in use for a long time to have caused the wear near the perforations, consequently have been the cherished property of its aboriginal owner.
One can easily see the marks of where the cords have worn slight grooves or abrasions between the different perforations. This is where it differs from all the tablets with two perforations only that have come under my observation, as they as a rule never bear any marks of cords.[1]
This tablet, it will be noticed, bears on its upper margin a slight notch or groove, worn smooth as by the wearing of a cord. The abrasions on this tablet having been made by cords or sinews passing through the various perforations, the question naturally arises how were the cords put on to have caused the wear in those particular places, and why were they put on in that way? If it was a gorget or a pendant, why the necessity of so much cord traveling through the different perforations, which evidently belonged to it when in use; why so many perforations, when one loop and one perforation would have answered? This I consider as a proof it was not a gorget, nor was it worn as an ornament.
Let me proceed and illustrate as simply as I can how this tablet was used and strung during the aboriginal era. Take a piece of cord thirty six inches long or thereabouts, tie the two ends together, place it on
- ↑ Rau. Smithsonian Contributions, No. 287, 1876, page 33.
