columbia Valley immediately south of this
area, and perhaps not even as numerous as in the Thompson River country
to the north. We found no fantastic forms such as were rather common in
the Thompson River country.[46] It will be remembered[47] that the art
of chipping stone was not extensively practised on the coast of British
Columbia or Washington, no specimens having been found in that area
north of Vancouver Island except at Bella Coola, where only two were
discovered. They were frequent at Saanich and in the Fraser Delta and
became still more common as one approached the mouth of the Columbia on
the west coast of Washington where, on the whole, they seem to resemble,
especially in the general character of the material, the chipped points
of the Columbia River Valley in the general region from Portland to The
Dalles.
[46] Smith, (d) p. 136; and (c) p. 409.
[47] Smith, (b) p. 437; (a) p. 190; (e) p. 564; and (f), p. 359.
[Illustration: Fig. 1 (202-8369). Chipped Point made of Chalcedony. From
the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
The range of forms and sizes is well shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and in Plates
I and II.[48] The specimen shown in Fig. 1 is very small, apparently
made from a thin flake of chalcedony that has not been much chipped. Its
edges are slightly serrated and it was found on the surface near the
head of Priest Rapids. Deeply serrated points are found in the Nez Perce
region to the east, but they are unusual.[49] The one shown in Fig. 2 is
also made of chalcedony and is from the same place. It is larger and the
barbs are not so deep. The specimen shown in Fig. 3, chipped from white
chalcedony was found at the same place and may be considered as a knife
point rather than as an arrow point. The one shown in Fig. 4 is made of
petrified wood and has serrated edges. It was found at Priest Rapids and
is in the collection of Mr. Mires. Fig. 5 illustrates a point with a
straight base chipped from obsidian, one of the few made of this
material that have been found in the whole region. This is also from
Priest Rapids in the collection of Mr. Mires. The straight based
arrow-head is very common in the Nez Perce region.[50] The specimen
shown in Fig. 6 is leaf shaped, the base being broken off. It is made of
chert, was collected at Wallula near the Columbia River in Oregon by
Judge James Kennedy in 1882 and is in the James Terry collection of this
Museum. Plate I shows a rather large and crudely chipped point made of
basalt, from the surface near the head of Priest Rapids on the bank of
the Columbia River. The second is made of red jasper and the third of
white chert. They were found near the head of Priest Rapids, the latter
also on the bank of the river. These three specimens may be considered
as finished or unfinished spear or knife points. The specimens shown in
Plate II are more nearly of the average size. The first is made of buff
jasper and was found on the surface at Kennewick. It is slightly
serrated. The second is made of brownish fissile jasper and was found in
grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide near the mouth of the Naches River. The
third, chipped from mottled quartz was found in grave No. 28 (21) near
the skull in a rock-slide about three miles west of the mouth of Cowiche
Creek. The fourth of white quartzite is also from grave No. 28 (21) near
the skull. The breadth of the base of these last two specimens and the
notches would facilitate their being fastened very securely in an
arrow-shaft, while the basal points would probably project far enough
beyond the shaft to make serviceable barbs. The fifth specimen, chipped
from brown chert was found among the refuse of a fire in grave No. 1, in
a rock-slide of the Yakima Ridge. The sixth is made of glassy basalt and
is remarkable for having two sets of notches. It is rather large, which
suggests that it may have served as a knife point. It is from the head
of Priest Rapids and was collected and presented by Mrs. J. B. Davidson.
Double notched arrow points are found in the Nez Perce region.[51] The
seventh is chipped from pale fulvous chalcedony and is from the surface
at the same place. The eighth is chipped from similar material and was
found near by. The ninth is made of opaline whitish chalcedony and is
from the same place. The tenth is chipped from yellow agate, and
somewhat resembles a drill, while the eleventh is of brown horn stone,
both of them being from the surface near the head of Priest Rapids.
[48] Photographs by Mr. Wm. C. Orchard.
[49] Cf. Spinden, Fig. 16, Plate VII.
[50] Cf. Spinden, Fig. 14, Plate VII.
[51] Cf. Spinden, Fig. 15, Plate VII.
[Illustration: Fig. 2 (202-8364). Chipped Point made of Chalcedony. From
the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 3 (202-8336). Chipped Point made of White
Chalcedony. From the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat.
size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 4. Serrated Chipped Point made of Petrified Wood.
From Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from a sketch. Original in the
collection of Mr. Mires.)]
The twelfth which is chipped from clove brown jasper was found on the
surface of the Cherry Creek camp site near Ellensburg. The thirteenth is
made of reddish white chert and was found on the surface near the mouth
of Wenas Creek. The fourteenth is of pale yellow chalcedony and comes
from the surface near the head of Priest Rapids. Most of these specimens
seem to be suitable for arrow points, although some of them probably
served for use as knives.
[Illustration: Fig. 5. Chipped Point made of Obsidian. From Priest
Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from a sketch. Original in the collection
of Mr. Mires.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 6. (T-21184, II-180.) Fragment of a leaf-shaped
Point made of Chert. From Wallula near the Columbia River, Oregon.
Collected by Judge James Kennedy in 1882. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Points Rubbed out of Stone._ No points rubbed out of stone have been
found in this region, although it will be remembered that two such
points were found in the Thompson River region[52] and were thought to
represent an intrusion from the coast where they were common as in the
Fraser Delta[53] at both Port Hammond and Eburne where they are more
than one half as numerous as the chipped points, and at Comox[54] where
at least seven of this type to three chipped from stone were found.
They were also found at Saanich,[55] where they were in proportion of
nineteen to twenty-four, near Victoria[56] and on the San Juan
Islands.[57]
[52] Smith, (c), p. 409.
[53] Smith, (a), pp. 141 and 143.
[54] Smith, (b), p. 308.
[55] Smith, (b), p. 332.
[56] P. 357 and 358, _ibid._
[57] P. 380, _ibid._
_Points Rubbed out of Bone._ Points rubbed out of bone which were so
common on the coast everywhere, but rare in the Thompson River country
are still more scarce here. Only ten specimens from the whole region can
be identified as clearly intended for the points or barbs of arrows,
harpoon heads or spears. The types are shown in Figs. 7 to 12. The first
was found in the west, northwest part of grave No. 10 (5) in a
rock-slide about a half mile above the mouth of the Naches River. It is
nearly circular in cross section, 31 mm. long with a point only 6 mm. in
length and was apparently intended for a salmon harpoon head, similar to
those used in the Thompson River region[58] both in ancient and modern
times but which are much more common on the coast. The specimen shown in
Fig. 8 is circular in cross section and was seen in the collection of
Mrs. Davidson. It is from Kennewick and is of the shape of one of the
most frequent types of bone points found in the Fraser Delta.[59] The
specimen shown in Fig. 9 was found with three others in grave No. 1 in a
rock-slide of the Yakima Ridge. This and two of the others were
scorched. They are circular in cross section and sharp at both ends but
the upper end is much the more slender. The point shown in Fig. 10
somewhat resembles these, but it is slightly larger and tends to be
rectangular in cross section except at the base. It was found with a
similar specimen in a grave on the Snake River, five miles above its
mouth, and was collected and presented by Mr. Owen who still has the
other specimen. Diagonal striations may still be seen on its much
weathered brown surface. These were probably caused by rubbing it on a
stone in its manufacture. A slightly different type of bone point is
shown in Figs. 11 and 12. These seem to be barbs for fish spears such as
were found in the Thompson River region,[60] among both ancient and
modern specimens. The one shown in Fig. 11 has traces of the marrow
canal on the reverse. It was found in the Yakima Valley below Prosser
and is in the collection of Mr. Spalding. While the specimen shown in
Fig. 12 is from the surface near the head of Priest Rapids.
[58] Smith, (c), p. 410; Teit, (a), Fig. 231.
[59] Cf. Smith, (a), Fig. _13h_.
[60] Smith, (c), p. 410; Teit, (a), Fig. 232.
Bone points and barbs were used in the Nez Perce region to the east,
where three types of spears with bone points were known, two of them at
least being similar to those found in the Thompson River region to the
north.[61] The war spears sometimes had a point of bone, usually
lance-shaped, but sometimes barbed.[62]
[61] Spinden, p. 189 and Fig. 5^s, ^10, ^11.
[62] Spinden, p. 227.
[Illustration: Fig. 7 (202-8165). Point made of Bone. From the W., N. W.
part of grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide about half a mile above the
mouth of Naches River. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 8. Point made of Bone. From Kennewick. 1/2 nat.
size. (Drawn from a sketch. Original in the collection of Mrs.
Davidson.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 9 (202-8143). Scorched Point made of Bone. From
grave No. 1 in a rock-slide of the Yakima Ridge. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 10 (20.0-1468). Point made of Bone. Found in a grave
on an island in the Snake River, five miles above its mouth, 1/2 nat.
size. (Collected and presented by Mr. Owen.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 11. Point or Barb made of Bone. From the Yakima
Valley below Prosser. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from a sketch. Original in
the collection of Mr. Spalding.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 12 (202-8381). Point or Barb made of Bone. From the
surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Bows._ The only information which we have regarding bows is from the
specimen shown in Fig. 114. The object seems to be a fragment of a bow
which was lenticular in cross section although rather flat. It is
slightly bent and the concave side bears transverse incisions. (p. 125.)
The specimen was found in grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide about one
hundred and fifty feet up the slope on the north side of the Naches
River, about half a mile above its mouth. The presence of several
perishable objects in the grave suggest it to be modern, but no objects
of white manufacture were found. This is the only object indicating the
sort of bow used in this region and with the exception of the chipped
points previously described, some of which were undoubtedly for arrows,
is the only archaeological object tending to prove the use of the bow.
It will be remembered[63] that fragments of a bow of lenticular cross
section ornamented with parallel irregularly arranged cuneiform
incisions, were found in a grave near Nicola Lake in the Thompson River
region and that pieces of wood, some of which may have been part of a
bow, were found in a grave at the mouth of Nicola Lake; also that pieces
of wood found at Kamloops resemble a bow of the type shown in Fig. 220
of Mr. Teit's paper on the present Thompson Indians.[64]
In the Nez Perce region to the east, war clubs with heads made of
unworked river boulders, according to Spinden,[65] were sometimes used
in killing game and such may have been the case in this region.
[63] Smith, (c), p. 411.
[64] Teit, (a), Fig. 216.
[65] Spinden, p. 188 and 227, also Fig. 5^5.
_Snares._ Fragments of thongs, skin, fur and woodpecker feathers merely
suggest methods of hunting or trapping which are not proven by any of
our finds. It is barely possible although not probable that the bone
tubes considered to have been used in gambling and illustrated in Figs.
97 and 98 and also the perforated cylinder of serpentine shown in Fig.
99 may be portions of snares. Traps and snares of various kinds were
common among the Indians of the larger plateau area of which this is a
part.[66]
[66] Lewis, p. 182.
Mr. J. S. Cotton informs me that in the vicinity of Mr. Turner's home,
Section 6, Town north 18, Range 40 east, on Rock Creek, about six miles
below Rock Lake, and in the vicinity of the graves described on p. 140
and the so-called fort mentioned on p. 82, there is a long line of
stones running from Rock Creek in a southeasterly direction across the
coule to a small draw on the other side. This chain of rocks is about
five miles long. The stones have evidently sunk into the ground and
show signs of having been there a long time. They have been in the same
condition since about 1874 when first seen by the whites, even the
oldest Indians claiming to know nothing about them. According to Lewis,
game was surrounded and driven in by a large number of hunters or was
run down by horses, in the great area of which this is part.[67] It
seems altogether probable that a line of stone heaps may have been made
to serve either as a line of scarecrows, possibly to support flags or
similar objects, which would have the effect of a fence to direct the
flight of the game or as a guide to enable the hunters to drive the game
towards a precipice where it would be killed, or a corral where it would
be impounded.
[67] Lewis, p. 182; Ross, (a), p. 316; De Smet III, p. 1026; Lewis
and Clark, IV, p. 371.
_Notched Sinkers._ Sinkers for fish nets or lines were made of
disk-shaped river pebbles. A pebble and the different types of sinkers
are shown in Fig. 13. These were numerous on the surface of the beach of
the Columbia River near the head of Priest Rapids. They have two or four
notches chipped from each side in the edges. When there are two, the
notches are usually at each end; when there are four, they are at the
end and side edges. Sometimes, the notches are so crudely made that the
edge of the pebble is simply roughened so that a string tied about it at
this place would hold. One of these sinkers from Priest Rapids was seen
in Mr. Mires' collection.
_Grooved Sinkers._ Some large thick pebbles have grooves pecked around
their shortest circumference. They may have been used as canoe smashers
or anchors, but seem more likely to be net sinkers. Two of these are
shown in Figs. 14 and 15. They are from Priest Rapids and are in the
collection of Mr. Mires. Both are battered along the lower edge, from
the groove on the left to within a very short distance of it on the
right and over a considerable portion of the edge of the top. In the
second specimen, this battering forms a considerable groove on the lower
edge, but a groove only the size of those shown in the illustration on
the upper edge. This battering suggests that they may have been used as
hammers, but the battered ends of hammers are not often grooved. There
are certain grooves pecked on one side of each which seem to be of a
decorative or ceremonial significance and are consequently discussed on
p. 132 under the section devoted to art. The first specimen is made of
granite or yellow quartzite with mica, the second is of granite or
yellowish gray quartz with augite and feldspar. One specimen similar to
these two, but without any decoration or grooving (202-8116) was found
by us on the beach at Kennewick as was also a large pebble grooved
nearly around the shortest circumference (202-8332) at Priest Rapids.
One object of this type made of a boulder but grooved around the longest
circumference was seen in Mr. Owen's collection. It was found on the
bank of the Columbia River two miles below Pasco. The specimen described
on p. 60 which has a notch pecked in each side edge and is battered
slightly on one end may have been used as a net sinker, although it has
been considered a hammer. This specimen (202-8214) in a way resembles
the small flat notched sinkers except that the notch is pecked instead
of chipped and that it is larger and thicker in proportion. Other
specimens which are considered as net sinkers, anchors or "canoe
smashers" instead of being grooved, are perforated by a hole which
tapers from each side and has apparently been made by pecking. Sometimes
this hole is in the center, while in other cases it passes through one
end. Fig. 16 illustrates such a specimen. It was found at Priest Rapids
and is in the collection of Mr. Mires. It is made from a river pebble of
yellowish-gray volcanic rock. The perforation is in the broadest end. A
similar specimen perforated near one end and one pierced near the middle
were seen in Mr. Owen's collection. He believes that these were used for
killing fish, an Indian having told him that such stones were thrown at
the fish and retrieved with a cord which was tied through the hole.
