A Taste of Wisconsin	by Jeff Steiner
Central States Archaeological Societies 2023 October Journal	Plymouth, Wisconsin

This excerpt from "A Taste of Wisconsin" published in the 2023 Central States Archaeological Societies 2023 October Journal Read the complete column in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2023 October Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2024

Figure 1.This fluted axe is 11.25” long and has 12 flutes. It was found in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. It is shown as #674 in Gail Highsmith’s book, The Fluted Axe. Ex Claude U. Stone, Earl C. Towsend, Jr., Gene Hynek, Bruce Filbrandt, and Bill Wasemiller. Collection of the Author

 

 

Wisconsin has many natural and beautiful areas to discover. For those of you who have not had a chance to come here and explore our state, it’s a great opportunity to see and enjoy its many natural wonders. For now we will focus on some of the ancient prehistory of Wisconsin.

Fluted axes are one of the more unique types of relics from Wisconsin. Figure 1 is an excellent example. No one knows for sure what the purpose of the flutes was. My thoughts are that they were not for utilitarian uses, such as reducing the weight for the swing of the axe, or helping it slide into the wooden handle better when struck. Rather, I believe that with the incredible amount of time and skill that it took to peck, grind, and polish the flute channels, there had to be some ritual meaning; perhaps only to be used by the leader of the clan or group that that person belonged to.

Gale Highsmith, author of the book, The Fluted Axe, did an awesome job on the study of this style of axe. It is an excellent resource for information and find locations of many of Wisconsin’s artifacts. Most fluted axes show use-wear or even damage on the bit. Some will have been resharpened. That being said, some were certainly used as a chopping or cutting tool for wood, or possibly even ice. Some even showed use-wear from digging in the ground.

A second viable purpose would be that it was used as a clan symbol for religious ceremonies, only to be worn and used by the High Priest or Medicine Man of their clan. A third possible use could have been as a wealth symbol or a trade item while interacting with other groups.

I firmly believe the people that first started making fluted axes were the old Copper Culture Complex people, since their areas of discovery coincide generally with discoveries of the fluted spuds. Pictured on the inside back cover is arguably the finest ....