| This is a notable archeological find, but does actually fit within the time parameters, and may not be as unusual as you presume.
I assume the gorget is engraved with iconography of the Tennessee Indians' religious beliefs. It is most likely Cherokee I believe.
The Tennessee Indians during that era did make a lot of shell gorgets which were more ceremonial in nature which explains the small size and lack of protection a traditional gorget would afford.
The Native Americans of the time used the wall sections of marine conch shells to produce these gorgets. Presumably the conch shell was obtained from the Gulf of Mexico.
The Tennessee Indians also used this same shell to carve ceremonial masks. |