Probably all of these were sinkers for nets or at least anchors for the
ends of nets, set lines or for small boats.
[Illustration: Fig. 13 _a_ (202-8296), _b_ (202-8318), _c_ (202-8313),
_d_ (202-8330). Pebble and Net Sinkers made of Pebbles. From the surface
of the bank of Columbia River, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat.
size.
Fig. 14. Sinker, a Grooved Boulder bearing a Design in Intaglio. From
Priest Rapids, 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44536, 9-2.
Original in the collection of Mr. Mires.)]
Sinkers were not seen by us among archaeological finds in the Thompson
River region but Mr. James Teit has informed the writer of their use
there on both nets and lines, particularly on the former. Nets,
excepting the bag net, were very little used in the Kamloops-Lytton
region along the Thompson River and that may account for a scarcity of
sinkers among archaeological finds. Nets were more extensively used on
the Fraser River, but were very much used near large lakes and
consequently one would expect to find sinkers in the vicinity of such
places as Kamloops, Shushwap, Anderson, Seaton, Lillooet, Nicola,
Kootenay and Arrow Lakes. Now, as the Shushwap generally made little
bags of netting in which they put their sinkers to attach them to nets,
this would greatly militate against the finding of grooved, notched or
perforated sinkers in the Shushwap part of this region. They probably
thought this method was more effective or took up less time than
notching, grooving or perforating stones, and attaching lines to them.
It is unknown which of these methods is the most primitive. Unworked
pebbles, chosen for their special adaptation in shape, and others
grooved or perforated were used in some parts of the interior of British
Columbia for sinkers which were not enclosed in netting. Unworked
pebbles attached to lines have been seen in use among the Thompson River
Indians by Mr. Teit who sent a specimen of one to the Museum.[68] These
were of various shapes, some of them being egg-shaped. A deeply
notched oval pebble was found on the site of an old semi-subterranean
winter house on the west side of Fraser River at the month of Churn
Creek in the country of the Fraser River division of the Shushwap. The
Thompson Indians said it had been intended for a war ax and accordingly
one of them mounted it in a handle. It is now cat. No. 16-9073 in this
Museum. Mr. Teit believes the stone to be too heavy for a war club of
any kind and that possibly it may originally have been a sinker,
although it is chipped more than necessary for the latter. In 1908, he
saw a perforated sinker found near the outlet of Kootenay Lake, on the
borders of the Lake division of the Colville tribe and the Flat-bow or
Kootenay Lake branch of the Kootenay tribe. It was made of a smooth flat
water-worn beach pebble 132 mm. long by 75 mm. wide and 25 mm. thick.
The perforation was drilled from both sides near the slightly narrower
end and a groove extended from it over the nearest end where it formed a
notch somewhat deeper than the groove. Mr. Teit heard that several such
sinkers had been picked up around Kootenay Lake and also along the Arrow
Lakes of the Columbia River on the borders of the Shushwap and Lake
divisions of the Colville tribe.
[68] Teit, (a), Fig. 234.
[Illustration: Fig. 15. Sinker, a Grooved Boulder bearing a Design in
Intaglio. From Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph
44536, 9-2. Original in the collection of Mr. Mires.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 16. Sinker, a Perforated Boulder. From Priest
Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44535, 9-1. Original in
the collection of Mr. Mires.)]
In the Nez Perce region[69] to the east, no sinkers were used with fish
lines, but roughly grooved river boulders were employed as net
sinkers.[70] A grooved sinker has been found at Comox, grooved stones
which may have been used as sinkers occur at Saanich, on the west coast
of Washington and the lower Columbia. On the coast of Washington some of
them have a second groove at right angles to the first which in some
cases extends only half way around; that is, from the first groove over
one end to meet the groove on the opposite side. One of the specimens
found at Saanich was of this general type. Perforated specimens have
been found in the Fraser Delta,[71] at Comox,[72] at Saanich,[72] Point
Gray,[72] Marietta,[72] at Gray's Harbor and in the Lower Columbia
Valley. On the whole, however, sinkers are much more numerous in the
Yakima region than on the Coast. The fish bones which were found, as
mentioned under resources, tend to corroborate the theory that the
notched, grooved and perforated pebbles were net sinkers and that the
bone barbs were for harpoons used in fishing.
[69] Spinden, p. 210.
[70] Spinden, pp. 188 and 211.
[71] Smith, (a), Fig. 22.
[72] Smith, (b), p. 311, 338, 362, 369.
_Shell Heaps._ Small heaps of fresh water clam shells, as before
mentioned among the resources of the region on p. 22, were seen; but
these being only about five feet in diameter and two or three inches
thick are hardly comparable to the immense shell heaps of the coast.
These fresh water shells were probably secured from the river near by,
where such mollusks now live. Shell fish probably formed only a small
part of the diet of the people although dried sea clams may have been
secured from the coast by bartering. The objects made of sea shell
mentioned among the resources of this region as probably secured from
the coast through channels of trade, suggest that the same method was
employed for obtaining certain food products from a distance. In fact,
Lewis and Clark inform us that the tribes of this general region carried
on considerable trade with those of the lower Columbia. Shell heaps of
this character, however, are found in the Nez Perce region. Spinden[73]
states that no shell heaps except of very small size are found, but
occasionally those of a cubic foot or more in size are seen in the loamy
banks of the rivers, noting a few near the junction of the South and
Middle forks of Clearwater River, and also near the confluence of the
North fork with the Clearwater. These seem to be the remains of single
meals that had been buried or cast into holes.
[73] Spinden, p. 177.
_Digging Sticks._ The gathering of roots is suggested by the presence of
digging stick handles. One of these (Fig. 126) is made of the horn of a
rocky mountain sheep and was secured from an Indian woman living near
Union Gap below Old Yakima. The perforation, near the middle of one side
for the reception of the end of the digging stick, is nearly square but
has bulging sides and rounded corners. The smaller end of the object is
carved, apparently to represent the head of an animal. Similar handles,
some of them of wood, others of antler and with perforations of the same
shape, were seen in Mr. Janeck's collection. It will be remembered that
such digging stick handles made of antler were found in the Thompson
River region among both archaeological finds and living natives,[74] the
archaeological specimens being of antler, the modern handles of wood or
horn.
[74] Smith, (d), p. 137; (c), p. 411; Teit, (a), p. 231.
The digging stick was one of the most necessary and characteristic
implements of the Nez Perce region to the east, the handle consisting of
a piece of bone or horn perforated in the middle for the reception of
the end of the digging stick, or, according to Spinden, an oblong stone
with a transverse groove in the middle lashed at right angles to the
stick.[75] No archaeological specimens which are certainly digging stick
handles were found on the coast.
No sap scrapers such as were collected in the Thompson River region[76]
were identified and they have not been recognized among specimens from
the coast.
[75] Spinden, p. 200. Fig. 33, Plate VII.
[76] Smith, (c), p. 411.
[Illustration: Fig. 17 (202-8161). Fragment of Coiled Basket of Splint
Foundation and Bifurcated Stitch. From grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide
about half a mile above the mouth of Naches River. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Basketry._ The gathering of berries as well as of roots is suggested by
fragments of baskets which have been found. One of these is shown in
Fig. 17. It was found in grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide about a half
mile above the mouth of the Naches River. It is coiled with splint
foundation and bifurcated stitch. Judging from other baskets of the same
kind, it was probably once imbricated. This type of basketry is widely
distributed towards the north and with grass foundation is even found in
Siberia.[77] Commonly the coiled basketry in the Nez Perce region to the
east was made with bifurcated stitch,[78] by means of a sharpened awl
which was the only instrument used in weaving it. Some were imbricated,
although this style has not been made for many years, and only a few of
the older natives remember women who could make them.[79] Some similar
basketry of a finer technique was found with this fragment.
[77] Jochelson, p. 632.
[78] Spinden, p. 194.
[79] Spinden, p. 193.
PREPARATION OF FOOD.
[Illustration: Fig. 18 (202-8394). Fragment of a Mortar made of Stone.
From among covering boulders of grave No. 42 (4) of adult in sand at the
western edge of Columbia River about twelve miles above the head of
Priest Rapids. 1/4 nat. size.]
_Mortars._ Mortars made of stone for crushing food, such as dried
salmon, other meat and berries, were not uncommon in this region and
pestles of the same material were numerous. Flat oval pebbles were found
scattered on the surface of a village site on the west bank of the
Columbia at the head of Priest Rapids, and were probably used as lap
stones or as objects upon which to crush food. A somewhat circular one
(202-8295) about 230 mm. in diameter has a notch, formed by chipping
from one side, opposite one naturally water-worn, which suggests that it
may have been used as a sinker; but it seems more likely that it was
simply an anvil or lap stone. Similar pebbles were used in the Thompson
River region,[80] some of them having indications of pecking or a slight
pecked depression in the middle of one or both sides. In the Nez Perce
region to the east, basketry funnels were used in connection with flat
stones for mortars. These funnels were of rather crude coil
technique.[81] Another specimen (202-8292b) found at the same place is
merely a water-worn boulder somewhat thinner at one end than at the
other, the surface of which apparently has been rubbed from use as a
mortar or milling stone. A few large chips have been broken from the
thinner edge. Still another specimen (202-8294) from here is a fragment
of a pebble only 120 mm. in diameter with a saucer-shaped depression
about 10 mm. deep, in the top.
[80] Smith, (d), p. 139.
[81] Cf. Spinden, p. 194.
[Illustration: Fig. 19. Mortar made of Stone. From the Yakima
Reservation near Union Gap. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44455,
2-4. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
A somewhat disk-shaped pebble of gray lava 295 mm. in diameter with a
saucer-shaped depression in the top and a large pecked pit in the bottom
(20.0-3344) was collected at Fort Simcoe by Dr. H. J. Spinden. A
fragment of a mortar about 190 mm. in diameter with a nearly flat or
slightly convex base and a depression 50 mm. deep in the top (202-8293)
was found on the surface near the head of Priest Rapids and another
fragment nearly twice as large, the base of which is concave over most
of its surface and shows marks of pecking, apparently the result of an
attempt to make it either quite flat or concave like many other mortars
that have a concavity in each side, is shown in Fig. 18. It was found
among the covering boulders of the grave of an adult, No. 42(4), in the
sand at the western edge of the Columbia River about twelve miles above
the head of Priest Rapids. The mortar shown in Fig. 19, is hollowed in
the top of a symmetrical, nearly circular pebble and has a convex base.
It was found on the Yakima Reservation near Union Gap and is in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.[82] This reminds us of a similar mortar found
in the Thompson River region,[83] but such simple mortars made from
pebbles are rarely found in the Nez Perce region to the east.[84] The
mortar shown in Fig. 20 also from the same place and in the same
collection has a nearly flat base and three encircling grooves.[85]
These grooves find their counterpart in four encircling incisions on the
little mortar found in the Thompson River region.[86]
[82] Museum negative no. 44455. 2-4.
[83] Smith, (c) Fig. 342.
[84] Spinden, Figs. 20 and 22, Plate VI.
[85] Museum negative no. 44455. 4-2.
[86] Smith, (c), Fig. 343.
[Illustration: Fig. 20. Mortar made of Stone. From the Yakima
Reservation near Union Gap. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44455,
2-4. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
The specimen shown in Fig. 116, which may be considered as a dish rather
than a mortar, was seen in the collection of Mrs. Hinman who obtained it
from Priest Rapids. It is apparently of sandstone, 150 mm. in diameter,
50 mm. high, the upper part being 38 mm. high and of disk shape with
slightly bulging sides which are decorated with incised lines,[87] the
lower part being also roughly disk shaped 64 mm. by 76 mm. in diameter
by about 12 mm. high with slightly convex bottom and edges curved out to
the base of the upper part. There is a disk shaped dish in the top 100
mm. in diameter by 12 mm. in depth.[88]
[87] See p. 125.
[88] Museum negative no. 44537. 9-3.
The animal form shown in Fig. 125 bears a mortar or dish in its back.
The object is 203 mm. in length, 88 mm. high and 113 mm. wide. The
length of the bowl is 88 mm., the width 70 mm., and the depth 38 mm. The
object is made of porous lava and was secured from an Indian who claimed
to have found it in a grave near Fort Simcoe on the Yakima Reservation
two miles below Union Gap which is immediately below Old Yakima.[89]
[89] Here reproduced from photographs 44452, 2-1, 44455, 2-4, and
44503, 6-4 and the original which is catalogue no. 36 in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.
It seems strange that so many of the mortars are broken since they would
be hard to break. It will be remembered that one of the broken mortars
came from a grave and it may be that the others were on or in graves but
had been removed in some way. My general impression is that mortars are
much more numerous among archaeological finds both in this region and in
the interior of British Columbia than on the coast.
_Pestles._ In addition to the probable use of pestles with flat stones
or mortars with basket funnels, some of them, especially where nearly
flat or concave on the striking head as in the Thompson River region to
the north and on the coast may also have been used as hammers for
driving wedges, splitting wood and like industries, if indeed they were
not made solely for the latter uses. Some of the pestles differ from
those found either to the north or on the coast, many of them being much
longer, although Mr. James Teit informs me that very long pestles are
occasionally found in the Thompson River region. He has seen four, and
heard of one or two more. One two feet long was found in the Nicola
Valley about 1905. One of the pestles of the Yakima Valley has a top in
the form of an animal hoof, as is shown in Fig. 124. Others like animal
heads are shown in Figs. 31, 33-35. The range of forms of pestles is
shown in Figs. 21 to 35. The specimens shown in Figs. 22 to 28 inclusive
are apparently all of the shorter type, while those shown in the
remaining figures are variations of the longer type. By far the greater
number of pestles, about forty, are of the type shown in Fig. 21, and of
these two thirds come from the vicinity of Priest Rapids. They are
merely natural pebbles, all more or less of suitable size, shape and
material, which have been used as pestles until one end has become
flattened. Some of them are also flattened on the top, the battered ends
often giving the only indication that they were used. Such as were not
of exactly the right form for grasping have had their excrescences or
the more projecting surfaces removed by pecking. A few of these objects
seem to have been made from small basaltic columns, the corners of which
have been pecked into a more suitable shape. Some of them have been
pecked so that they taper gradually from the small upper end to the
base. The specimen considered as a "slave-killer" and shown in Fig. 69,
may have been used as a pestle. Simple short cylindrical or conoid
pebbles, only slightly changed from their natural form, are used for
pestles in the Nez Perce region to the east.[90]
[90] Cf. Spinden, Figs. 1-4, and 8, Plate VIII.
