An Unusual Decorated Steatite Slab from Northwestern California

Abstract

The prehistory of northwestern California is yet largely unknown. Any information on archaeological types is therefore of interest. The following note constitutes the description of a unique flat steatite slab upon one of whose surfaces drilled conical pits and holes, together with some incised lines, occur (Fig. 85).Steatite was locally abundant. Numerous outcrops were worked anciently as evidenced by the large number of prehistoric objects made of this material. Modern Indians know the location of some of these outcrops, and describe the methods of extracting the stone from the mass.1 For the most part steatite was employed in making grease dishes and bowls.The specimen described here is in the private collection of Dr. H. H. Stuart of Eureka, and was recovered by him many years ago from the surface of the site of the village of Tsapekw which lies toward the northern end of Stone Lagoon on the ocean shore of Humboldt County.