Artifacts

Projectile points were usually made from basalt. These points were fastened to shafts by tying them with deer sinew to become arrows or spears. After they were tied, they were glued with pitch. Most of the arrows (stskwill) were made from Nootka Rose or saskatoon branches. Some utensils were carved from stone. Scrapers (usually made from basalt) were used to prepare hides for clothing. To correct an arrow's shaft, a smooth stone was used and it would be stroked back and forth which would straighten the rosewood and saskatoon arrow shafts.

 

Wood was used for clubs and digging sticks. Clubs were mainly used for hunting and war. Digging sticks (petse) were sharpened on both ends and fitted through a hole in the handle. The digging stick was then tied and looked like a "T" or a cross. When one sharp end would become dull it was flipped over and the other sharp end was used. The digging sticks were used to gather roots and corms.

 

Carved bones or antlers were sharpened into spearheads and fishhooks. The spearheads were fastened or woven tight to a wooden shaft with Indian hemp. Fishhooks were made from splintered animal bones.

 

 

 

 

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