A pebble 559 mm. long by 152 mm. wide and 114 mm. thick, with rounded
corners and ends, found by Mr. John Lacy near the Yakima River in North
Yakima, has longitudinal grooves pecked in three sides to where they
begin to round over to form the end, and a similar groove, except that
it is only about 101 mm. long, in the middle of the fourth side.[91]
These grooves were probably made as part of a process of grooving and
battering down the intervening ridges in order to bring the specimen
into a desired form. Similarly grooved pebbles found on the northern
part of Vancouver Island were explained to Professor Franz Boas as
having been implements in such process of manufacture. So far as I am
aware, Prof. Boas' announcement of this at a meeting of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science was the first explanation of
the sort of grooving or fluting of specimens found in northwestern
America. One similar large specimen (20.0-3343) found at Lewiston,
Idaho, in the Nez Perce region by Dr. H. J. Spinden, bears two
longitudinally pecked grooves in addition to pecking on much of its
surface. A yellowish gray boulder about 349 mm. long, nearly circular in
sections and with rounded ends, from Priest Rapids, bears a pecked
groove 82 mm. long by 31 mm. wide and 6 mm. deep across the middle of
one side. This may have been made to cut it into the length desired for
a pestle.[92] This specimen is much too large to be considered as the
handle of a digging stick, similar to the object from the Nez Perce
region considered as such by Spinden.[93]
[91] In the collection of Mr. Janeck and Museum negative nos. 44453,
2-2 and 44501, 6-2.
[92] In the collection of Mr. Mires, and Museum negative no. 44534,
8-12.
[93] Cf. Spinden, Plate VII, Fig. 33.
[Illustration: Fig. 21 (202-8281). Pestle made of Stone. From the
surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 22 (202-8263). Pestle pecked from Stone. Probably
unfinished. From the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/4 nat.
size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 23 (202-8399). Pestle pecked from Stone. Probably
unfinished. From the surface, eight miles above the head of Priest
Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
The object shown in Fig. 22, one of those from the surface near the head
of Priest Rapids, judging from the battered end, has apparently been
used as a pestle, yet it is still apparently in process of manufacture
into a form somewhat like that shown in Fig. 27. The pecking at the top
is possibly the result of an attempt to remove that portion of the rock,
while the transversely pecked surface seems to be a beginning towards
the formation of the shaft of the pestle, whereas the longitudinal
groove between these two surfaces was necessary to reduce an excrescence
on the rim of what was apparently intended to be the knob at the top of
the pestle. If this supposition be true, when finished, this object
would have a large striking head resembling more in shape and size those
of the pestles of the region near The Dalles than any yet found in this
region. The specimen shown in Fig. 23 is much more clearly an unfinished
pestle. The ends are pecked flat and the entire middle section has been
pecked, apparently to reduce it to the desired size of the shaft. It
seems that the striking head of this specimen, when finished, would be
rather short. It was found on the surface eight miles above the head of
Priest Rapids.
The pestle shown in Fig. 24 has a conoid body with no striking head and
in this respect resembles the pestles of the Thompson River country;[94]
but the top is roughly disk-shaped, being neither hat-shaped nor in the
form of an animal head, as are most pestles of the Thompson region nor
is it exactly of the shape of the typical pestles of northern and
western Vancouver Island.[95] The material is a soft gray stone which
shows the marks of the pecking by means of which it was shaped.
[94] Smith, (c), Fig. 341.
[95] Smith, (b), Fig. _126a_.
[Illustration: Fig. 24. Pestle made of Stone. From Priest Rapids. 1/2
nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44535, 9-1. Original in the collection
of Mr. Mires.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 25. Pestle made of Stone. From Priest Rapids. 1/2
nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44535, 9-1. Original in the collection
of Mr. Mires.)]
Fig. 25 illustrates a pestle, the top of which is broken off. There are
two grooves encircling the somewhat cylindrical striking head. The
material is a light blue hard porphoritic rock. These two specimens are
from Priest Rapids.[96] The pestle shown in Fig. 26 is from the Yakima
River, five miles below Old Yakima. It has a hat-shaped top and a
cylindrical striking head a little larger at the top than at the bottom,
is somewhat like the typical pestles of the Thompson River region,[97]
and is in the collection of Mr. York. Another has a slightly wider brim
to the hat-shaped top, a body concave in outline and the striking head
is larger at the top than at the bottom, while a third has a medium
sized brim, a body bulging in the middle and a long cylindrical striking
head. The last two specimens are in the collection of Mr. Janeck, and
are from the Yakima Valley within eight miles of North Yakima.[98]
[96] In the collection of Mr. Mires, and Museum negative no. 44335,
9-1.
[97] Smith, (d), p. 138.
[98] Museum negative no. 44454, 2-3.
The specimen shown in Fig. 27 was found in a grave with beads and
resembles the typical pestles of Lytton except that it has no nipple on
the top, which is of the shape of the tops of the typical pestles of
northern and western Vancouver Island. Another of nearly the same shape
but less regular was found on the surface of the Yakima Valley within
eight miles of North Yakima. A third specimen 234 mm. long, also found
within the above mentioned limits, is made of a concavely flaring
pebble. A groove is pecked part way around near the top as if to carve
the knob and begin the reduction of the top of the shaft. There is also
a pecked surface on one side near the base, apparently the beginning of
an attempt to form a striking head by first removing irregularities. The
one shown in Fig. 28 was found within eight miles of North Yakima and is
of rather unusual shape, having a short striking head of the shape of
the typical pestles of northern and western Vancouver Island. The
slightly bulging body and exceedingly small, nearly flat knob at the top
are entirely different from those of the pestles usually found in any of
this area, or the country adjacent to it on the north and west. These
four specimens are in the collection of Mr. Janeck.[99]
[99] Museum negative no. 44454, 2-3.
There are found in the Nez Perce region[100] short pestles with
dome-shaped tops, cylindrical bodies and rather long striking heads of
the form of triangular or quadrangular prisms with rounded corners
slightly larger at the top than at the bottom[101] and such pestles with
hat-shaped tops, although one has a flat top, slightly expanding shafts
and long striking heads, larger at the top than at the bottom.
[100] Cf. Spinden, Figs. 11, 19, 21, 23, Plate VI; also Plate VIII,
Figs. 10, 11.
[101] Spinden, p. 186, Plate VIII, Fig. 9.
Fig. 29 is the first of those showing the longer type of pestle from the
Yakima region. This specimen was found at Satus on the Yakima
Reservation near Old Yakima and is in the collection of Mr. York. The
top is somewhat spherical and the body elongated. Its conoid shape may
class it with the one shown in Fig. 24. It somewhat reminds us of the
pestles of the Santa Catalina Islands of California, but until we have a
more definite knowledge of the forms in the vast intervening area, this
resemblance must be considered as merely a coincidence, especially since
long simple conoid pestles are found in the Nez Perce region to the
east.[102] A somewhat similar pestle in Mr. York's collection is 408
mm. long, and has a tapering body, circular in sections, a knob at the
top about the size of the base and a convex striking face. It was found
at Fort Simcoe.
[102] Cf. Spinden, Plate VI, Figs. 8-10, Plate VIII, Fig. 6.
[Illustration: Fig. 26. Pestle made of Stone. From Yakima River five
miles below Old Yakima. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from a sketch. Original in
the collection of Mr. York.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 27. Pestle made of Stone. From a grave in the Yakima
Valley. About 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44454, 2-3. Original
in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 28. Pestle made of Stone. From the surface in the
Yakima Valley within eight miles of North Yakima. About 1/2 nat. size.
(Drawn from photograph 44454, 2-3. Original in the collection of Mr.
Janeck.)]
The pestle shown in Fig. 30 is made of sandstone, was found at Priest
Rapids and is in the collection of Mrs. Hinman. The shaft is a long
cylinder, expanding somewhat towards the base which is only slightly
convex. Like the preceding, it has no striking head. It has a
hemispherical top, is unusually large and is decorated with an
encircling line of circles and dots. There is also a circle and dot in
the top. This decoration is again mentioned in the consideration of art
on p. 130.[103]
[103] Museum negative no. 44537, 9-3.
The pestle shown in Fig. 31 is 355 mm. long. It has a conoid body
perhaps more pronounced than the one shown in Fig. 29 but much less
typical than the one shown in Fig. 24. The top is apparently intended to
represent an animal head. It is made of very hard breccia and well
polished. At each side of the lower part of the body is a design made by
four parallel zigzag grooves, further discussed on p. 132. It was found
in the Yakima Valley, and is in the collection of Mr. Janeck.[104] A
pestle figured by Spinden, as from the Nez Perce Indians,[105] is
somewhat similar to this in that it has a knob protruding slightly to
one side, but there is a notch or groove made longitudinally in the top
of this knob.
[104] Museum negative no. 44502, 6-3.
[105] Spinden, Fig. 7, Plate VIII.
The pestle shown in Fig. 32 might perhaps be considered as a war club.
It was found at Priest Rapids and is in the collection of Mr. Mires. The
top is somewhat flat and smoothed. There is a groove around the specimen
near this end. From here it constricts gradually to the lower end which
is broken off. It was made from a triangular piece of gray basalt,
probably a column, the natural angles and parts of the faces of which
have been reduced by pecking.[106]
[106] Museum negative no. 44534, 8-12.
The specimen shown in Fig. 33 from the Yakima Valley, is in the
collection of Mr. Janeck and is 630 mm. long. The top apparently
represents an animal head indicated by three nipples the larger of which
is interpreted as representing the nose, the others as indicating the
ears. The body is of circular cross section and expands evenly to a
cylindrical striking head 70 mm. in diameter by 76 mm. long.[107]
[107] Museum negative no. 44502, 6-3.
A long pestle with a knob at the top which is divided into four
pyramidal or dome-shaped nipples was found at Five Mile Rapids on Snake
River and was seen in Mr. Owen's collection. The next figure represents
a stone pestle of somewhat similar shape but more specialized. It was
found in the Yakima Valley and is in the collection of Mr. Janeck. It is
590 mm. long. The top is roughly the form of the fustrum of a cone,
being circular in cross section and gradually expanding downward, but it
is somewhat celt-shaped, the sides for some distance being ground off
nearly flat. They approach each other more closely towards the front
than they do towards the back. In each of these surfaces there is an
incision which represents one side of an animal's mouth and a pecked dot
indicating an eye. The tip of the nose is broken off. Across the curved
part behind the flat surfaces or on the back of this animal head are
four incisions. Below this portion the object is circular in section
until near its middle, or 178 mm. from the top, where there is a band
roughly sub-pentagonal in section with rounded corners 88 mm. long.
Following this band it is nearly cylindrical, being 57 mm. in diameter
for 178 mm. until it expands suddenly into the striking head which is
unusually bulging, 108 mm. long by 64 mm. in diameter.[108]
[108] Museum negative no. 44502, 6-3.
[Illustration: Fig. 29. Pestle made of Stone. From Satus on the Yakima
Reservation near Old Yakima. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from a sketch.
Original in the collection of Mr. York.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 30. Pestle made of Sandstone. From Priest Rapids.
1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44537, 9-3. Original in the
collection of Mrs. Hinman.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 31. Pestle made of Stone. From the Yakima Valley.
1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44502, 6-3. Original in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
The object 498 mm. long shown in Fig. 35 is made of steatite, material
seemingly unsuited by its softness for a pestle, and may possibly be a
war club. Mr. McCandless, in whose collection it is, calls the material
a soft sandstone which he says is found at the head of the Wenatchie
River. He says the specimen is from Lake Chelan and that he obtained it
from a man above Wenatchie on the Columbia River. This man told him that
he secured it from Chief Moses' tribe on Lake Chelan, and that the
Indians there call it a war club and a family heirloom. The upper end is
of the form of a truncated pyramid with two flat sides, two bulging
edge's and rounded corners. It shows peck marks and is engraved as
described under art, on p. 124, and is said by the Indians to represent
the head of a snake. The shaft is circular in cross section and
gradually enlarges towards the base where it suddenly constricts. The
specimen has been polished by the natural sand blast.[109]
[109] Museum negative no. 44507, 6-8.
The noise of the women at one of the Nez Perce villages, pounding roots,
reminded Lewis of a nail factory.[110] Beyond the Nez Perce country
which bounds this area on the east, according to Spinden,[111] the use
of stone pestles disappears until the region of the Great Lakes is
reached, but I have seen pestles in collections in Wyoming which are
said to have been found in that state.
[110] Lewis and Clark, V, p. 16.
[111] Spinden, p. 187.
_Rollers._ Another class of specimens considered as pestles or rollers
is shown in Figs. 36 and 37. These do not seem to have been used as
pestles.
[Illustration: Fig. 32. Pestle made of Stone. From Priest Rapids. 1/4
nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44534, 8-12. Original in the
collection of Mr. Mires.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 33. Pestle made of Stone. From the Yakima Valley.
1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 41502, 6-3. Original in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 34. Pestle made of Stone. From the Yakima Valley.
1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44502, 6-3. Original in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 35. Pestle made of Steatite. From Lake Chelan. 1/4
nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44507, 6-8. Original in the collection
of Mr. McCandless.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 36. Pestle or Roller made of Stone. From Priest
Rapids. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44537, 9-3. Original in
the collection of Mrs. Hinman.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 37 (202-8197). Pestle or Roller made of Stone. From
the surface, about one mile east of Fort Simcoe. 1/4 nat. size.]
The one shown in Fig. 36 from Priest Rapids is in the collection of Mrs.
Hinman. The convex ends of this cylindrical form present the natural
surface of a pebble and they are not battered. The material is a
yellowish quartzite or closely allied rock. It is 457 mm. long, 75 mm.
in diameter and the entire cylindrical surface has been pecked
apparently to bring it to form. If it had been used as a pestle the
ends would show the signs of battering or grinding. The cylindrical
surface does not seem to show any signs of its having been used as a
roller or grinder. It may possibly be a pestle in process of manufacture
although it seems very strange that so much work should have been
expended on the cylindrical surface in a region where natural pebbles
very nearly of this shape were common.[112] The specimen shown in Fig.
37 is apparently made of basalt and was found on the surface about a
mile east of Fort Simcoe. The ends are considerably chipped and one of
them has apparently been somewhat battered since. If the object were
used as a pestle the chipping of the ends is unusually great. The
cylindrical surface has been formed by pecking except in one place where
the natural surface shows. This bit of natural surface is such that it
suggests the specimen to have been made of a prismatic basaltic column.
