South Dakota State Historical Society
Archaeological Research Center

Scapula Hoe

Among the gardeners of the Plains Village societies, beginning about 1000 years ago, hoes made from the shoulder blades, or scapulae, of the bison were one of the most important and common bone tools. A bony spine was trimmed from the inner face of the bone after the animal was butchered, leaving a triangular flat blade to which a wooden handle could be attached. Eventually, after heavy use, the blade would be worn down to a short, blunt stub.