Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: swamp monkey on June 12, 2014, 06:45:17 pm
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I finished another shell cup replica. The shell cup measures 10 3/4" long, 6 1/4" wide, and 4" deep. The shell was up to 1/4" thick. This shell cup was made from a lightning whelk. My first one was made from another species that whorled to the right. According to archeologists, lightning whelks are what the natives used because they whorled to the left. If you want to see the process visit http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,42399.msg568015.html#msg568015
These cups were used by prehistoric mound builders and historic southeastern tribes in their black drink ceremonies. They used a Deep South native shrub deciduous holly Ilex vomitoria to brew the highly caffeinated drink. As you might suspect by the plant's scientific name, part of the ceremony involved vomiting.
Thanks for looking.
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BTW the design is a faithful copy of a shell cup found at Spiro OK.
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Nice shell cup, BM. Whelk shells spiral to the left, I think.
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Very Nice work, a piece of art.
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Nice shell cup, BM. Whelk shells spiral to the left, I think.
Pat, you are correct. Changes made above. Thanks.
SM
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Sorry for the BM, SM. ::)
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I really want one of these! It's just too cool for words!
Thanks, too, for the anthropological insights, too!
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Now that is a well crafted replica.
I like it much.
Zuma
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Here is a photo of the original.
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That reminds me of an Aztec or Inca design. Is that drawing considered a south eastern design? I believe the Cherokee partook of the black drink. I tried it an event but I think it was rum :-[
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That reminds me of an Aztec or Inca design. Is that drawing considered a south eastern design? I believe the Cherokee partook of the black drink. I tried it an event but I think it was rum :-[
As best I can understand it the mound Building culture spawned a lot of our historic tribes. Mound builders occupied a lot of the Deep South and the Midwest. So it makes sense that their customs and art would end up in more recent native people groups.
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That is super cool, and insightful. I have had a few of those ceremonies, but usually it was the white drink in a Mason jar >:D
Did you scrimshaw that?
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Did you scrimshaw that?
Yes I did. It gives me a lot of respect for those who did this with sandstones and flint flakes!
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Here is link with instructions for brewing the black drink.
http://jworthblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/brewing-black-drink.html.
You southern fellas are going to have to let me know how it turns out. I have deciduous holly up here but not that species. Enjoy!
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You have the gene,you are an artist.
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Swamp Monkey, this has been a very educational thread for me, as I was unaware of the black drink tradition of the Gulf and South coast tribes. Can I ask what tools you used to cut and dress that lovely whelk shell?
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That is absolutely breathtaking work! I love it! By the way, do you by chance carve shell gorgets?
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Swamp Monkey, this has been a very educational thread for me, as I was unaware of the black drink tradition of the Gulf and South coast tribes. Can I ask what tools you used to cut and dress that lovely whelk shell?
I used a dremel with diamond tipped bits. The spherical round bit works best. I recommend working for a set time and putting the tools away. Unless you have a high end rotary tool the vibration gets to your hand.
Thanks for the kind words fellas.
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That is absolutely breathtaking work! I love it! By the way, do you by chance carve shell gorgets?
I do dabble in it. Some new ones are in the works. Here is a link
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=47979.msg667118#msg667118
I am making gorgets, adzes and chisels. I will post pix as I make progress. thanks for looking.