While these two specimens may have been intended for pestles, it seems
possible that they were made for rollers. Several such objects made of
stone were seen in Mr. Owen's collection. He says that they were used
like rolling pins for crushing camas and kouse roots in making bread.
Both of these roots were extensively used in the Nez Perce region to the
east.[113]
[112] Museum negative no. 44537, 9-3.
[113] Spinden, pp. 201-203.
[Illustration: Fig. 38 (202-8157). Fragment of Hearth of Fire Drill.
From Grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide about half a mile above the mouth
of Naches River. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Fish Knives._ No fish knives made of slate were found, as in the
Thompson River region, at Lytton,[114] rarely at Kamloops,[115] and
commonly on the coast at Fraser Delta,[116] Comox,[117] and
Nanaimo.[118]
[114] Smith, (d), p. 140.
[115] Smith, (c) p. 414.
[116] Smith, (a), p. 159.
[117] Smith, (b), p. 315.
[118] P. 345, _ibid._
_Fire Making._ The method of making fire formerly employed in this
region is suggested by a fragment of the hearth of a fire drill found in
grave No. 10 (5) in a rock-slide about one half a mile above the mouth
of the Naches River and is shown in Fig. 38. It is made of porous wood,
of light cellular structure, possibly cottonwood. This is similar to the
fire drill hearths of the Thompson River region,[119] where I have seen
the Thompson River Indians make fire with the palm drill, using
cottonwood root for the hearth. In the Nez Perce region to the east,
also, fire was made with the palm drill, the hearth stick being of the
root of the light leaved willow or the stem of "smoke wood." It was of
the shape of the hearth here described. The twirling stick was made of
the dead tips of red fir.[120]
[119] Teit, (a), p. 203.
[120] Spinden, p. 200.
_Caches._ A number of small circular holes about four feet in diameter,
encircled by a slight ridge, as mentioned on p. 15, were seen which are
possibly the remains of ancient food caches. The Nez Perce Indians in
the region to the east referred to a field at Kamiah, near the mouth of
Lawyer's Creek which has the appearance of being "hilled" like an old
hop field, as being the site of winter cache pits.[121]
[121] Spinden, p. 181.
_Boiling._ Natural pebbles were plentiful in the river bottoms near the
village sites. Such were no doubt used in boiling food in baskets or
boxes, as fragments of burned and cracked pebbles were also found while
pottery was entirely absent. These facts suggest that it was the custom
to boil the food in baskets or even in boxes as on the coast to the
west. This idea is strengthened by the fact that in the Nez Perce region
to the east, watertight coiled baskets were regularly used in
cooking.[122] We may naturally suppose that roasting before open fires
was also customary in this region. No fireplaces such as were probably
used in this area and are found in the Nez Perce region,[123] were
recognized by us, although beds of clam shells previously mentioned, may
indicate the sites of ancient hearths.
[122] Spinden, pp. 190 and 194.
[123] Spinden, p. 178.
HABITATIONS.
_Semi-subterranean House Sites._ Sites of ancient semi-subterranean
winter houses, modern lodges and what may possibly have been a shell
heap were seen and photographed by us in this region. Two of the
examples of the remains of semi-subterranean house sites found here, as
shown in Fig. 2, Plate IV, had stones on top of the surrounding
embankments. Although on the top of the embankments of the remains of
similar underground winter houses in the Thompson River region,[124] we
saw no stones other than those of the soil. I am informed by Mr. James
Teit that such are occasionally to be found there also, but that these
stones are generally found only in those places where boulders were
removed during the excavation for the houses. He was told that it was
the custom to place these boulders around the base of the house. Two
semi-subterranean winter house sites, as mentioned on pp. 7 and 15, may
be seen on the flat along the north side of the Yakima River about a
mile below the mouth of the Naches. One of these may be seen in Fig. 2,
Plate III.[125] There are water-worn boulders in and on the embankments
surrounding them. These boulders were probably uncovered during the
excavation for the house. The holes are situated within twenty-five feet
of the river and between it and the Yakima Ridge which rises by
perpendicular cliffs, almost immediately behind these winter house
sites. In fact, the photograph reproduced in the figure was taken from
the hill side north of the pit and just up stream from the cliffs. They
are on a little terrace about three feet high which gives them the
appearance of having been connected by a ridge. The hole shown in the
figure measured from the top of the ridge was nine feet deep. The top of
the bank measured at points on the flat between it and the river, up
stream from it, and between it and the hill, was four feet, two feet,
and two feet, four inches, respectively. Averaging these measurements,
the height of the embankment above the level is thirty-three and one
third inches. The hole was so near the level of the river, and was so
deep that when we visited it on June 18, 1903, which was during high
water, the waters of the Yakima had soaked through the terrace and were
about two feet deep in the bottom of the hole where it was about eight
feet in diameter, measuring north and south. Measuring in the same
direction the diameter of the top of the hole from points inside of the
surrounding ridge was twenty-two feet, from points on top thirty-three
feet, from points outside forty-seven feet, and from points outside of
the wash from the ridge fifty-one feet. These measurements give us
twelve and a half feet as an approximate width of the ridge or fourteen
and a half feet if we measure from the bottom of the wash. The two sites
mentioned on pp. 7 and 16 were also examined and photographed by us. One
is plainly shown from the north of west in Fig. 2, Plate IV. They are
located on a high terrace on the north side of the Naches River about
one and a half miles above its mouth. There are angular rocks on each
encircling ridge. Some of the large angular rocks found on the
embankment of this ridge, may also have been dug out during the
excavation for the house if such rocks are found under the surface of
the soil in this terrace. Similar rocks are scattered about on the
surface so thickly that it must have been necessary to remove a number
of them from the site where the house was to stand and possibly others
that were scattered about may have been put up around the base of the
house in order to clear the immediate vicinity especially since many of
them are disagreeably sharp angular fragments.[126]
[124] Smith, (d), p. 140 and Fig. 2, Plate XIII; (c), p. 414.
[125] Museum negative no. 44517, 7-7 from the north. Negative no.
44518, 7-8 shows the same from the northwest.
[126] These two sites are represented by Museum negatives nos.
44181, 4-6 reproduced in the figure; 44491, from the west; and
44492, 5-5 nearer from the west.
Measuring the site best shown in the figure, east and west, the level
floor inside the extreme wash from the ridge is nine feet in diameter,
the rocks fallen from the ridge thirteen feet, the inner edge of the
ridge 20 feet, the points on the top of the embankment, twenty-five and
a half feet; the outside of the rocks, thirty feet; the extremes of the
embankment thirty-five feet. These measurements north and south are
respectively, nine feet, thirteen and a half feet, sixteen and a half
feet, twenty-one feet, twenty-five and a half feet and thirty-three
feet. Judging from these measurements, the original dimensions were
probably thirty feet by twenty-five and a half feet over all,
twenty-five and a half feet by twenty-one feet for the top of the
embankment, twenty by sixteen and a half feet for the inside of the
embankment and sixteen and a half feet by fifteen feet for the bottom of
the floor. These measurements are also east and west and north and south
respectively. The present depth of the hole below the top of the rocks
is twenty-nine inches and from the top of the earth embankment is
twenty-six and twenty-one inches. The measurements were taken east and
west and north and south respectively. The slope of the hill from north
to south and its attendant wash, of course, affect the north and south
measurements, while the east and west measurements are probably near the
original dimensions. Contiguous to this hole on the south, or in the
sage brush to the right in the figure, is the other site. It is on the
slope of the hill and not so clearly shown in the Plate. This hole
measures ten and a half feet by eleven feet across the level floor
inside; thirteen by fourteen feet inside of the rocks; nineteen by
eighteen feet at the top of the embankment twenty-three by twenty-three
feet outside of the rocks; and twenty-seven by twenty-six feet outside
of the embankment; fourteen and eighteen inches in depth from the top of
the rocks and ten and twelve inches from the top of the earth, the
measurements being taken east and west and north and south respectively.
Mr. G. R. Shafer informed me that there were holes, the remains of old
houses on the flat in the Naches Valley, twelve miles above the Nelson
Bridge which crosses the river a short distance above the mouth of
Cowiche Creek. At Fort Simcoe, immediately south of the Indian agency,
on the north edge of "scab land" overlooking a small ravine as mentioned
on p. 8, is a large pit surrounded by an embankment of earth, the
remains of a winter house site. This hole is so deep and the embankment
is so high that both Mrs. Lynch and the Indians call it a fort. About
fifteen miles above Kennewick on the eastern side of the Columbia River,
according to Mr. D. W. Owen, there were the remains of hundreds of
semi-underground winter houses and we saw several large and deep sites
immediately below Mr. Craig's house above Priest Rapids as mentioned on
page 20.
A semi-subterranean winter house, with an entrance through the roof,
seen by Lewis and Clark[127] on the north side of the Columbia near the
mouth of White Salmon River, was uninhabited at that time (1805). As
described, it does not differ from the winter house of the Thompson
Indians. The Chinook, so far as we know, never erected such houses. The
pit of an underground house, according to Clark[128] was found among the
Nez Perce. Gibbs[129] mentions what were probably similar pits on the
Lower Yakima. Kane[130] describes a somewhat similar house used by the
Walla Walla but much ruder. Such houses were used by the Klamath.[131]
[127] Lewis, p. 185; Lewis and Clark, IV, p. 280.
[128] Lewis and Clark, V, p. 35.
[129] Gibbs, (a), p. 409.
[130] Kane, p. 272.
[131] Gatschet, pp. 177, 124; Abbott in the Pacific Railroad Report,
VI, p. 69.
Not far from the ranch of Mr. Frank Turner on Rock Creek about six miles
below Rock Lake on Section 6, Town 18 north, Range 40 east in the
country locally known as "The Rocks," there are two pits that are
supposed to be the remains of houses which with other remains (pp. 29,
82, 140) have been in their present condition since about 1874 when they
were first seen by the whites. Both the pioneers and the old Indians are
said to know nothing about them. Mr. Turner's place is best reached from
Sprague on the Northern Pacific Railroad, although his Post Office is
Winona. My information regarding these two pits is from Mr. J. S.
Cotton, then in charge of cooperative range work in Washington.
It is quite possible as pointed out by Lewis[132] that the introduction
of the buffalo skin covered lodge which probably came after the advent
of the horse into this region, had something to do with the apparent
scarcity of the semi-subterranean winter house in the Yakima region in
historic times, the buffalo skin lodge possibly having taken the place
of the earth-covered dwellings.
[132] Lewis, p. 186.
The so-called cremation circles near Cherry Creek and near the mouth of
the Naches which were mentioned on pp. 12 and 15 and described on pp.
163 and 157, may be the remains of small houses of the type of
semi-subterranean winter house sites that were made especially as grave
houses. As before mentioned, this type of semi-subterranean circular
lodge is found as far north as the Thompson River country, and I have
seen one site on the prairie near Rochester, Thurston Co., probably of
this type. In the Nez Perce region to the east, remains that appear like
those of semi-subterranean houses consisting of ridges of earth about a
foot above the general level of the ground, surrounding a circular pit,
from three to five feet deep, measuring from the top of the ridge; and
about seventy feet in diameter, are found near the mouth of Tammany
Creek on the east bank of Snake River, a few miles above Lewiston. The
site may be identified with Hasutin.[133] The place is known to have
been used as a camp until about 1878, especially during the season of
lamprey eel fishing. These house rings are in several groups. A little
charcoal, some unio shell, flint chips, a digging stick with a bone
handle, glass beads and other objects are reported to have been found in
them. Somewhat similar house rings about twenty-five feet in diameter
were found on the south bank of the Middle fork of Clearwater River,
near the town of Kooskia. Spinden[134] refers to Lewis and Clark[135]
for evidence of considerable antiquity for the circular house rings in
this Nez Perce region. They mention one as being about thirty feet in
diameter with a rim over three feet high and the floor sunken four feet
below the surface of the ground or seven feet below the top of the rim.
The Mountain Snakes, according to Ross[136] never used underground
houses.
[133] Spinden p. 179.
[134] Spinden, p. 197.
[135] Lewis and Clark, V, p. 33.
[136] Ross, (b), II, p. 117.
At the site near Kooskia there is another type of house site such as I
have not seen in the Yakima, Thompson or Coast regions. Spinden
describes them as long and narrow, about sixty to eighty-five feet long
by eighteen feet wide. The interior is sunken from one to three feet and
surrounded by well marked elevated rims. As a rule, these pits are not
so deep or clearly marked as those of the circular type. The axis of the
house is parallel with the river. He states that these house sites have
not been used for a long time and that trees, some of which are eighteen
inches in diameter grow directly out of them. Excavation revealed a
number of fireplaces about twelve feet apart along the axis of these
houses suggesting that they were communal lodges.[137] We discovered no
indications of communal dwellings in the Yakima region.
[137] Spinden, p. 197.
_Circles of Stones (Summer House Sites)._ A circle of stones which
marked a small lodge site was examined and photographed. The stones were
no doubt cleared from the interior and all or part of these possibly
with others, were no doubt used to hold down the lodge covers. Although
I saw no such circle of stones in the Thompson River region I am
informed by Mr. Teit that they are occasionally to be seen there and
that they represent old lodge sites. The circle of stones
above-mentioned as described on p. 15 was found on a terrace somewhat
lower than the one on which were situated the remains of the two
semi-subterranean houses described on p. 52. This terrace is a few yards
down stream from the one on which they stand, and is separated from it
by a small ravine. The site is a little further down the stream and
towards the southeast. It is shown in Fig. 1, Plate IV,[138] from the
point on the hillside a few feet above it to the north, shown on the
lower end of the slope in Fig. 2, Plate IV and in negative nos. 44491,
5-4, and 44492, 5-5. This circle of stones on the level ground was made
up of angular rocks such as are scattered on the immediate surface. It
measures ten by eleven feet in diameter inside; fifteen by seventeen
feet from the top of the circle; and twenty-two by twenty-three feet
over all. The top of the highest stones was from fourteen to twelve
inches above the middle of the space enclosed which as before stated,
seemed to be on a level with the outside, all measuring being east to
west and north to south respectively. Among the rocks was found a
chipped piece of jasper or brown chalcedony.
[138] Museum negative no. 44482, 4-7 from the north.
No saucer-shaped depressions were seen in the Yakima region, although it
is quite probable that they formerly existed and have been obliterated
by weathering. It will be remembered that such saucer-shaped depressions
are often made by sweeping out the summer lodges in the Thompson River
region[139] and that they marked the sites of such houses.
[139] Smith, (c), p. 405.
