Relics, Sticks & Stones

When I was spending more time paddling on the Susquehanna River, one of my favorite pastimes was to stop on islands and explore; sometimes for hours. At times, I would get down on my hands and knees to inspect every unusual rock or piece of debris that came into view.

 

Over the years, I've found some very interesting "stuff", including the three rocks pictured below. Other than cleaning off mud, I've done nothing to alter their appearance. 

 

The Susquehannock ruled the Susquehanna River valleys for countless generations; from the Chesapeake Bay to the present day Sayre PA area...and perhaps beyond. Until the first Europeans began to arrive, their working materials were limited to everything nature had to provide; water, rocks, trees, animals and plants.

 

In reading numerous accounts of the games that Native Americans of this region played, I know that sticks and stones were a major component of many of them. I would like to think that perhaps in the distant past, some young Susquehannock boy or girl found these stones on an island in the Susquehanna, added the eyes or drilled the hole in the smaller piece above, and used them in the games they played in their longhouse on cold winter nights. 

 

These little pieces of the past, along with other items I've gathered along the way, sit on a slab of pipestone ( Catlinite ) on the top shelf of the desk I sit at in my home office when I do my early morning blogging, like today.

 

 

 

At some point in the future, I think I'll create a few "relics" from that pipestone and leave them scattered on islands in the Susquehanna, hoping they will be discovered by someone crawling along on their knees...centuries from now.

 

Enjoy your weekend.