These fishhooks were made from AD 900-1600 off the southern coast of California on Saint Nicholas Island. These curved shell hooks are an improvement from the earlier straight hooks, and were adapted in order to catch ocean fish more successfully.
Shell Fishhooks, Saint Nicholas Island, California
Ancient Americas at the Field Museum
By K. Kris Hirst, About.com Guide
Shell fish hooks, South Coastal Californians (3000 BC-AD 900), California
John Weinstein, © The Field Museum©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.