Two summer lodges photographed[140] by us near Ellensburg which were
mentioned on page 12 and the one seen below Union Gap down stream from
Old Yakima, resemble those of the Thompson River region to the north. It
will be remembered that mat covered tipis are found in the Nez Perce
region to the east.[141] Lewis and Clark[142] mention but one buffalo
skin lodge among the Nez Perce in 1806 and that was apparently reserved
for special occasions, but a few years later this type of lodge had
practically supplanted the mat lodge among that tribe and was in common
use among all the interior Salish and Sahaptin tribes. The mat houses of
the Yakima are mentioned by Gibbs in the Pacific Railroad Reports.[143]
[140] Summer lodge, covered with cloth, Japanese matting and Indian
matting July, 1903; East of Ellensburg. Museum negatives no. 44523,
8-1 from the southeast; no. 44524, 8-2, from the west; and no.
44525, 8-3 a nearer view; and summer lodge covered with cloth, July
1903, in the northern part of Ellensburg, Museum negative no. 44526,
8-4 from the east.
[141] Spinden, Fig. 6, Plate X.
[142] Lewis and Clark, V, p. 16.
[143] Gibbs, (a), I, p. 407.
A pile of stones shown in Fig. 2, Plate V[144] and mentioned on p. 20 as
uncovered by the wash of the flood waters of the Columbia, was seen on
the bottom-lands on the western side of the Columbia, south of Sentinal
Bluffs and within a hundred feet north of the house of Mr. Britain
Everette Craig. It is possible that this may have been a house hearth or
ancient cooking place, although the presence of human bones among these
stones, suggests that it was a grave covered with flat oval river
pebbles. Near by, uncovered by the same wash, was a small patch of fresh
water unio shells shown from the west of south in Fig. 1, Plate V.[145]
This was probably kitchen refuse. The little pits, each encircled with a
slight embankment made up of the soil thrown out in making it, p. 15,
are probably the remains of food caches near the houses.
[144] Museum negative no. 44530, 8-8 from the southwest.
[145] Museum negative no. 44531, 8-9 from the west of south.
TOOLS USED BY MEN.
A number of objects which seem to be tools intended to be used by men
are found in this region. Among these may be mentioned a wedge,
hammerstones, a celt, a hand-adze, drills, scrapers, and an arrow-shaft
smoother.
_Wedges._ Wedges made of antler were not frequently found by us as in
the Thompson River region,[146] although according to Lewis, elk horn
wedges or chisels were used for splitting wood in the general plateau
region of which this is a part.[147] One specimen, however (202-8378b),
was found on the surface near the head of Priest Rapids, which is
apparently a longitudinal fragment of a wedge broken off at the top and
cut by longitudinal grooving along one edge, the other edge being a
portion of the surface of the wedge formed by cutting convexly across
the antler. The specimen is bleached from exposure on the surface.
Another wedge, shown in Fig. 39, was found on the surface near the
Columbia River below the mouth of the Snake. It is made of antler which
has since been bleached from exposure on the surface of the ground.
[146] Smith, (d), p. 141; (c), p. 414.
[147] Lewis, p. 186.
[Illustration: Fig. 39 (20.0-1464). Wedge made of Antler. From the
surface near the Columbia River below the Mouth of the Snake. 1/2 nat.
size. (Collected and presented by Mr. Owen.)]
The top was partly cut off and then broken across, while one side edge
shows where the antler was grooved lengthwise for over half its length,
from the inner surface and then broken out. This shows that the process
of cutting up pieces of antler in this region was similar to that
employed in cutting both antler and nephrite, in the Thompson River
region and on the coast of British Columbia and Washington. It has since
been battered. One side shows the nearly flat outer surface of part of
the antler, the other has been cut off to form the wedge, which is
constricted towards the point so that it assumes a somewhat spatulate
form. This specimen is twisted, until the point is in a plane about 45°
from the poll. It was collected by Mr. Owen who believes it to have been
used as a spatula for grinding paint upon the surface of a rock. Wedges
made of elk antler are common in the Nez Perce region where they are
said to have almost completely supplanted celts.[148]
[148] Spinden, pp. 182 and 189, Fig. 5^7.
Although no wedges were found by us in the Yakima Valley proper, and we
can mention only these two specimens in the whole Yakima region yet it
seems probable that they were here used and for the same purposes as in
the Thompson River region to the north, the Nez Perce area to the east
and on the coast to the west for splitting timber, for cutting firewood
and for general carpenter work. Perhaps their relative scarcity here, as
compared with the Thompson and the Nez Perce country, may be explained
by supposing that wooden wedges, such as are more common than antler
wedges on the coast, and which may have decayed were here used more than
those made of antler.
While the stone hammers or pestles with convex bases, which are
described on p. 39 et seq. were probably largely used for crushing food
and other material; yet some of them and those with concave bases, were
undoubtedly sometimes used as hammers for driving wedges, setting
stakes, pinning out skins and for similar purposes.
_Hammerstones._ The deeply pitted hammer, such as is found in the
Mississippi Valley, was not seen here, and it will be remembered[149]
that they were not found in the Thompson River region. Tough pebbles,
however, were used for pounding. At the quarry shop mentioned on p. 16,
we found a number of pebbles that were evidently used in breaking up the
material out of which to make chipped implements. One of these
(202-8129) is merely a water-worn pebble, 73 mm. long, an edge of which
has been broken off, and a sharp corner shows signs of its having been
used as a hammer, as it has been battered and shows where one large chip
has come off. It will be remembered that in the vicinity of the shop
where the specimen was found, pebbles were rarely if ever seen, although
the surface of the ground was covered with weathered fragments of
volcanic rock. Another specimen (202-8127) found at the same place,
shown southeast of the quarry pit, in Fig. 1, Plate III, is 155 mm. long
and of a rather irregular cross section. The ends are battered and
fractured from use. Apparently it may have been held between the two
hands and used in breaking off large pieces of material. A longer hammer
pebble, bearing the same catalogue number, and found at the same place,
shows on the top of the quarry dump to the left centre in Fig. 1, Plate
III. It is about 270 mm. long. In cross section it tends to be
triangular with rounded corners. The ends are battered and long slivers
have been broken off. The specimen shown in Fig. 40 is from the same
place, shorter, but similar in that the section is sub-triangular and
that each end is both battered and slivered. Other battered pebbles and
fragments slivered from them were found at the same place. The
hammerstone shown in Fig. 41 was found on the surface near the head of
Priest Rapids. It is an oval pebble, nearly twice as wide as it is
thick, of yellowish brown color, which has been used for a hammer, as is
indicated by the battered and chipped condition of its ends.
[149] Smith, (d), p. 142; (c), pp. 415 and 440, Fig. 38.
[Illustration: Fig. 40 (202-8128). Hammerstone. From quarry on north
side of Naches River about two miles above its mouth. 1/2 nat. size.]
Another specimen, shown in Fig. 42, is made of a hard, dark green or
bluish, water-worn pebble. It was found in the Snake River Valley,
twenty miles above the mouth of the river, and is in the collection of
Mr. Owen. Both ends are battered and the margins of the battered
surfaces are chipped. Mr. Owen says such objects were used in pecking
pestles, mortars, and similar implements into shape. Fig. 43 illustrates
one of these hammerstones, found on the surface at Kennewick. It is a
part of a pebble of tough dark blue material, apparently glassy basalt.
One side edge and one end have been chipped and show large scars on each
side of the side edge and several on one side of the top. Near the
middle of one side, and opposite it on the other side edge, there are
signs of pecking which suggest an attempt at grooving. The lower corner
of the pebble shows signs of having been used as a hammer for pecking. A
small spatulate pebble slightly curved (202-8215), found at the same
place, is battered entirely around the edge of its larger end and in one
place on the side of the narrow end. The battering has given it a smooth
surface in places which suggests that it was used for pecking, rather
than chipping. A large, rather flat, oval pebble (202-8213) from the
same place has large chips off from both sides of its edge in three
places, three fourths of its edge being so chipped. This seems more
likely to be a hammerstone used for chipping.
[Illustration: Fig. 41 (202-8292a). Hammerstone. From the surface, near
the head of Priest Rapids, 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 42. Hammerstone made of a Hard, Water-worn Pebble.
From Snake River Valley twenty miles above its mouth. 1/2 nat. size.
(Drawn from a sketch. Original in the collection of Mr. Owen.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 43 (202-8119). Hammerstone. From the surface,
Kennewick. 1/2 nat. size.]
The long, narrow, oval pebble, shown in Fig. 44, is about 140 mm. long,
of a yellow, volcanic, coarse-grained rock, and is in the collection of
Mr. Austin Mires of Ellensburg. This was found at Priest Rapids. The top
is battered and slightly chipped, the other end has been battered to a
rather flat edge, and this battered surface extends one half way up one
side of the specimen and two thirds of the way up the other.[150] A
large flat oval pebble (202-8214), found on the Cherry Creek camp site,
has a notch pecked in each side edge and is battered slightly on one
end. It may have been notched for hafting as a hammer, or for use as a
net sinker, but the battered end suggests the former use. These pebbles
which have been used as hammerstones, remind us of the unbattered
pebbles found with pieces of glassy basalt in certain caches near
Kamloops.[151] Pebbles used as hammerstones are also found in the Nez
Perce region to the east[152] and according to Lewis stone hammers were
used for splitting wood in the general plateau region of which this is a
part.[153]
[150] Museum negative, no. 44534, 8-2.
[151] Described by Smith, (c), p. 415.
[152] Spinden, p. 188.
[153] Lewis, p. 186; Lewis and Clark, III, p. 124.
A pebble, oval in outline and in cross section (202-8303), found on the
surface of the bank of the Columbia River, near the head of Priest
Rapids, is battered on one side edge near the middle in a way that
suggests that the place was for the reception of the end of a handle.
The lower edge is battered and the top has a large chip off of each
side. It was probably used as a hammerstone. Another flat oval pebble of
lava (202-8305) found at the same place, is chipped on both sides of the
entire edge; but the edge is not sharp, apparently having been dulled by
scraping, the natural sand blast or weathering. A disk or
sub-oblong-shaped pebble (202-8304) also found at the same place is
chipped from one side only across the entire edge at a slight bevel so
that it has a nearly flat edge. The high places of the edge are smoothed
as if from its use in pecking, yet it does not seem to have been much
used for such a purpose or to need to have been chipped into disk form
for that use.
None of the pebbles which were notched and supposed to be net sinkers,
as mentioned on p. 30 and that were found in this region, show battered
ends or appear as if they had been used as hammers. On the other hand,
some of the grooved pebbles described as net sinkers are battered, p.
30. It will be remembered[154] that no notched hammers or those grooved
entirely around, like those found here, were found in the Thompson River
region, although a pebble which had been notched or grooved on two edges
was found and figured as a hammer.[155] Nor was the grooved stone maul
used by the Nez Perce to the east according to Spinden[156] although
many specimens are found on the Umatilla in northern Oregon to the
south.[157]
[154] Smith, (c), p. 415.
[155] _Ibid._, Fig. 347.
[156] Spinden, p. 188.
[157] Lewis, p. 186; Lewis and Clark, III, p. 124.
[Illustration: Fig. 44. Hammerstone made of a Close-Grained Yellow
Volcanic Pebble. From Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from
photograph 44534, 8-2. Original in the collection of Mr. Mires.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 45. Celt made of Serpentine. From an Indian at
Ellensburg. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44507, 6-8. Original
in the collection of Mr. McCandless.)]
_Celts._ Celts made of stone such as were common in the Thompson River
region[158] were not found by us in the Yakima region; but one typical
specimen which apparently resembles the celts found on Puget Sound, more
than it does those found in the Thompson River region is shown in Fig.
45. It may be seen in the collection of Mr. McCandless who secured it
from an Indian at Ellensburg. This celt is made of serpentine and is
190 mm. long.[159] A similar specimen, in the same collection, resembles
this one but shows grooves along the side edges by means of which it was
cut out. There is a celt made of green serpentine, only about 3 mm.
thick in the collection of Mr. Owen, but it was found at Umatilla,
Oregon.
[158] Smith, (d), p. 142; (c), p. 415.
[159] Museum negative no. 44507, 6-8.
Celts of jadeite (?) narrow and oblong were found on Snake River above
Lewiston in the Nez Perce region to the east.[160] Spinden states that
these were evidently acquired by trade from natives of the northwest
coast and that they have been cut by grooving and breaking. Also, that
this method and material was not employed by the Nez Perce who
considered the objects to have been used as wedges. I am inclined to
believe, therefore, that these more nearly resemble the celts of the
Thompson River country[161] than they do those of the coast. At least
one celt of this general style has been found near Lake Chelan lying
between the Thompson River region and both the Yakima and Nez Perce
regions. It is a long stone celt and was found in an ancient grave on
the bank of the Chelan River near the house of Hon. Amos Edmunds, of
Chelan, Washington. In the graves of this group, according to Mr. C. G.
Ridout, who cooperated with Mr. Edmunds in excavating at this place, and
from whom all of our information on this specimen was obtained, stone
knives and skinning and scraping tools were found. This celt is of a
mottled green "marble resembling onyx" (probably serpentine or nephrite)
400 mm. long, 47 mm. wide and 15 mm. thick. It is slightly concave on
the two sides, while one side edge is flat and the other is concavely
bevelled. The poll is of the natural unworked stone and judging from the
drawing furnished by Mr. Ridout, was broken off. It is raggedly
diagonal. The cutting edge is sharpened by long convexly ground surfaces
of nearly equal size and curve. The bevel of the side edge suggests that
the material for the celt was cut out by grooving and breaking as was
the case in the Thompson River region, where the celts showed similar
traces of grooving.[162] It is true that similar grooving may be seen on
celts from the Coast, but in that region the celts are short, while in
the Thompson River area they are long like this one and the material is
more often of the mottled green color than on the coast. The specimen is
owned by Mr. Edmunds and is in the collection of Mr. Ridout.
[160] Spinden, p. 182 and Figs. 1, 2, Plate IX.
[161] Smith, (c), Fig. 349.
[162] Cf. Smith, (c), Fig. 349.
No pieces of antler or other material which may possibly have served as
celt hafts were found in this region, although it will be remembered
that one specimen, thought possibly to have been such, was found at
Kamloops in the Thompson River[163] region, another in the Lillooet
Valley[164] and that celt hafts made of antler were common on the coast
at Port Hammond,[165] Comox,[166] Saanich,[167] and Utsalady.[168] A
piece of antler (202-8378a), found on the surface near the head of
Priest Rapids, is much bleached and shows signs of having been daubed
with red paint. It consists of a piece which has been cut around below a
fork with some sharp instrument and then broken off. The prongs seem to
be simply broken off.
