WHEELER

PUMICE ARTIFACTS FROM THE MIAMI CIRCLE 197

 

Figure 4. Weathered exterior of pumice clast, Sutton site (8DA1034) (HMSF 1874.1).

see discussion of pumice as an abrasive for cleaning armor
during the sixteenth century in Ffoulkes 1912:80).

Faceting (n=5). Faceting occurs when two or more, often
rather small, flat surfaces are adjacent to one another. Faceting
appears to result from use in polishing or abrading, like the
dome-shaped specimens with one larger flat surface described
above. In this case, however, the objects being polished may be
smaller or more intricate, requiring the user to rub with only a
small part of the clast. Multiple facets probably occur as the
clast is rotated to best fit into tight spaces. Pumice clasts with
faceting also may have served in polishing wood, especially
more elaborate carvings with recessed areas.

Ring or Crescent-shaped Forms (n=2). No complete ring-
shaped clasts (circular with a central perforation) were found,
but there are a number of crescent-shaped clasts that may be
broken rings. These are the most highly modified pumice
artifacts observed. It is not clear if these were utilitarian objects

or were ornamental.

Cube-shaped Forms (n=3). Cube-shaped specimens have 6 flat
sides and resemble a contemporary gaming die. It is possible
that these cubes were used in abrading or polishing, though they
also may have been made into cubes for some other purpose.

Plummet Forms (n=2). Two specimens, both from Key Largo
1 (8MO25) (see Table | and Figure 10), are pumice clasts
shaped like the plummet-form artifacts most typically made
from limestone or shell (Reiger 1990:227). The first example
is nicely made, almost circular at its widest point, with a
grooved knob at one end. The second specimen is flat and
rectangular with rounded corners, and a shallow, irregular
groove at one end.

Distribution of Pumice at Brickell Point

Pumice appears to be abundant throughout the Brickell