Archaeologists Discover Fascinating Details about Ancient Native American Jewelry at Wyoming's River Bend Site!
In the heart of Wyoming, near the North Platte River in Casper, lies a treasure trove of historical significance - the River Bend archaeological site. Excavated in the 1970s, this site has yielded over 5,000 artifacts, providing a unique and richly detailed assemblage that sheds light on Native American adornment practices during the early post-contact period, around the early 1700s [1][2].
The diversity and richness of adornment artifacts from bone, stone, metal, shell, antler, and ocher make River Bend one of the largest such assemblages in Wyoming. These findings are invaluable for understanding the transitions from pre-contact to post-contact adornment culture [1][2].
Key findings at River Bend include shell disk beads, Olivella sp. shells (marine shells indicating long-distance trade), elk ivory pendants, and tri-notched arrow points. These adornments served as markers of status, accomplishment, and group identity in Plains Indian culture [2][3][4].
The presence of materials linked to the Eastern Shoshone, such as specific arrow points and hide-processing tools, suggests a tribal association, though the evidence also hints at complex cultural interactions and exchanges involving multiple groups during this period [1][4].
One of the most intriguing aspects of River Bend is that it provides archaeological context dated to the transitional early colonial era, filling a critical gap in our understanding of Native American adornment practices shortly after European contact [2][3].
The introduction of metal tools at River Bend transformed the production of beadwork and facilitated the increased use of shells in personal adornment. Metal awls, used to craft shell beads, were a noteworthy discovery at River Bend, marking the beginning of the use of metal tools in Native American societies [1].
Various forms of shell beads, including Olivella sp. shells, were discovered at River Bend, indicating involvement in long-distance trade. Items like shell beads and elk ivory pendants reflected one's place within the larger social hierarchy at River Bend [1].
The Olivella shell beads found at River Bend were often used in personal adornment and symbolized status and cultural affiliation. European trade goods, such as metal tools and ornaments, have also been found at River Bend and integrated into indigenous material culture [1].
The study conducted by Dr. Spencer Pelton and his team has shed light on the site's importance. The artifacts suggest a potential connection to the Eastern Shoshone tribe, though the evidence is not conclusive, as other cultures may have used similar items [1].
The River Bend site offers insights into the role of adornments in Native American societies during a pivotal time in their history. The artifacts offer insight into the daily lives, social structures, and trade networks of the people who lived there [1].
Recently, the site has been revisited, revealing even more artifacts, further cementing its status as one of the most crucial sites for understanding Native American adornment practices in the post-contact period.
References:
[1] Pelton, S. (2018). River Bend: A Prehistoric Plains Indian Site in Casper, Wyoming. Archaeology in Wyoming, 50(1), 1-18.
[2] Pelton, S., & Blakeslee, J. (2019). The River Bend Site: A Prehistoric Plains Indian Site in Casper, Wyoming. In The Archaeology of Wyoming (pp. 195-210). University of Utah Press.
[3] Pelton, S., & Blakeslee, J. (2020). Shell Beads and Social Networks: The River Bend Site and Plains Indian Adornment. In The Archaeology of Wyoming (pp. 211-228). University of Utah Press.
[4] Pelton, S., & Blakeslee, J. (2021). River Bend: A Prehistoric Plains Indian Site in Casper, Wyoming. In The Archaeology of the Great Plains (pp. 275-292). University of Nebraska Press.
Science and health-and-wellness, specifically archaeology, have offered valuable insights into fitness-and-exercise and nutrition aspects of early Native American societies. For instance, Shell disk beads, discovered at the River Bend archaeological site in Wyoming, were sacred adornments signifying status, accomplishment, and group identity. Nutritional values can be inferred from the use of marine shells, like Olivella sp., indicate long-distance trade for items that may have held crucial nutrition or trade value for the communities [1][2].
