If it doesn't open, might it be a whistle?

M. Pickands, NYS Museum

>>> [log in to unmask] 01/26/06 12:43 PM >>>
Dear Listmembers,

An artifact was recently uncovered during some landscape work on the 
grounds of St. Peter's Catholic Church and Rectory in Harpers Ferry,
West 
Virginia. I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide as
to 
the identification of this object, its purpose, and likely date of 
manufacture. 

Photos of the area in which it was uncovered and of the artifact, as
well 
as background information about the site (which dates from the 1830s 
onward) are available online at:

http://www.anthro.uiuc.edu/faculty/cfennell/StPeter2006.html 

I suspect it is a form of mussel shell snuff box, but it has some
unusual 
characteristics.

Many thanks!
Chris

**********************
Christopher C. Fennell
Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
109 Davenport Hall, MC-148, 607 S. Mathews Ave.
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
phone: (217) 244-7309 fax: (217) 244-3490
http://www.anthro.uiuc.edu/faculty/cfennell