Norwegian archaeologist Gustav M. Jesch documented parallels between stone gouges from the Gulf of Maine and Baltic/Scandinavia from the 1940s onward. The comparison includes green volcanic metatuff tools, decorated bone combs and bird-head motifs. The video asks whether these parallels reflect coincidence or ancient maritime contact.
Stone gouges show design and material similarities across the Baltic and Northeast North America
Key facts
- Stone gouges are ground-stone woodworking tools found along waterways, particularly around the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy.
- Similarities between northeastern North American and Baltic/Scandinavian gouges and decorated bone combs were discussed from the 1940s by Norwegian archaeologist Gustav M. Jesch.
- Both regions have bone combs with line-and-dot decoration and bird-head motifs, and both have gouges made from green volcanic metatuff.
- Find records cited include Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Finland, extending east toward the Urals, as well as concentrations in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
- The video also cites stylized gouges with bear heads, hand grips and multi-tool forms.
- Stone gouges are associated with woodworking such as hollowing dugout canoes; the supplied references do not support describing them as swordfish-hunting tools.
- The video presents ancient maritime contact as a possible explanation for the similarities, not an established conclusion.
Sources
Letter Openers, Desktop Items, Pens & Writing Instruments ... - PicClickpicclick.com
The blade measures 5.5 inches, making it long enough to easily open letters. Crafted from steel, this 8-inch letter opener is durable and designed to last.
Drowned coastal deposits with associated archaeological ...pubs.geoscienceworld.org
Drowned coastal deposits with associated archaeological remains from a sea-level “slowstand”: Northwestern Gulf of Maine, USA Available.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PUBLISHED ARTICLES. ...mainearchsociety.org
2006 Intersite Comparisons of Archaic Period Stone Artifacts: The Clark I Site and the Gulf of Maine Archaic Tradition.In The Archaic of the the Far Northeast, ...
Prehistoric Artifacts Found In Blue Hill Bay, Mainemaritimehistory.org
examples of Native American gouges and a spear point that were hauled by a Blue Hill Bay scallop dragger. These new finds are tentatively dated ...
Archaeological Investigation: Searsport, Maineoceansurveys.com
Ocean Surveys conducted an Archaeological Investigation using marine geophysical techniques to support a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.
Archaeology on Hurricane Island, Mainearchaeological.org
The remains of late nineteenth century granite mining and finishing operations at Hurricane Island, Maine, are a testament to a very recent instance of humans' ...
Beginner's Guide to Gouges and Chisels for Woodcarvingwoodworkersinstitute.com
Discover essential gouge and chisel tips for beginner woodcarvers, starting with the Sheffield List standards. Learn how to expand your toolset.
All About Chisels, Gouges, and V-Tools Part 1woodcarvingillustrated.com
Learn to tell the difference between different profiles, sizes, and shapes of gouges, chisels, and V-tools.
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