A Slate Gorget from New York State

While it might seem to be a difficult task, comparing modern-day Americans to the first Americans is not as daunting as it may seem. One attribute that the two undoubtedly have in common is the pursuit of personal adornments that demonstrate one’s status and attractiveness. An excellent example of this quest for decoration belongs to a collection by Hiram Deats: a gorget found in Ontario County, New York. This dark gray, banded slate pendant weighs 0.098 kilograms; smooth, with a hole drilled toward the top, it is 92.27 millimeters in length, 44.85 millimeters in width and is 15.47 millimeters in thickness. It possesses a small crack on one side that was most likely put there inadvertently while in use  (Written by Danielle Bibeau).