[163] Smith, (c), Fig. 348, p. 115.
[164] Teit, (b), Fig. 66.
[165] Smith, (a), Figs. 29 and 59.
[166] Smith, (b), Fig. 107.
[167] _Ibid._, Figs. 129-130.
[168] _Ibid._, Fig. 157.
[Illustration: Fig. 46. Hand-Adze made of Stone. From the surface in an
old burial ground of the Indians near the mouth of the Yakima River on
McNeals Island. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photographs 44503, 6-4,
44452, 2-1. Original catalogue No. 25 in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
_Hand-Adze._ Only one hand-adze has been found in this area, so far as I
am aware. It is catalogue No. 25 in the collection of Mr. Janeck, made
of stone and found near the surface of an old burial ground of the
Indians near the mouth of the Yakima River on what is known as McNeals
Island. This specimen is shown in Fig. 46, and is 165 mm. long, 228 mm.
in greatest circumference which is around the part corresponding to the
edge of the striking head of a pestle, 37 mm. in diameter at the top and
37 mm. along the edge of the blade. It is made of rock resembling
diorite or diabase. The natural surface of the pebble from which it was
made shows on the ridge of the striking head of the pestle-like part.
The convex side of the celt-like part of the object is very smooth. This
is apparently partly due to the fact that it presents the smooth natural
surface of the pebble from which the object was made, and also to more
or less friction which must have been received here when in use. It
probably served as an adze. This specimen is perhaps the most ideal form
of this type that I have seen, the upper end comparing closely to a
pestle, with a slight indication of a knob at the top, a flaring body,
and a short striking head, the sides of which extend as a ridge nearly
if not entirely around the specimen. The celt-like part is to one side
of the axis, so that one side expands to meet the ridge above
mentioned, forming a concavity; the other contracts to meet it forming
a convex sweep from the cutting edge to the beginning of the body of the
pestle-like part.[169] Such hand-adzes have been found at Portland,
Columbia Slough about ten miles below Portland,[2] and Mr. E. D.
Zimmerman of Philadelphia has informed me that there are five or six
specimens of this type in his collection but the discovery of this
specimen at McNeals Island marks the most eastern occurrence of this
type, so far as I know at present.[170]
[169] Museum negatives nos. 44452, 2-1 and 44503, 6-4.
[170] First mentioned on pp. 303-304, Noteworthy Archaeological
Specimens from Lower Columbia Valley, by Harlan I. Smith, American
Anthropologist, (N. S.) Vol. VIII, No. 2, April-June, 1906.
_Whetstones._ Whetstones, recognized as such, are rare in the Yakima
region but a fragment (202-8217) of a sandstone pebble, which is
apparently rubbed on the irregular sides was found on the surface of the
little camp site, west of Cherry Creek, near Ellensburg. It probably
served as a rough whetstone or for grinding implements into shape.
The cigar-shaped object made of friable stone, shown in Fig. 69, and
considered on p. 81 as a war implement or "slave-killer," is suitable
for use as a whetstone and may have been such. The object thought to be
a whetstone shown in Fig. 120, is in the collection of Mr. Janeck, and
is said to be from the Yakima Valley. It is made of friable slate; the
top is broken off. It is 142 mm. long, 18 mm. wide and 6 mm. thick with
rounded edges. The circle and dot design incised on the specimen is
described on p. 131. It would seem that use as a whetstone would destroy
the design.[171] From the whole region, I have seen only these three
specimens that can be considered as whetstones. This scarcity seems
somewhat remarkable when we consider their abundance in the Thompson
River region,[172] and also on the coast at Port Hammond and Eburne in
the Fraser Delta,[173] Comox,[174] North Saanich[175] Victoria,[176] New
Dungeness,[177] and Port Williams.[178]
[171] Museum negative no. 44503, 6-4.
[172] Smith, (d), p. 144; (c), p. 417.
[173] Smith (a), p. 167.
[174] Smith (b), p. 312
[175] _Ibid._, p. 339.
[176] _Ibid._, p. 360.
[177] _Ibid._, p. 389.
[178] _Ibid._, p. 392.
Beaver teeth sharpened for use as knives, such as were found in the
Thompson River region,[179] were not found by us in this whole area any
more than in the Fraser Delta,[180] although they were present at
Comox,[181] and though not certainly identified at both Saanich[182] and
Burton.[183] However, a beaver tooth was found (202-8189) in cremation
rectangle No. 21 (16) on the flat overlooking the mouth of the Naches
River. Objects that are considered as knife handles, such as were found
at Lytton,[184] though not certainly at Kamloops[185] were absent here
as in the Fraser Delta.[186] Objects made of bone or antler and thought
to have been used for flaking stone implements were also absent.
[179] Smith (d), p. 144; (c). p. 417.
[180] Smith (a), p. 168.
[181] Smith (b), p. 318.
[182] _Ibid._, p. 346.
[183] _Ibid._, p. 398.
[184] Smith (d), Fig. 50.
[185] Smith (c), p. 418.
[186] Smith (a), p. 168.
[Illustration: Fig. 47 (202-8398). Point for a Drill, chipped from
Chalcedony. From the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size. (Collected by
Mrs. J. B. Davidson.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 48 (202-8370). Point for a Drill, chipped from
Chert. From the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Drills._ Drill points chipped from stone are perhaps less abundant in
the Yakima country than in the Thompson River region[187] to the north.
They are found of various shapes in the Nez Perce region[188] to the
east but it will be remembered that they were not certainly identified
among finds from the coast.[189] The specimen shown in Fig. 47, was
collected at the head of Priest Rapids, and presented by Mrs. J. B.
Davidson of Ellensburg. It is chipped from a grayish chalcedony. The
shaft is rather blunt at the end, possibly having been broken off, and
is somewhat lozenge-shaped in cross section although one side has a less
pronounced ridge than the other which causes the section to tend towards
the sub-triangular. The base expands sidewise and is somewhat thinner at
the end than at the shaft although it is thicker than the point. A point
somewhat similar in shape, but 57 mm. long, chipped from white
chalcedony, and found at Priest Rapids, was seen in the collection of
Mr. Austin Mires. Another drill point chipped from black trap, 48 mm.
long, and also found at Priest Rapids, was seen in the same collection.
The shaft expands sidewise into a base of the form of a truncated
triangle which is rather thin. Fig. 48 shows a drill point chipped from
reddish brown chert that was found on the surface near the head of
Priest Rapids. The upper portion resembles the first-mentioned specimen
and the lower part is somewhat similar to it but more lenticular in
cross section. In other words, the implement is either double-pointed or
it was intended to chip away the lower part. The lower point is so well
chipped to form that it seems more likely to be a double-pointed drill.
[187] Smith (d), p. 148; (c), p. 419.
[188] Spinden, p. 185, Figs. 23-25, Plate VII.
[189] Smith (a), p. 190; (b), p. 438.
Holes which have been drilled and apparently with such drills as these
are seen in the stone objects shown in Figs. 34, 77, 81, 99, 105, 119.
The shell object shown in Fig. 88 probably was broken; but in Figs. 76,
79, 90, 91, 93 and 94, the shell seems drilled and in Fig. 73 the antler
is drilled.
_Scrapers._ For scraping and shaving, the objects shown in Figs. 49-52
would have been useful. One side of these consists of a large facet, as
in the case of Fig. 50, or is but slightly chipped. This surface on the
first two specimens shows the bulb of percussion, while on the fourth
all signs of the bulb have apparently been obliterated by secondary
chipping along a longitudinal third, probably done to flatten the side,
although as this scraper was made from a fragment of a flake rather than
from the whole flake it is possible that the bulb was not on this piece.
In the third specimen the bulb does not show as the object was not made
from a flake but from a thin piece of chalcedony which shows striations
upon both surfaces suggesting that it may have been the filling or cast
of a seam from which it has separated. The upper ends of the first two
specimens are somewhat convex on this surface probably because of the
bulb of percussion. The lower or wider ends, which are chipped to a
scraping edge from the opposite side on all the specimens are somewhat
concave or at least flat as in the third specimen. The other two are not
so regular in outline, but are also chipped like a scraper at the broad
end and the side edges. The specimen shown in Fig. 52 was found on the
surface of the little camp site on Cherry Creek, near Ellensburg, and is
of a waxy, yellowish brown chalcedony. It is shaped something like a gun
flint.
There is a scraper 66 mm. long made of a greenish slate in the
collection of Mrs. Davidson to whom it was presented by Mr. Owen. It is
somewhat tongue-shaped and slightly concave-convex. The base is broken
while the curved edge is slightly chipped on the convex side to form an
edge. The point is rather thin and has been somewhat rubbed. Red paint
has been daubed on the specimen which suggests that it may have been
found in a grave. It will be remembered that scrapers were found,
although not so frequently, in the Thompson River region[190] to the
north and that in the Nez Perce region to the east,[191] they are
usually irregular in form, flat on one side and convex on the other.
While their chief use may have been for skin scraping, they are found by
experiment to be excellent implements for planing wood, and may well
have served for the scraping down of arrow-shafts, spear-shafts, and for
similar work.
[190] Smith (c), p. 418.
[191] Spinden, p. 185 and Fig. 5^6.
[Illustration: Fig. 49 (202-8371). Scraper chipped from Petrified Wood.
From the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 50 (202-8372). Scraper chipped from Agate. From the
surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 51 (202-8373). Scraper chipped from Chalcedony. From
the surface, near the head of Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 52 (202-8221). Scraper chipped from Chalcedony. From
the surface of the Cherry Creek Camp Site near Ellensburg. 1/2 nat.
size.]
Some of the chipped points described on p. 23 may have been used for
knife points. Among these there are a number of specimens which were
particularly suited for this use. The specimen shown in Fig. 6 may have
served as a knife, possibly one used for ceremonial purposes although it
may have been used as a spear point. These knives, being somewhat
symmetrical differ from the one found at Kamloops[192] in the Thompson
River region which was similar in shape to the knives used until
recently by the Thompson River Indians.[193] These knives from the
Thompson River region are chipped much more from one side than from the
other and have curved points. The specimen shown in Fig. 3 (202-8336)
has an absolutely flat base which is apparently an unworked portion of
the block from which the object was chipped. It is possibly an
unfinished arrow point, but its outline suggests that it is a knife
point. The specimen shown in Fig. 2 is chipped from waxy red chalcedony.
It has a straight end and one edge of the point is slightly more curved
than the other, which together with the fact that one side is nearly
flat suggests that it may have been one of those points which are
considered to have been used for knives rather than for arrow or spear
points. The specimen (202-8369) shown in Fig. 1 may have served either
as the tip for an arrow or as a knife point, and it may be compared with
the much more deeply serrated points found in the Thompson River
region.[194]
[192] Smith (c), p. 418, Fig. 352d.
[193] Teit, (a), Figs. 125-126.
[194] Smith (d), Figs. 8 to 19; (c), Figs. 332 i-j and 334.
_Arrow-shaft Smoothers._ Arrow-shaft smoothers, made of coarse sandstone
like those from the Thompson River region,[195] were not found by us in
this area nor on the coast;[196] but one of these grooved stones was
seen in the collection of Mr. E. R. McDonald at Ellensburg. It was
collected by Mr. Dick Williams, of the same place, who found it on the
west bank of the Columbia River, twenty miles north of Priest Rapids,
Kittitas County. It is made of a salmon-colored gritstone, and is of the
usual type, semi-cylindrical with a longitudinal groove on the flat
side, in this case a very small groove such as might occur if it had not
been much used. In the Nez Perce region to the east,[197] according to
Spinden, there have been found an arrow-shaft smoother made up of two
somewhat rectangular blocks of light tufa, each with a semi-cylindrical
groove in one side and a soapstone object which he considers to be an
arrow-shaft polisher, but I have considered this as a mat presser.
[195] Smith (d), p. 145; (c), p. 419.
[196] Smith (a), p. 190; (b), p. 438.
[197] Spinden, p. 187, Fig. 32, Plate VII.
TOOLS USED BY WOMEN.
A number of implements were found which may have served for the
preparation of skins and for sewing. Among these may be mentioned skin
scrapers, awls, a needle, and a mat presser.
[Illustration: Fig. 53 (202-8302). Scraper chipped from a Flat Circular
Pebble. From the surface of the bank of Columbia River near the head of
Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
[Illustration: Fig. 54 (202-8307). Scraper or Knife chipped from a
Pebble. From the surface of the bank of Columbia River, near the head of
Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Scrapers Chipped from Stone._ The scrapers chipped from stone, shown in
Figs. 49 to 52, and considered among tools used by men on pp. 67-68, may
possibly have been used on skins although they seem rather small for
such a purpose. The specimen shown in Fig. 53, made from a flat circular
pebble was found on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River, near
the head of Priest Rapids. The edges are chipped in such a way that it
has been brought somewhat to the form of a square. This object would
serve well as a skin scraper if hafted in the split end of a stick and
used like similar implements seen in use by us among the natives of the
Thompson River region.[198] It resembles archaeological specimens from
the same area.[199] In the Nez Perce region to the east[200] a
disk-shaped spall struck from a boulder was used for skin scraping.
Another form, shown in Fig. 54, is chipped from a pebble, probably a
flat circular one. Along one side, the surface of the pebble shows, but
on the other it has been completely chipped away. In outline, the object
is elliptical, but has a slight tendency to be pointed at each end. It
is lenticular in section, with the edges jaggedly sharp. This reminds us
of certain specimens found at Columbus and The Dalles, which have the
same general shape, but are ground and polished, so that no signs of
chipping remain on some of them. It seems probable that this specimen is
a roughed-out form of the same kind, which may have been used in its
present condition, or was intended to be finished by grinding and
polishing. It seems quite likely that this implement may have been
hafted in the end of a split stick and used as a skin scraper, similar
to those previously mentioned. On the other hand, it may have been held
in the hand and used in scraping skins or perhaps as a knife. It was
found with another on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River,
near the head of Priest Rapids. Another of these (202-8117) was found on
the surface at Kennewick. The specimen shown in Fig. 55 is simply an
oval water-worn pebble with one edge chipped on both sides. It is 115
mm. long by 16 mm. thick, may be an unfinished object, if not a scraper
or knife, and was found on the surface of the bank of the Columbia River
near the head of Priest Rapids.
[198] Teit (a), Fig. 1, Plate XIV, and Fig. 127.
[199] Smith (d), Fig. 64; (c), Fig. 355.
[200] Spinden, p. 215.
