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Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center / Past Cultures

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Elk Astragalus – Carved

Carved Elk bone The artifact shown here was recovered in an Oneota feature from the Sand Lake Archaeological District in La Crosse County, Wisconsin in the mid 1980s. It is a tarsal bone (astragalus) from the lower, rear leg of an elk. It has been modified with a series of deeply cut grooves on the anterior face of the bone. An apparent attempt to shape the bone on the posterior, face as well as the lateral and medial aspects is indicated by coarse grinding striations. If some imagination is applied, it is possible to perceive something of an anthropomorphic image on this specimen.

(Entry by Dr. James Theler)

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MVAC Educational Programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This project was supported in part by the National Science Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.