What is in an Archaic Indian Toolkit?
Men and women used many of the same tools. Some of the tools, however, were used primarily by men and women. As you examine each of the tools below, you will learn who used them and how they were used.
TOOL NAME: Bone Awl
USED BY: Primarily Women
Description: Just as their name says, these tools were made of bone. They were used primarily by women when they were weaving fibers into items like mats and sandals. Their sharp points could also be used to punch holes in hides or robes.
TOOL NAME: Carrying Basket
USED BY: Women
Description: Baskets were used in gathering. They were woven from the fibers of the lechuguilla or sotol plants. A tumpline was attached to a carrying basket. The tumpline rested against a woman’s forehead, allowing her to carry the basket on her back. This freed her hands to do more gathering, tend her children, or keep her balance in some of the dangerous terrain through which she traveled.
TOOL NAME: Cordage
USED BY: Primarily Women
Description: Cordage was made up of many plant fibers. These fibers were woven together to make a strong cord. These cords had many uses. They might be part of one’s clothing or the tools or weapons one used.
TOOL NAME: Deer Antlers
USED BY: Primarily Men
Description: Parts of deer antlers were used in flint knapping. The base of the antler could be used to knock off large flakes of flint. The tines were used to remove smaller flakes that created a cutting edge sharper than the scalpels used by today's surgeons.
TOOL NAME: Digging Stick
USED BY: Women
Description: A digging stick was a long slender stick with a sharp point on one end. It was used primarily by women to dig up the root bulbs of the sotol and lechuguilla plants. They could also be used in self defense and possibly in killing small animal like lizards, rats, and mice.
