{"product_id":"chumash-steatite-heating-stone","title":"Chumash Steatite Heating Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eca. 15th - 18th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003e5.375\" L x 4\" W x 1\" Deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eFlat Stone Tool with Hole used to Cook Small Food Items\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eExcellent Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eThe Chumash people, indigenous to the coastal regions of Southern California (primarily Santa Barbara County and the Channel Islands), were skilled artisans who utilized steatite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e—also known as soapstone—a soft, heat-resistant metamorphic rock. This material was quarried mainly from Santa Catalina Island and traded widely across the region. While steatite is best known for Chumash cooking vessels like ollas (spherical bowls) and skillets, it was also fashioned into smaller artifacts, including what appear to be specialized heating stones for food preparation. These stones were heated in fires and used in stone boiling techniques to cook foods in watertight baskets or other containers without direct flame exposure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003c!--StartFragment --\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf0\"\u003eProvenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"pf0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"cf1\"\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--EndFragment --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique American Indian Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45976137892005,"sku":"5231-028","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/6071\/5685\/files\/5231-028_5.jpg?v=1761582428","url":"https:\/\/antiqueamericanindianart.com\/products\/chumash-steatite-heating-stone","provider":"Antique American Indian Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}