Hello HISTARCH,

During a recent Archaeological Survey class we recovered an iron fishing spear from the surface of what appears to be a mid- to late 19th-/very early 20th-century domestic site on a terrace above the Mississippi River in Morrison County, Minnesota. The link below is to an image of the spear we recovered. The site is likely associated with the 19th-century community of Belle Prairie, which was, at least in part, an interesting ethnic enclave of French Canadian men, mostly married to Native American women and their métis families. We do not currently have much information concerning the occupants for this site. However, we know that spear fishing was and is an important activity among many indigenous groups in the Great Lakes region and was/is also practiced by many Euro Americas as well. While there is some ethnohistorical (including some great images), ethnographic, and historical information about spear fishing in the Great Lakes region, we have yet to uncover much in the way of archaeological evidence for the practice.  Any information about the type of spear, method of manufacture (if appears to be hand forged), date, or function is appreciated. I am also very curious to know if there are other, similar specimens found in archaeological contexts.

https://mnscu-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/r/personal/jw7516fr_minnstate_edu/Documents/IMG_2079_spear.jpg?csf=1&web=1&e=iR0swN

Best,
Rob

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Rob Mann, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Department of Anthropology
St. Cloud State University
252 Stewart Hall
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301
Phone: 320-308-4181


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