For Hunting and Gathering:
* Bow and Arrow: A staple for hunting game. The bows were made of wood, often with a sinew backing for extra power, and the arrows were tipped with flint, bone, or stone points.
* Spears and Atlatl: Used for both hunting and warfare. Spears were made of wood and tipped with a stone or bone point, while the atlatl (throwing stick) aided in launching spears further and with greater force.
* Tomahawks: The iconic tool for both warfare and everyday use. They were made of wood, stone, or bone and could be used for chopping, digging, and throwing.
* Nets: For catching fish and small animals. They were woven from fibers like hemp, nettle, or bark.
* Fishing Hooks: Crafted from bone, stone, or even thorns, these allowed them to catch fish more effectively.
* Gathering Baskets: Woven from various materials like bark, reeds, and grasses, these were used for collecting berries, nuts, and other plant foods.
For Construction and Everyday Use:
* Stone Knives: Sharp, flint or obsidian blades were used for cutting, scraping, and processing animal hides and wood.
* Scrapers: Used for preparing hides, smoothing wood, and making tools.
* Adzes: Similar to axes, but with a blade that was perpendicular to the handle, adzes were used for shaping wood.
* Chisels: Used for carving wood, bone, and stone.
* Awls: Made from bone, stone, or metal, awls were used for piercing holes in hides, wood, and other materials.
* Wampum Belts: Made from polished shells, wampum belts were used for recording history, treaties, and messages.
For Clothing and Housing:
* Bone Needles: Used for sewing together hides, furs, and plant fibers.
* Weaving Looms: Used for creating intricate patterns in cloth and blankets from materials like hemp and nettle.
* Dyes: Made from natural pigments and used for coloring clothing, baskets, and other items.
* Birch Bark: A versatile material used for building houses, canoes, and making containers.
* Hides: Used for clothing, bedding, and shelter.
Important Note: The Mohawk, like all Indigenous peoples, had a deep respect for the natural world. They recognized that the tools they used were gifts from their ancestors and the land. Their tools were carefully made and often imbued with spiritual significance.
These are just a few examples of the many tools used by the Mohawk people. Their ingenuity and craftsmanship allowed them to thrive in their environment for centuries.