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POLISHED CHERT
LIZARD
EFFIGIES
MISSOURI & ILLINOIS
LATE ARCHAIC TO LATE MIDDLE WOODLAND

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COPYRIGHT FEBRUARY 28, 2007 PETER A. BOSTROM

ABSTRACT IMAGE OF
POLISHED CHERT LIZARD EFFIGIES

   The manufacturing process is fairly simple. Chert lizards were made from either fresh flakes or from already finished points. If they were made from already finished points, the chosen point may have had some significance to the individual who reshaped it. The initial form was made by percussion & pressure flaking. The final finishing work was done by grinding and polishing the surface until, in some cases, almost all flake scars were removed.

5 examples of polished chert effigies.
CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGER IMAGE

POLISHED CHERT EFFIGIES
ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    The five polished chert effigies in this picture represent some of the different styles for these unique artifacts. The point on the left is one of many examples that have been found in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri. For whatever reason, both large and small points of different types were ground and polished until most of the flake scars were erased. This point was found in Madison County, Illinois. It's made of white Burlington chert and measures 4 5/8 inches (11.7 cm) long. The two human or bird forms also represent another style of polished chert effigy from this same area. The one on the left is from Adams County, Illinois and the one on the right is from Greene County, Illinois. The other two effigies are classic examples of polished chert lizards that have also been found in the same areas of Illinois and Missouri.

    It's interesting to see how the lizard theme is used in different cultures. Lizards have been described in mythic tales and illustrated in many different forms. Their physical bodies have also had special uses. In Pomo myths, lizard is described as a creator of humans or in a conversation with coyote, he offers his hands as a design for human hands, etc. The Carib of the West Indies were quite superstitious about travel at sea----"While at sea they ate no crabs or lizards and drank no water, for fear of not being able to reach land." Of course, lizards have been widely used as a food source for protein. The skins of lizards are also used for various items, even as jewelry by the Chaco of central South America---"It has become fashionable among the acculturated Indians to wear rings made of segments of the tail skin of lizards." In central Australia, the Arunta medicine men must receive a certain type of lizard energy into their bodies that gives them "great suctorial powers" to heal the sick.

Polished chert lizard from Illinois or Missouri.
POLISHED CHERT LIZARD
PIKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
PRIVATE COLLECTION

   This polished chert lizard was found in Pike County, Illinois and it's a fairly typical example. It has a short head and neck and all four legs are intact along with the tail. This polished lizard is made of white Burlington chert and measures approximately 4 3/4 inches (12.1 cm) long.

     Polished chert lizards where not items used in a utilitarian function such as food processing or as a tool to shape wood or bone. They show no use wear. Lizard effigies represent an iconographic theme that suggests a connection between a group of people over a period of time. These were not items made by individual flights of fancy. Polished lizards were used within a society or religious concept that involved many people with the same idea, whatever that idea was.

Polished chert lizard from Illinois or Missouri.
POLISHED CHERT LIZARD
ILLINOIS OR MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION

    This polished chert lizard is missing its tail but its head and legs are still intact. It's made of white Burlington chert.

     Polished lizards are easy to identify with their four legs, long tail and a head. We know how they were made, the areas where they were used and a reasonable idea of how old they are. But beyond that, they will always be mysterious objects. Their purpose may have been simple or if they relate in part to a concept similar to New Guinea je stones, they could have many different uses and meanings. In either case they must have been important to the people who once owned them.

"REFERENCES"

1912, Hodge, Frederick Webb, "Problematical Objects," Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, pp. 307-308.
1933
, Barrett, S. A., "Pomo Myths," p. 81.
1946
, Metraux, Alfred, "The Purf-Coroado Linguistic Family," Handbook of South American Indians, p. 529.
1946
, Metraux, Alfred, "Indians of the Gran Chaco, Ethnography of the Chaco," Handbook of South American Indians, p. 279.
1946
, Tschopik, Jr., Harry, "The Aymara," Handbook of South American Indians, p. 569.
1948
, Rouse, Irving, "The Carib," Handbook of South American Indians, p. 554.
1967
, Stevens, B. W., "A Polished Lizard," Central States Archaeological Journal, vol. 14, no. 2, p. 57.
1968
, Spencer, Baldwin & Gillen, F. J., "The Native Tribes of Central Australia," pp. 525 & 531.
1970
, Gerber, Art, "Latest Finds at Crib Mound, Spencer County, Indiana," Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol. 17, No. 2, p.89.
1978
, Jernigan, E. Wesley, "The Aymara," Jewelery of the prehistoric southwest, p. 57.
2005
, by ?, "Lizard, Bird and Animal flint Effigies," Prehistoric American, vol. 39, no. 4, p. 3.

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