Early man
1.75" H x 5.375" L x 1.625" W
Hand Crafted from Stone in a Long Skinny Teardrop Form
In Very Good Condition
Charmstones, also known as plummets, are enigmatic stone artifacts found primarily in California, as well as parts of the Mississippi Valley and Florida. These objects are typically elongated, cylindrical, or tear-drop shaped, often finely ground and polished from materials like steatite, quartz, or hematite. While they physically resemble a modern builder's plumb bob, leading early collectors to label them "plummets," archaeological and ethnographic evidence confirms they served ceremonial and magical functions rather than utilitarian ones. Many feature a perforation or groove at one end, indicating they were designed to be suspended from cordage.
In Native California cultures, particularly among the Windmiller, Chumash, Maidu, and Wintun peoples, these stones were regarded as powerful talismans. Ethnographic records describe them as "charms" or "luck stones" used by shamans and religious specialists. Their purported magical powers included:
Hunting and Fishing: Suspended above nets or weirs to ensure a bountiful catch.
Rainmaking:Ritually dipped in water or sung over to induce rain, a critical function in California's dry climate.
Healing:Used in curing ceremonies to drive away disease.
Warfare: Some evidence suggests they were associated with conflict and resource competition during the Early Period (3500–500 BC).
Condition:
Very Good
Tribe:
Anasazi - Hohokam - Salado - Caddo
Year Range:
Early Man
Region:
Southwest
Dimensions:
1.75 in5.38 in1.63 in
Category:
Stone Artifacts - Censers - Paint Palettes - Donuts - Balls - Other