_Scrapers Rubbed from Bone._ Scrapers made of bone, similar to those
found by us in the Thompson River region and in the vicinity of Puget
Sound[201] were not seen in the Yakima region.
[201] Smith (d), Figs. 65 and 66; (c), Fig. 356; (a), Fig. 34; Teit
(a), Figs. 128 and 129.
[Illustration: Fig. 55 (202-8297). Scraper or Knife chipped from a
Pebble. From the surface of the bank of Columbia River, near the head of
Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Awls Rubbed from Bone._ Awls made of bone have been found in this area.
The specimens made of stone, mentioned on p. 25 among chipped points,
and on p. 66 among drills may have been used by women for the same
purposes. The specimen shown in Fig. 56, was found on the surface of an
island in the Columbia River near the mouth of the Snake, and it is
bleached from exposure. It was collected and presented by Mr. D. W.
Owen. The specimen shown in Fig. 57, was found on an island in the
Columbia River, forty miles above the mouth of the Snake, and it is
bleached from exposure on the surface. The shaft is nearly circular in
cross section and tapers to a point for one half its length. The base
ends in a flat elbow piece. The outline of the end of this projection is
rounded. The specimen was collected and presented by Mr. D. W. Owen.
No awls made from the proximal part of the ulna of the deer were seen by
us in this area, although it will be remembered they were found in the
Thompson River region[202] and are reported from the Nez Perce region to
the east by Spinden who says that they were used in braiding rope.[203]
We found them on the coast of British Columbia and Washington.[204] The
same remarks are true of awls made of the distal end of the metapodial
of the deer.[205]
[202] Smith (c), Fig. 357.
[203] Spinden, p. 189, Plate VII, Fig. 29.
[204] Smith (a), p. 170 (_Eburne and Hammond_); (b), p. 317,
(_Comox_); p. 347 (_Saanich_); p. 377, (_Stanwood_); p. 389, (_New
Dungeness_).
[205] Smith (d), Fig. 74; (c), Fig. 357; (a), Fig. 35, (_Eburne_);
(b), p. 317, (_Comox_); p. 348, (_Saanich_).
[Illustration: Fig. 56 (20.0-1466). Awl made of Bone. From the surface
of an Island in Columbia River near the mouth of the Snake. 1/2 nat.
size. (Collected and presented by Mr. Owen.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 57 (20.0-1465). Awl made of Bone. From an Island in
Columbia River, forty miles above the mouth of the Snake. 1/2 nat. size.
(Collected and presented by Mr. Owen.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 58. Spatulate Object made of Bone. From the Yakima
Valley. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44503, 6-4. Original
catalogue No. 13 in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
This seems rather interesting since these two kinds of awls, each made
of a special bone are so commonly found and so widely distributed in
America that it seems hardly possible that they may not yet be found in
this region. Simple sharpened bone implements which are said to have
been used as awls are found in the Nez Perce region[206] where according
to Spinden, a small awl was used in making basketry but we saw none in
the Yakima region not considered to be points for arrows or spears.
[206] Spinden, p. 189, Plate VII, Figs. 27 and 28.
_Needles._ Only one object which may be considered as a needle was seen
by us in the Yakima region, and it will be remembered that they are rare
on the coast of British Columbia and Washington, except in the Lower
Fraser[207] country, although they were common in the Thompson River
region.[208] This specimen shown in Fig. 58 is a long needle-like
object, No. 13, in the collection of Mr. Janeck. The object is warped or
bent like the needles used in the Puget Sound country to string cat-tail
stalks together in order to make mats. This specimen is 291 mm. long.
The point is sharpened and although the side edges are flat, it somewhat
resembles a paper knife. At a point nearly one third of its length from
the base, it is perforated through the middle by gouging from each side.
The base is notched, in such a way that the object is bilaterally
symmetrical as shown in the illustration. It may possibly but not
probably have served as a sap scraper.[209]
[207] Smith, (a), Fig. 36.
[208] Smith (d), Figs. 76-78; (c), Fig. 358.
[209] Museum negative no. 44503 (6-4).
[Illustration: Fig. 59 _a_. Object made of Steatite, probably a Mat
Presser. From Prosser. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44504, 6-5.
Original in the collection of Mr. Spalding). _b_, Part of Incised
Pictograph on Object Shown in _a_.]
_Mat Pressers._ Mat pressers, or objects that are considered to be such,
made of stone are commonly found in the area immediately to the south.
No objects recognized as such were found by us in the Thompson River
region, and from the coast of British Columbia and Washington there is
only one. It is made of stone[210] and was found at Cadboro Bay near
Victoria. Specimens made of wood are very common among the present
natives of the same coast. A ground soapstone object from the Nez Perce
region is considered by Spinden an arrow-shaft polisher,[211] but seems
to me more likely to be a mat presser of the type found in the region
immediately south of the Yakima area.
[210] Smith (b), Fig. 146.
[211] Spinden, Plate VII, Fig. 34.
The object shown in Fig. 59 which may be an unfinished pipe, is of the
form of a flattened cylinder, made of steatite and was found at Prosser
in the southern part of the area here considered. The surface is marked
with incised figures, part of which are illustrated in Fig. 59b and
described on p. 124. The groove on one side suggests that it may have
been used as a mat presser such as are used to string cat-tails and tule
stalks. The cylindrical bore in the top is 25 mm. deep by 10 mm. in
diameter and its top is funnel-shaped. The original is in the collection
of Mr. Spalding.[212]
[212] Museum negative no. 44504, 6-5.
PROCESSES OF MANUFACTURE.
The processes of manufacture employed in this area as indicated by the
archaeological objects found include fracturing by chipping and flaking,
pecking or bruising, grinding, polishing, cutting by grooving and
breaking, incising, whittling and gouging, and drilling. The materials
worked by each of these processes may be seen among the specimens here
figured and described. Spinden states[213] that in the Nez Perce area
chipped implements were made by the men and that the pecked artifacts
were made by the women.
[213] Spinden, p. 185.
LIFE HISTORIES OF MANUFACTURED OBJECTS.
The story of the manufacture of the objects found from the securing of
the raw material to their finished and to their worn out and broken
condition is not shown completely in the case of more than one class of
objects, viz., chipped implements, but in a number of cases the signs of
manufacture have not been entirely obliterated and some specimens are
figured and described which are undoubtedly in process of manufacture.
Plate III, Fig. 1 shows a quarry from which material for the manufacture
of chipped implements was obtained. A description of this has been given
on p. 16. Here could be seen the hammers, one of which is illustrated in
Fig. 40, that were used in breaking up the raw material, and the
material in various stages of chipping and flaking together with the
waste products. In Plates I and II may be seen the more or less
completed chipped implements. If points of antler were used as flakers,
they were either not found or recognized by us. According to Mr. Cotton,
there are numerous chips within the "fort" mentioned on p. 82. One other
example of a series illustrating the life history of an object may be
mentioned, namely, that of the pestles. Many oblong pebbles suitable
for pestles without being changed from their natural form were seen in
both the Yakima and the Columbia Valleys. Other pebbles required but
slight shaping to bring them to the required form. Fig. 22 illustrates
such a pebble which is in process of shaping by pecking or bruising and
Fig. 43 shows a suitable tool for executing the work. After being fully
shaped by this process such pestles were polished but the materials used
for this purpose, whether sandstones and similar abrasives, the horse
tail rush or the bare hand, are not known.
WAR.
_Implements used in Warfare._ The objects considered under hunting on p.
23 _et seq._, such as chipped points for spears, arrows and knives may
have served in warfare; so also may bows, mentioned on p. 29. Others
that were considered as tools, on p. 57 _et seq._, such as the celt and
hand-adze, may have been used as weapons in war times; but there are
some objects that were probably useful only in warfare. Prominent among
these are the club-heads and clubs, made of stone, shown in Figs. 60-68.
No clubs made of copper, antler or whale's bone have been seen by us
that are certainly from this region although it will be remembered[214]
that such were found in the Thompson River region, lying to the north,
that the latter are common on the coast of British Columbia and
Washington[215] to the west of this area and that one of whale's bone
labeled from the upper Columbia River has been figured in my report on
the archaeology of Puget Sound.[216]
[214] Smith (d), Figs. 81 and 82; (c), Fig. 359.
[215] Smith, (b), Figs. 165-171.
[216] Smith (b), Fig. 166d.
[Illustration: Fig. 60. Grooved Pebble. From the Yakima Reservation near
the Gap. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph 44455, 2-4. Original in
the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 61. Club-head or Sinker made of Lava. From the
Yakima Reservation near the Gap. 1/2 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph
44503, 6-4. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
_Grooved Pebbles, Club-heads, or Sinkers._ The grooved spheroid pebble,
shown in Fig. 60, was found on the Yakima Reservation near Union Gap and
is in the collection of Mr. Janeck. There are two encircling grooves
which cross each other at nearly right angles. These have been made by
pecking. At one intersection of the grooves, the object shows signs of
battering such as may have resulted from pounding with it, or such as
may have been made to form a pit for the reception of a handle end. It
is probably a club-head, net sinker or gaming stone[217] similar to
those used in the Thompson River region.[218] In the Nez Perce
region[219] to the east unworked river boulders sewed in skin, were used
for the heads of war clubs which were sometimes also used in killing
game. This kind of club is the same used by the eastern Indians,
according to Lewis[220] and was probably introduced. The spheroid
specimen made of hard lava, possibly trap, shown in Fig. 61, was found
on the Yakima Reservation near Union Gap, and is also in the collection
of Mr. Janeck. There are three grooves, marking great circles at right
angles to each other. These have been made by pecking. At each pole or
the intersection of two of these grooves, at the top and bottom in the
illustration, and in each area marked out by the grooves is a pit making
a total of ten. In the equatorial grooves are the remains of two
parallel strings, each twisted to the right or contra-screw-wise, made
up of two strings twisted to the left and remains of a fabric of loose
mesh overlying the strings. It measures 70 mm. by 63 mm. by 57 mm.[221]
A club-head made of stone with a handle covered with rawhide and
horsehair, was seen by us in the collection of Mr. Janeck. The head is
grooved, circular in cross section, and has conoid ends. It consequently
resembles the stone clubs of the eastern Plains. The objects shown in
Figs. 14-16 and considered as sinkers, may have been fastened to handles
and used as heads for war clubs or as 'canoe smashers' in warfare.
[217] Smith (d), Fig. 39; (c), p. 440; Teit (a), p. 279.
[218] Museum negative no. 44455, 2-4.
[219] Spinden, pp. 188 and 227, also Fig. 5^5.
[220] Lewis, p. 189.
[221] Museum negative no. 44455, 2-4.
_Stone Clubs._ The club[222] shown in Fig. 62, is made of serpentine.
The handle is oval but approaches a lenticular form in cross section.
There are eighteen notches across one edge of the knob and eight on the
other. The blade is of the characteristic form with lenticular cross
section but thicker than the thin type of stone clubs of this form such
as are found near the coast.[223] The tip is rather blunt. The reverse
is the same as the obverse. It is from Methow River, Okanogan County and
here illustrated from a sketch by Mr. Charles C. Willoughby of the
original in the Peabody Museum, Harvard University.
[222] First mentioned on p. 414 and Fig. 174a, Smith (b).
[223] Smith (b), Fig. 172a, b.
[Illustration: Fig. 62. Club made of Serpentine. From Methow River,
Okanogan County. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from sketches by Mr. Charles C.
Willoughby. Original catalogue No. 64795 in the Peabody Museum,
Cambridge, Mass.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 63. Club made of Serpentine. From the Yakima Valley,
between Wenas Station and the Gap above North Yakima. 1/4 nat. size.
(Drawn from photographs 44453, 2-2, and 44500, 6-1. Original catalogue
No. 44 in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
The club shown in Fig. 63 was found in the Yakima Valley on the west
side of the river between Wenas Station and Upper Gap above North
Yakima. It is made of serpentine of a mottled yellow, brown and green
color. It is 26 mm. long, and of the form of a rather thick, elongated
apple seed, with the upper and lower ends cut off. The top is of the
form of a symmetrical celt with a dull edge and is bevelled about
equally from each side. The handle, which is 22 mm. thick, is the
thickest part of the object, rather oval in section and merges into the
blade, which is paddle-shaped, lenticular in cross section and
terminates in a celt-like end which is dull and bevelled about equally
from each side.[224] It is catalogue No. 44 in the collection of Mr.
Janeck.[225] A club of this general type has been found as far east as
Sand Point, Idaho, the most eastern occurrence, as was mentioned on p.
413 of my "Archaeology of the Gulf of Georgia and Puget Sound," where
all the clubs of this type from Northwestern America are discussed. On
the west, they seem to range from the Klamath Valley to the head of
Puget Sound.
[224] Smith (b), p. 417.
[225] Museum negatives nos. 44453, 2-2, and 44500, 6-1.
The club, shown in Fig. 64[226] is made of stone and has a blade rather
lenticular in cross section, but bulging somewhat so that it reminds us
of the clubs of the lozenge-shaped cross section.[227] It is 265 mm.
long, by 25 mm. thick. The handle is somewhat lenticular, but tends to
be hexagonal in section, with rounded corners and meets the blade
abruptly. There is a saddle-shaped knob at the top with an incised
geometric design in the hollow. The upper part of the right edge of this
knob is flat with two incisions across it, while the lower part is
rounded. A stone club with similar handle is known from Puget
Sound.[228] The specimen is catalogue No. 40 in the collection of Mr.
Janeck, and was secured by him from the York collection. It was
originally collected from an Indian woman on the Yakima
Reservation.[229]
[226] First shown in Smith (b), Fig. 177a.
[227] Smith (b), p. 415.
[228] Smith (b), Fig. 177b.
[229] Museum negatives, nos. 44453, 2-2 and 44500, 6-1.
The club shown in Fig. 65 is made of diabase or allied material and is
338 mm. in length. It is bilaterally symmetrical and the reverse and
obverse are alike. The handle is oval in cross section and terminates in
a knob from which it is separated by a slight groove. In the top of the
knob is a depression as if there had been a hole pecked through the
form, tapering from each side, as in the clubs or slave-killers having
lozenge-shaped cross section from the coast there[230] the top broken
off and the broken edges rounded, as in the club with lozenge-shaped
cross section from Copalis on the coast of Washington.[231] But such is
not the case; the notch resembles that of the club shown in Fig. 64,
slightly the one shown in Fig. 62, both from this region, and one from
Burton on Puget Sound.[232] The blade is paddle-shaped like the large
end of an apple seed, lenticular in cross section, with a mid-rib on
each side which runs out about 10 mm. from the end of the club.[233] It
was found on the surface at Union Gap, below Old Yakima, and is in the
collection of Mr. Janeck.[234]
[230] Smith (b), Figs. 175 and 176.
