The Right Tool for the Job

Having the right tool available to accomplish a task is fundamentally important to getting the job done right.  Frequently while working on a project at the Painted Pony Resort the right tool turns out to be either back in the garage or a tool not on the estate.  In the case of the former, this means a drive back to the garage to locate the right tool.  But in the case of the latter, it means either creating the required tool or spending a day (or week) trying to locate one.  For the indigenous former inhabitants this always meant creating a tool ones self and when the technology is based on rock, fire, clay, and plant material it means creating a specialty tool from what is available on the landscape.

Below is a photograph of a modified oval mano that has secondary modifications for specialty use.  The oval mano measures about 3.25" in width x 2.75" in length x 1.5" thick, is pecked around the edges and is smooth on both faces from use.  By examining the interface between pecking around the outside of the mano and the flat smooth grinding surfaces, 2 different periods of pecking are distinguishable.  At each end of the mano the flat smooth grinding surface grades off smoothly from the surface area into the pecked edge.  This is consistent with pecking the edge first to shape the tool then subsequent use as a grinding stone.  In contrast, the pecked indentations on each side of the mano impinge upon the smooth grinding surface suggesting the notches were created after the tool was completed and used for grinding for a period of time.  The purpose of the notches may be for hafting or fine control in grinding small amounts of material.  If the mano were modified, adding notches for hafting for use as a hammer, chipping from use would be expected on each end.  Instead of damage resulting from use as a hammer, one end shows smoothing as if used as a grinder for small amounts of material.  This observation leads to the suggestion that this modified mano was used as a pigment grinder in the production of small amounts of pigment for pottery.  The modified mano fits nicely in one hand and can be easily manipulated with a rocking motion, such as that required to break up small amounts of natural stone pigment.  This was tested with a small amount of turquoise procured locally and indeed it is a simple matter, using a rocking motion, to grind the turquoise into a fine powder suitable for painting on pottery using the modified mano.

Just another example how those who lived on this landscape in the past created and built a life for themselves.

Face of modified mano

Edge of modified mano

Experiment - grinding turquoise with modified mano

Addendum:  For additional information on multiple uses of stone tools see this link.

A Tradition of Birding in the Chiricahua Mountains

Cave Creek Canyon and the surrounding Chiricahua Mountains are considered by many to be one of the nations top birding areas.  With 375 documented avian species the area attracts birders from around the world.  Whether searching for Elegant Trogons, hepatic Tanagers or hummingbirds the area is a favorite with many visitors.  The history of birding in western culture traces its roots to the 18th century when in addition to a food source the aesthetics of birds began to gain popularity.  But, is there evidence of other earlier cultures which inhabited the area around the Chiricahua Mountains which also may have valued birds?  The answer would appear to be yes.  Bird motifs are common theme on Mogollon/Mimbres pottery who comprised some of the early inhabitants in the San Simon Valley and Mogollon bird pictographs have also been recorded.  The images below are of a carved stone bird fetish found in the San Simon Valley on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains (the photograph is of the reproduction made by a local artist from the original).  It was a surface find but came from an area where a parrot cage door had been recovered.  Taken together these 3 lines of evidence would suggest interest in birds (and possibly) birding has a long history in and around the Chiricahua Mountains.