---
title: Nutting Stone
author: Adriana Dunn
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14973/nutting-stone/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Nutting Stone

_Authored by [Adriana Dunn](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/a.dunn92/)_

## Image File

[![Nutting Stone](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14973.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14973.jpg)

## Image Caption

Nutting stone from the Hatchie River Region in West Tennessee, Early [Archaic Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaic_Period/), c. 8,000 BCE.

Hatchie River Museum at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.

Nutting stones such as this were used to harvest mast, or the fruit of a nut, from their shells. A small depression was ground out from the surface of the stone. Then the nut was placed in the depression and struck by a wooden or stone hammer. Because nutting stones are generally heavy and hard to transport, their discovery on prehistoric sites suggests that the indigenous group they come from lived a more sedentary, permanent lifestyle within a settlement or village.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Hello my name is Adriana Dunn and I am currently working as the assistant director at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis. My interests include cultural heritage, collections management, and art and archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean world.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-dunn-85880a128/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Dunn, A. (2021, December 08). Nutting Stone. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14973/nutting-stone/>
### Chicago
Dunn, Adriana. "Nutting Stone." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 08, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14973/nutting-stone/>.
### MLA
Dunn, Adriana. "Nutting Stone." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Dec 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14973/nutting-stone/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Adriana Dunn](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/a.dunn92/ "User Page: Adriana Dunn"), published on 08 December 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.