[231] _Ibid._, Fig. 175e.
[232] _Ibid._, Fig. 177b.
[233] First mentioned, Smith, (b), p. 416 and Fig. 177c.
[234] Museum negatives, nos. 44453, 2-2, and 44501, 6-2.
[Illustration: Fig. 64. Club made of Stone. From Yakima Reservation. 1/4
nat. size. (Drawn from photographs 44500, 6-1, and 44453, 2-2. Original
in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 65. Club made of Stone. From the surface at Union
Gap below Old Yakima. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photographs 44453, 2-2,
and 44501, 6-2. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 66. Club made of Stone. From the surface at Union
Gap below Old Yakima. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photographs 44453, 2-2,
and 44501, 6-2. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
The stone club, shown in Fig. 66, was found on the surface at Union Gap,
below Old Yakima. It is of a purplish gray lava-like material. The
handle is oval in cross section with a knob at the end which is somewhat
flattened on each side and slopes towards the rounded top like a blunt
symmetrical celt. The blade has convex side edges which are nearly flat
and about 18 mm. wide. It is thicker in the middle than at the edges and
bears a mid-rib of the shape of a railroad embankment with rounded
angles, from the handle to the end. On each side of this mid-rib, the
surface is nearly flat. The end of the blade is nearly flat. The
specimen is in the collection of Mr. Janeck.[235]
[235] Museum negatives nos. 44453, 2-2, and 44501, 6-2. First
mentioned on p. 416 and figured in Smith, (b), Fig. 177d.
It will be noted that the thin stone clubs found here have no mid-rib.
Clubs made of stone, whale's bone or wood with such mid-ribs are unknown
from the coast but are found with median decoration in place of a
mid-rib,[236] those of whale's bone being common and a thin club made of
copper with a median decoration was found at Spuzzum in the interior of
Southern British Columbia.[237]
[236] Smith (b), Figs. 173a, b; 169a; 165a, c-g; 166a, b, d-g;
167a-d; 168a, c, d; 169f and 170a.
[237] _Ibid._, Fig. 172d.
_'Slave-killers.'_ A 'slave-killer' or club, made of friable stone shown
in Fig. 67, was found on the surface of Union Gap, below Old Yakima. It
is in the collection of Mr. Janeck. The object has a blade which sets
out from the handle and resembles in shape the typical 'slave-killer' in
that it is lozenge-shaped in cross section with bulging sides and
rounded angles. The handle is oval or nearly circular in cross section,
and slightly larger at the top where there is no knob or perforation as
in the typical club of this type.[238] The object is 377 mm. long, 63
mm. wide, and 41 mm. thick.[239] The club or 'slave-killer' made of
stone, shown in Fig. 68, was found at Lake Chelan, and is 280 mm. long.
It is owned by Mr. C. G. Ridout of Chelan, Chelan County. The handle
terminates in a knob, which resembles the form of an animal head. This
knob is somewhat heart-shaped, the two lobes possibly representing ears,
and the lower tip projects beyond the handle of the object. One side,
the larger surface, stands at about 45 degrees to the axis of the club
and is bisected by a deep incision, on each side of which are two
circles, which probably represent eyes. On either edge of this knob are
thirteen incisions. The handle which is nearly circular in cross
section, bears four vertical rows of horizontally arranged incisions and
expands suddenly edgewise to form the blade which, however, on its upper
and lower surfaces is practically continuous with the handle. The blade
is nearly circular in cross section and tapers gradually to a rather
blunt point. The object is probably a ceremonial implement.
[238] _Ibid._, Figs. 175, 176 and 177e.
[239] First mentioned _ibid._, p. 418. Museum negatives nos. 44453,
2-2 and 44500, 6-1.
[Illustration: Fig. 67. Club made of Stone. From the surface at Union
Gap below Old Yakima. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photographs 44453, 2-2,
and 44500, 6-1. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 68. Club made of Stone. From Lake Chelan. 1/4 nat.
size. (Drawn from a sketch furnished by Mr. C. G. Ridout. Original in
his collection.)]
[Illustration: Fig. 69. War implement or Slave Killer, made of Friable
Stone. From the Yakima Valley. 1/4 nat. size. (Drawn from photograph
44503, 6-4. Original in the collection of Mr. Janeck.)]
The stone objects considered as pestles and shown in Figs. 32 and 35 may
have been used as war clubs. The object made of friable stone, shown in
Fig. 69 was mentioned on p. 39 us possibly having been used as a pestle
and again on p. 65 as being suitable for use as a whetstone. It seems
most likely, however, that it served as an implement of war or as a
'slave-killer.' It is roughly of the shape of a cigar. The upper end is
nearly flat and circular. From here the object gradually expands for
about half its length and then contracts to a point, being nearly
circular in cross section throughout. It is 208 mm. long, 38 mm. in
maximum diameter, and 19 mm. in diameter at the top. It was found in the
Yakima Valley and is in the collection of Mr. Janeck.[240] The object
considered as a hand-adze and shown in Fig. 46, may have been used as a
'slave-killer.'
No objects considered as daggers or knives and made of antler were found
by us in this region. Although it will be remembered[241] that several,
over 200 mm. in length, were found in the Thompson River region.
[240] Museum negative no. 44503, 6-4.
[241] Smith (d), Fig. 80; (c), p. 423 and Fig. 360.
_War Costume._ The costume indicated on the figure carved in antler,
described under the section of dress and adornment, p. 100, referred to
in the discussion of art on p. 127, and shown in Fig. 121, may be that
of a warrior as is suggested by the similarity of the headdress to the
war-bonnet of the tribes of the Plains. That the war-bonnet was used in
this region is strongly suggested not only by this headdress but also by
those represented in the pictographs and petroglyphs as well as by the
wearing of it by the modern Indians of this area. This idea is further
strengthened by the fact that the war-bonnet is worn in the Nez Perce
region to the east,[242] where it has no doubt been used for a long
time, although it may originally have been derived from the Plains. The
Nez Perce sometimes wore streamers with these war-bonnets. Spinden
states that the early Nez Perce war-bonnets differed from the type used
by them to-day, and that exact information about them is difficult to
obtain.
[242] Spinden, p. 228.
_Fortifications._ A so-called "Indian fort" is situated near Rock Creek
about six miles below Rock Lake. It is about a mile south of the ranch
of Mr. Frank Turner (p. 54), and shown in the photographs reproduced in
Figs. 1[243] and 2[244], Plate VI. These were taken and presented by Mr.
J. S. Cotton, then in charge of the cooperative range work at the
Washington State Experiment Station at Pullman, who furnished from his
notebook all our data on this subject. The "fort" is built on a flat
knoll of about fifteen feet in height and with precipitous sides. It is
in the form of a circle, being enclosed about four fifths of the way
around. The wall is built of flat rocks which are tilted in such a
manner that they will glance all projectiles into the air. There were
numerous arrow chip pings within the "fort." There are many Indian
graves supposed to be very old, two pits believed to mark building
sites, and a long line of stones in the vicinity (pp. 140, 54, 29).
[243] From the interior.
[244] From the exterior.
_Wounds._ The skull of skeleton No. 99-4318, found in rock-slide grave
No. 10 (5) on the north side of the Naches River half a mile above its
mouth, showed where the right side of the orbit had been pierced in such
a way that the malar bone was partly severed and repair had taken place,
leaving a large anterior lateral projection on the malar bone. One rib
had two articular surfaces at the anterior end.
DRESS AND ADORNMENT.
_Skins._ Tanned skin and skin bearing hair of animals, including the
deer, and feathers of the woodpecker have been found in the graves and
were evidently portions of garments or of pouches; but graves containing
these materials are apparently more modern than some of the others. No
skins of birds were found by us in this whole region. The scrapers
mentioned on page 69 and the hammers as well possibly as the grooved
stones mentioned on pages 30 and 75 may have contributed to the making
of clothing: the former for scraping skins, the latter for beating and
softening them.
Skin (202-8223), resembling buckskin or leather in its decomposed
condition, was found in grave No. 31 (2) (99-4326), in the rock-slide
near the mouth of Cherry Creek, immediately below Ellensburg. That this
grave may not be as ancient as some of the artifacts here described is
suggested by the fact that a small piece of a wooden post, not
completely decayed, was found projecting from the rock-slide above the
grave, and by the presence of four more posts, one at each corner of the
grave, extending down from the level of the rock-slide, the upper parts
apparently being entirely decomposed. The remains of matting which had
been wrapped around the body, glass beads (202-8225) and three bracelets
made of iron (202-8226), one of which is shown in Fig. 96, also suggest
that this grave was modern, although it must be remembered that in this
dry climate, wooden posts, matting and iron resist decomposition for a
long time. The form of the garment or other object made up of this skin
has not been identified, but pieces of the skin are joined in some
places by over-casting with skin thread; in others, with a double skin
thong and still in others with some sort of vegetable fibre. A piece of
deer skin (202-8230) with the hair on was found in grave No. 37 (4)
(99-4328), in the same rock-slide. Here again, the presence of sticks
about three feet long, decayed at the tops and arranged in three rows of
matting made of reeds (202-8229 and 202-8230, Figs. 71-72), and of beads
apparently made of factory-rolled copper, suggest that the entire
contents of this grave are modern.
Fragments of skin of a small mammal, with the hair on, which had been
stitched along one edge with what appears to be twisted vegetable fibre
made into a cord of two strings (202-8231), was found in grave No. 34
(5) (99-4329) in the same rock-slide. Here again were found evidences
suggesting the grave to be modern. These consisted of decayed posts cut
off at the surface of the slide. Among the other objects in the grave
were matting (202-8232), beads (202-8233, Fig. 74), made of what is
apparently factory-rolled copper, coarse string and thong, some of
which is wound at the ends and pieces of coarse twisted plant fibre upon
which some of the beads were strung, two ornaments (202-8234, Fig. 91)
made of haliotis shell, two pendants made of what appears to be
factory-rolled copper (202-8235), four bracelets apparently made of
similar copper (202-8236, Fig. 95), a square pendant (202-8238, Fig.
78), a disk (202-8239, Fig. 83), both of which seem to be made of
factory-rolled copper and a piece of iron (202-8242). Among the rocks
above the grave were found a copper ornament (202-8244), a brass pendant
(202-8245, Fig. 84), with thong and copper bead, and a copper pendant
(202-8246, Fig. 82).
[Illustration: Fig. 70 (202-8391). Diagram of Stitch of Fragment of Rush
Matting. From near the skin on skeleton in grave No. 38 (1) of an adult
in a rock-slide on the east side of the escarpment near the head of
Priest Rapids. 1/2 nat. size.]
_Matting._ Fragments of matting of vegetable fibre sewed or twined with
cords made of plant material were found; but only in recent graves. Such
graves contained objects introduced into the region since the advent of
the whites. These fabrics were probably modern but were in no way
affected by the coming of the white man or the materials secured from
him, being simply found in these modern graves associated with artifacts
made from material secured from the white man. In the old graves they
have probably long since decayed. Spindle-whorls were not found. Fig. 70
illustrates the stitch of a piece of matting (202-8391) of a well known
type consisting of a single strand warp of rushes pierced at intervals
by the weft which is a two-strand string. It is similar to that commonly
found in the Thompson River region.[245] This specimen was found in
grave No. 38 (1) (99-4333) in a rock-slide on the west side of the
Columbia River, near the head of Priest Rapids. The grave was probably
modern as is suggested by stakes nearly six feet long which projected
about three feet above the surface of the rock-slide and a roll of birch
bark[246] (202-8392). The vegetable fibre used in sewing these stalks
was probably the same as that used by the present Indians as was
thought to be the case in the Thompson River region.[247] Spinden does
not mention this simple type of sewed mat as found in the Nez Perce
area.[248] Fig. 71 shows a piece of matting (202-8229) of a new type
consisting of two strands of what seem to be small stalks of tule,
twisted loosely and pierced at each half turn by a cord. The cord is a
two-strand string, the vegetable fibre of the individual strands not
seeming to be twisted. The interstices are wide. It was found under the
pelvis of a skeleton of a youth (99-4228) in a recent grave, No. 33 (4),
in a rock-slide near the mouth of Cherry Creek, below Ellensburg. This
piece of matting, so far as I am aware, is the first specimen of a new
type collected and figured. It was first brought to the attention of
students in 1906 through correspondence when Professor Otis T. Mason
stated that he had never seen an example, a picture or a description of
just that technique. It was shown at the annual exhibition of the New
York Academy of Sciences, in December of the same year, but reference to
the type was first published in November 1908 by Spinden.[249] In the
Thompson River region this type has not been found. Mr. James Teit
informs me that he asked all the old Thompson Indian women of the
vicinity of Spences Bridge about this type of matting, submitting a
model of it to them which I sent him. They all stated that they never
saw that particular type made in the Thompson River region and if ever
made there it must have been before the memory of those now living. The
only pierced matting made there as far as they have ever known is the
tule tent mat,[250] but the strands of this were not twisted, being like
those shown in Fig. 70. They had a weave similar to this and the same in
general effect in the common mat used for beds and on which to sit,
known as the floor mat, but the strands were woven and not
stitched.[251] Certain rush bags of the Quinault and the Makah resemble
this type of matting but the rushes are not pierced.
[245] Teit (a), Fig. 131c.
[246] _Cf._ Smith (d), Fig. 117.
[247] Smith (c), p. 423, Teit (a), p. 188.
[248] Spinden, p. 195.
[249] Spinden, p. 195.
[250] Teit (a), Fig. 131c.
[251] Teit (a), Fig. 131d.
[Illustration: Fig. 71 _a_ (202-8229). Fragment of Matting, made of
Twined Rush, stitched together with twisted cord. From under the pelvis
of skeleton in grave No. 33 (4) in a rock-slide, near the mouth of
Cherry Creek, below Ellensburg. _b_ Diagram of Stitch of _a_. 1/2 nat.
size.]
Matting (202-8162) made of tule stalks stitched together with cords
twisted to the right, but made of large stalks was found in a recent
grave, No. 10 (5) in the rock-slide on the north side of the Naches
River, half a mile above its mouth. Part of this was of a similar type
and stitched with similar cords and part was of the more common form of
sewed matting such as is shown in Fig. 70. This grave had been rifled,
and the presence of bark, a portion of a fire drill (202-8157), part of
a wooden bow (202-8159), two pieces of a finely woven basket (202-8160)
and copper tubes apparently of rolled copper, suggest that it was
modern.
Fig
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