H16.2630

Drill point, flaked chert. For perforating shell or beads. From the History Information Station: "Object: Wooden hand drill shaft with chert drill bit attached to shaft with sinew. The shaft was manufactured for this exhibit. The drill bit (16.2630) was collected among the Pomo of Lake County and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It was acquired by C.P. Wilcomb, founding curator of the Oakland Public Musuem in 1914. History: This hand drill is of the type traditionally used to drill holes in the center of clam shell disk beads. The earliest drill shafts were created from straight, debarked tree shoots, such as snowberry. The drill shaft was tipped by a carefully made bit, usually of chert, which was favored for its strength. The drill makers were specialists. Amnong the Pomo, this role was handed down matrilineal linnes of descent. The driller held the shaft between both hands and twirled it back and forth by brisk rubbing while applyuing as much downward pressure as possible."