Chesapeake Diamonds

These artifacts are appropriately named for their distinct, quadrilateral diamond shape and are typically found in Virginia (though also spread into Maryland and North Carolina). Sometimes defined as a type of projectile point, archaeologists note that use wear patterns suggest that they are actually specialized tools. This is due to the fact that two or more tips typically exhibit this damage, as opposed to just one as would be expected from a projectile. Though no definite function is known, some believe that they could have been used for tasks such as engraving slate or bone. Rhyolite, as seen with all four of our examples, is a common material type for these diamonds.

While three of the examples are from mixed contexts, one is from the kitchen cellar. The cellar dates from 1608-1610 when it was filled in during the fort cleanup after the Starving Time. Though possibly a trade item, this small tool may be associated with Virginia Indian women living and working in the fort. Other tools attributed to these women, such as stone drills used in the production of mussel shell beads and bone needles, have also been recovered from features filled in directly after the Starving Time.

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