Description

Stone scraper. [CAK 17/05/2010]

Longer Description

Stone scraper. One segment of the tool is thicker and rounded, allowing it to be held in the hand. The other segment is flatter and thinner, with a straighter edge for scraping. The grain of the stone is brownish in colour. [CAK 17/05/2010]

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This tool was viewed alongside other stone tools on Monday Sept 14, 2009. Christian White thought this was probably used for grinding or scraping. Another delegate proposed this was a scraper used for scraping tree bark.
In response to the collection of stone tools, delegates commented that the manufacture of stone tools occurred on Haida Gwaii and that it is possible to identify places where tools were made today based on archaeological analysis of detritus at the sites. They noted that there are a variety of stone types on Haida Gwaii and most of the tools found on Haida Gwaii were produced locally. There are sources of obsidian, for instance, although basalt is more common. [CAK 17/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession book entry - C. HARRISON, Esq. Specimens collected from the HAIDA of QUEEN CHARLOTTE ID., B.C.... - [1 of] 2 Natural stones used by the HAIDAS as hammer- & scraping-stones respectively

No additional information on catalogue cards. [JC 5 9 1996]

Written on object - Natural stone used as a scraper, HAIDA, QU. CHARLOTTE ID. Pres. by C. Harrison, 1924. [CAK 29/05/2009]

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]