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Object Number
90-17-10/51063
Display Title
Quahog shell for making wampum
Descriptions
Object Description
Quahog shell for making wampum. This is a shell of the quahog or hard clam (Venus mercenaria). It measures 8.2 cm at its greatest width and 7.3 cm from the lip to the hinge. The purple areas of the lip in this specimen are 5 mm thick which makes this shell of sufficient size for the production of purple wampum beads. However, it is unclear from the catalogue whether this shell comes from a wampum production site or was simply collected as an example of the type of shells used in wampum production.
Inventory Description
Shell, Quahog
Classification
- Shell
Department
Archaeological
Culture
- Northeast
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
United States
/
Maine
/
Lincoln County
/
Damariscotta
/
Great Shell heap
Materials
Shell
Dimensions
Overall: 8.2 x 6.7 x 2.3 cm (3 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 7/8 in.)
Quantity
1
Label on object
51063
Credit Line
Gift of the American Antiquarian Society, 1890
Provenance
Collector
Unknown
Donor
American Antiquarian Society
(01/01/1890)
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