Copper spider earspool, Gentleman Farm site, LaSalle County.
Some archaeologists believe ancient people slit the lower lobe of their ear to attach an earspool. The spider symbol seen here is similar to those engraved on shell gorgets as described above.

Ancient beliefs are difficult to reconstruct. Many persons around the world believe that spirits are everywhere, in plants and animals, in the sky and earth, and in their tools and homes. This belief was common in traditional Native American society, though it was not the only belief. Historically, Native Americans made objects that symbolized spirits or particular beliefs. Similar objects have been found at ancient Native American sites. At the Morton site, for example, Protohistoric people engraved a spider on a marine shell gorget. Archaeologists search for the meaning of these ancient symbols by comparing them to oral traditions, written records of beliefs, and similar objects of more recent Indian groups.