While it is generally accepted that most Natives Americans used as much, or all, of an animal that had been hunted, it is not always clear how the parts were actually used. The piece featured above is a war club that is common to some of the Plain’s tribes, such as the Lakota. Although not as strong as steel, the jaw bones of large grazing animals, such as buffalo and elk, are quite sturdy.
Leather was wrapped in the space between the incisors (front teeth) and the molars (back teeth). This space is common to many herbivorous animals and made an excellent handle. The rest of the bone was carefully painted with symbols of personal or tribal significance. This example has delicately drilled holes where cones and bells made of copper have been attached with sinew.