ENGRAVED CRANIAL
These
engraved human bone rattles were discovered during the excavation of
Twin Mounds on the Pinson Mounds site. Each one was found at the knees of an
adult male who was approximately 45 years old. Each of these rattles
were found in pairs of circular discs that were cut from a human
cranium. Only these two discs were engraved. Luckily, the plain halves
were the least preserved of the four pieces. Each pair of rattles are
drilled at the edges where they were tied together with thongs. Small
yellow quartzite river pebbles were used to create the sound. Several
strings of ovoid shell beads were also found that may have been attached
to the rattles. These rattles measure approximately 3 15/16 inches (10
cm) in diameter.
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