Tool

This spatulate tool could have been used for a variety of purposes. Hillary Stewart notes that these types of tools were used: "where prying, gouging, or creasing wood was needed. The edible inner bark of certain trees was pried or scraped off, and the inner bark of the cedar was pried loose prior to stripping it from the tree. The... wide spatulate tip [was] possibly used in making baskets or weaving. There must have been many uses for tools like these which we are not aware (1973:120)."

Catalogue card notes that this bone implement was found in the "Upper M 3' of the Eburne Shellmound, Marpole B.C." (The piece appears to have had plaster added for stabilization.)

Spatulate tool. Long flat bone piece, slightly triangular in shape with one wider end and rounded tips. Made from sea mammal bone. The bone has a spongy appearance.