A New (Old) Theory of Bannerstones I have chanced upon on old hypothesis about bannerstones that has shot to become my favorite. Namely that they were whistles used as bird calls or to communicate through bird mimicry. Some Central Algonquian tribes, specifically the Kickapoo, had entire dialects comprised entirely of bird mimicry sounds, a language with obvious strategic value in warfare. This would immediately explain the ubiquity of tubes, the use of standard resonant materials, and the bird-wing design that would provide a hand-hold and simulate the birds being mimicked. They might also have been used to call the pigeon flocks to landing. This theory was first proposed by two Europeans, Count Eric von Rosen and Bror Gustaver, in the 1920s. We have a rare opportunity to test this theory since we know someone with a prime specimen. So, Cheri Williams, how about it. I urge you to whet your whistle and give it a try -- see if you can produce a resonant sound out of the thing. Dont necessarily treat it as a whistle as such but see if by holding it up to your mouth it will resonate and modify sounds, kind of like a turkey call. Also try covering the opposite hole in various ways. If we demonstrate this it will be quite fantastic!
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 01:56:38 +0000