Glossary-Process of Archaeology

Glossary

Back to all terms

Mano

Mano This mano, or handheld grinding stone, is made of a whitish granite that probably came from glacial outwash deposited along the Mississippi and Black Rivers. It has one distinctly flat surface with minor pitting in the center from slight hammering. The other side is less heavily ground and has more extensive pitting. Manos are common at late precontact Oneota sites in the La Crosse area, especially at intensive agricultural settlements such those in the Sand Lake Archaeological District north of La Crosse. This example was found during 2008 excavations at Sand Lake.