Fragment: Pipe

About this object

History of use

Pipe stem from a tobacco pipe. Found at DdRu9, the site of a modern village on the East Saanich Reserve. However the clay and style suggest a European manufactured, historic era trade piece. During the early contact period, a combination of tobacco and kinnikinnick was smoked by older people amongst the Coast Salish. Tobacco was not locally available and was acquired through trade. Archaeologist Don Mitchell, in "Prehistory of the Coasts of Southern British Columbia and Northern Washington", first notes the appearance of "decorated straight pipe bowls (p. 345)" during the Marpole phase (2400-1600 BP).

Narrative

Likely of European manufacture, made of Kaolin clay. Kaolin pipes were popular trade items, widely dispersed. The size of the hole in this pipe stem suggests a historic era date, such as 1800-1900.

Physical description

Pipe stem. Fragment of a clay pipe, cylindrical in shape with a central perforation. It is stamped with the words "Ballic" and "Yachter".