How to Identify Native American Mortars & Pestles
- 1). Look to see if the material used to make it is stone or wood. Native Americans often used round stones that had natural indentations as the mortar. Pestles were carved from strong wood or stick-shaped rocks.
- 2). Check if the mortar was once a tree stump. Tree stumps made sturdy mortars for grinding large batches of items as the person could stand next to it and use body weight to push on the pestle.
- 3). Observe the size of the mortar and pestle. Many Native American tribes used large rocks and pieces of wood to grind food. It was a communal culture and they cooked together. Large batches of food were made to feed the entire tribe. Small mortar and pestles were often smooth stone and used by shamans and village healers.
- 4). Look for artwork on the mortar and pestle. Typical Native American mortar and pestles were used for functionality, not decoration. If it's decorated with colors or pictures, it is probably not authentic.
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