Gijs asked about a particular type of pick made from the conch
(Strombus gigas). I can't add any thing to that, but though that it
might be of relevance to note that shell, especially the shell of S.
gigas, was used as raw material for tools (axes and adzes) on Barbados
in prehistory. (See Drewett, P. (1991) Prehistoric Barbados. Archetype
Press). I don't know if these tools were also made in Florida, but if
local stone was scarce I would not be surprised. However, Gijs' query
seemd to relate to a more recent tradition.

Liz Somerville


Dr Liz Somerville
Sub-Dean (Academic Affairs)
School of Biological Sciences
University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9QG

Tel: 01273 877460
internal no: 7460

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