Artifact Spotlight - Thunderbird Motif

Smoothed rock with the thunderbird motif from the Sylvester Manor collection

A smoothed rock and a Spanish coin, both with a thunderbird motifs on them were excavated from Sylvester Manor. These artifacts show one of the ways that Native people at Sylvester Manor continued to practice aspects of their cultural and spiritual traditions in an oppressive environment, by altering materials accessible to them in order to carry various uses and meanings.

The etched coin is an example of a Spanish Cob that was most likely manufactured around 1621-1665. There is an X etched into one side of the coin as well as what looks to be a similar Thunderbird motif to the one found on the smoothed rock. The X etching may also be a variation of the Thunderbird motif, as they can be found elsewhere in both styles to represent Thunderbirds. This may indicate that these two objects in this collection were altered by the same person. The Thunderbird motif on these objects points to the continued spiritual practices of Native Americans at this site.

Spanish Cob with the etched thunderbird motif

Spanish Cob with the etched thunderbird motif

Drawing of the rock with a clearer depiction of the thunderbird etched in

The persistence of cultural symbols on these items exemplifies the ways that Native people coped with oppressive labor systems that altered their ability to practice traditional lifeways. The Thunderbird motif is an example of a Native person at Sylvester manor honoring their cultural heritage and traditions and exerting their agency onto a landscape where their movements were heavily regulated and controlled.

Photos:

Smoothed rock with the thunderbird motif from the Sylvester Manor collection

Drawing of the rock with a clearer depiction of the thunderbird etched in

Spanish Cob with the etched thunderbird motif