An Ultra Rare Disc Pipe Surfaces	by Steven R. Cooper,
Central States Archaeological Societies 2019 January Journal	Kingston Springs, Tennessee

This is an excerpt from "An Ultra Rare Disc Pipe Surfaces". Read the complete 3 page column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2019 January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2020

The top face of the Ceremonial or War-Bundle Disc Pipe found in Lee County, Iowa. It measures 4 5/16 inches in length (110mm), 2 ¼ inches in width (57mm) and 1 9/16 inches in in height (38mm). It is made from a beautiful deep red catlinite that has been heavily patinated from a long period of use. Collection of the Author

When the Old World discovered the New World, included amongst the many new discoveries was the custom of smoking plants through pipes. While there is some minor evidence of a few individuals smoking hemp and inhaling such herbs as lavender for medicinal purposes in European prehistory, pipe smoking was virtually nonexistent. Of the four main plants introduced to the Old World (potatoes, maize, tomatoes, and tobacco), only tobacco spread to nearly every corner of the world. In a short time, large tobacco plantations were producing huge quantities that were transported across the ocean into the markets of Europe and beyond. Clay pipes were mass produced and smoking beyond a popular pastime. Tobacco was also chewed and utilized as snuff (the original tobacco was much stronger than that which is smoked today). This lust for tobacco fueled the slave trade, with massive amounts of labor required to make these pre-industrial operations viable.

While smoking has been popular in the Old World since the mid-1500s, the New World had a smoking culture for thousands of years that combined pleasure, religion and medicine into a myriad of uses that utilized thousands of pipes. In North America the pipe evolved from simple tubes to elaborate enhanced designs that are truly remarkable in their form. Some were made to be utilized in shared communal events. Many were very small versions for personal smoking. These forms spread throughout the continent. The Midwest saw the development of many pipes into an art form, with a high degree of sophistication in style and manufacture.

Read the complete column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2019 January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2020

The pipe as viewed from the bottom. Note the curved base that is also engraved.

Read the complete column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2019 January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2020