“Tools to Till the Earth”

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

The plow used in Peru at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards is described by Prescott. Probably it was not materially different from that of the Jaredites. It consisted of a strong sharp-pointed stake, traversed by a horizontal piece some inches from that point. The ploughman forced the lower part of the stake into the ground by means of a rope, to make a furrow. Women followed with rakes, breaking up the sod. (Peru, Prescott, Vol. I, p. 115)

To thrash. In oriental countries during historic times, thrashing was done on a thrashing floor in the open air. The floor was a hard-beaten spot. Often a flail was used. Or oxen were made to tramp the grain out of the sheaves.

Weapons of War. Including bows and arrows, lances, darts, swords, battle-axes, slings, shields, and a tunic of quilted cotton, were among their weapons of war. Spears and arrows were tipped with copper, or bone. At least, such were the contents of the arsenals of warring Indians of later ages.

All manner of Work. Stone mortars, implements for boring, daggers, arrowheads, beads of shell and bear's teeth, are a few of the curios found in North American shell heaps and mounds. Central and South American ruins have, as is well known, yielded thousands of specimens of the products of ancient American civilizations.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

References