A rare title of Warren K. Moorehead and Charles Peabody. This is an in depth study of the possible uses of the artifact based on use analysis and just about everything that had been postulated on possible uses has been addressed..  In Moorehead's own words concerning this type of artifact:

The present article deals with a type of specimens common in the United States of America and rare elsewhere to which the name "Gorget" has been applied. This occurred either from an assumed use of the stone as a throat-ornament or from some fancied resemblance in appearance between occasional members of the " gorget" class and the bit of neck armor that went or goes by the name. In either case the name is unfortunate;the specimens are in but few instances suitable for a neck-decoration or to be strung on necklaces, and many of them do not resemble the piece of armor referred to.
This monograph deals with the specimens that may be classed under the heading "gorgets" with the exception, however, of the so-called "gorgets" of shell with conventional or conventionalized decorations that are characteristic of Tennessee and the adjoining states. Their uses and meaning require a separate treatise, and their comparison with similar or dissimilar designs from Mexico demands a specialist in the history of art and in the archaeology of Southern North America. In a note are given a few references to articles on "gorgets " of this class.

This 6-1/2" x 9-1/2", soft cover, facsimile reprint contains 135 pages including the19 full page plates.  $14.95  

Sample  Plates - click on image to enlarge