In our work we have handled literally hundreds of the pipes,Plate 13A, called “Powhatan Original” in the Company’s literature and advertising. These had been excavated both from the factory grounds and from the basement of the old Thornton Store, and we found nothing about these two lots of pipes that would seem to distinguish the two manufacturing sources. Of the total, only one single pipe failed to carry the word “Original” impressed in the base.
This “Original” was an early Home Industry form, and there is strong evidence that when the Company came to Pamplin they adopted this form, and added “Powhatan” in their advertising, just as they must have adopted some other local pipe forms. “Original” was also impressed, but probably at a still later date, on the base of three other pipe forms; they were forms “B”, “M”, and “AC”.
We also believe that the Company made the best estimate as to the starting date of the home pipemaking industry, (they would have had about a hundred year advantage in arriving at such a date, as compared to the problem under present circumstances), and applied that date to Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Company as having been “established 1739”. In other words, they pictured themselves as being a continuation of the industry that was already there.
If the date of 1878, or one near that time, for the establishment of the Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Co. is correct, then this is later than the terminal date of some of the western forts and trading posts at which Pamplin pipes have been reported. It would therefore seem evident that the Pamplin pipes found in some western locations were the result of Home Industry, made before the pipe plant ever got to Pamplin. This is authenticated by the fact that they were being carried by theBertrand.
It would seem desirable, instead of considering these pipes as Pamplin Company products, to simply think of them as Pamplin Area Pipes.
Plate 1. Tools of the Home Pipemaking Industry. Drawing, Edward F. Heite, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
Plate 1. Tools of the Home Pipemaking Industry. Drawing, Edward F. Heite, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
Plate 2. Pamplin Pipe, from the Bertrand, sunk in the Missouri River, April 1, 1865. Photos, Ronald R. Switzer, Bertrand Conservation Laboratory, National Park Service.
Plate 2. Pamplin Pipe, from the Bertrand, sunk in the Missouri River, April 1, 1865. Photos, Ronald R. Switzer, Bertrand Conservation Laboratory, National Park Service.
Plate 3. Stencils on Box of Pamplin Pipes retrieved from the Bertrand. The box top carried the name and address of the Consignee. One end evidently identified the shipment. The Consignor was identified on one end and on both sides of the box. Copies, Ronald R. Switzer, Bertrand Conservation Laboratory, National Park Service.
Plate 3. Stencils on Box of Pamplin Pipes retrieved from the Bertrand. The box top carried the name and address of the Consignee. One end evidently identified the shipment. The Consignor was identified on one end and on both sides of the box. Copies, Ronald R. Switzer, Bertrand Conservation Laboratory, National Park Service.
Plate 4. The Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Company, Inc., March 1965. Photo, Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Plate 4. The Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Company, Inc., March 1965. Photo, Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Plate 5. Kiln of the Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Company, Inc., March 1965. The kiln had a capacity of 200,000 pipes at a single burning. Photo, Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Plate 5. Kiln of the Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Company, Inc., March 1965. The kiln had a capacity of 200,000 pipes at a single burning. Photo, Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Plate 6. Pipe Molding Machine from the Pamplin Factory. Photos, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
Plate 6. Pipe Molding Machine from the Pamplin Factory. Photos, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
The machine.
The machine.
Detail of mold.
Detail of mold.
Plate 7. Saggers Used by the Pamplin Factory. Dimensions of the larger sagger,—overall height 6″, overall width, 10¼ to 10½″, wall thickness ⅞ to 1″. Dark Brown glaze, mottled. Photos and description, Edward A Chappell, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
Plate 7. Saggers Used by the Pamplin Factory. Dimensions of the larger sagger,—overall height 6″, overall width, 10¼ to 10½″, wall thickness ⅞ to 1″. Dark Brown glaze, mottled. Photos and description, Edward A Chappell, Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
Plate 8. Brochure, Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Co., Inc., 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
Plate 8. Brochure, Pamplin Smoking Pipe and Manufacturing Co., Inc., 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
This is the largest plant in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of Indian stone clay pipes.Our plant has a capacity of 25,000 pipes per day; our kiln has a capacity of 200,000 pipes at a single burning.From careful search of the records, this factory started more than 200 years ago. The present plant has been in operation for 44 years. Skilled American labor is used in a modern, day-lit plant with special attention to cleanliness, sanitation and ideal conditions.The buying trend is toward Indian clay and stone pipes. Tourists and visitors to your locality are buying them as gifts, souvenirs and for personal use. Every true American wants a genuine Indian pipe—and can buy one, for little more than the cost of a can of smoking tobacco.Order your assortment today. Display them well and they will sell quickly. Pamplin Indian Pipes give you a profit unheard of in the tobacco trade.PAMPLIN SMOKING PIPE AND MANUFACTURING CO., Inc.Established 1739Manufacturers of All Styles ofStone and Powhatan Clay Pipes and Reed StemsPAMPLIN, VIRGINIA, U. S. A.Printed in U. S. A.
This is the largest plant in the world devoted exclusively to the manufacture of Indian stone clay pipes.Our plant has a capacity of 25,000 pipes per day; our kiln has a capacity of 200,000 pipes at a single burning.
From careful search of the records, this factory started more than 200 years ago. The present plant has been in operation for 44 years. Skilled American labor is used in a modern, day-lit plant with special attention to cleanliness, sanitation and ideal conditions.
The buying trend is toward Indian clay and stone pipes. Tourists and visitors to your locality are buying them as gifts, souvenirs and for personal use. Every true American wants a genuine Indian pipe—and can buy one, for little more than the cost of a can of smoking tobacco.
Order your assortment today. Display them well and they will sell quickly. Pamplin Indian Pipes give you a profit unheard of in the tobacco trade.
PAMPLIN SMOKING PIPE AND MANUFACTURING CO., Inc.Established 1739Manufacturers of All Styles ofStone and Powhatan Clay Pipes and Reed StemsPAMPLIN, VIRGINIA, U. S. A.
Printed in U. S. A.
Hand-Made “Powhatan”PowhatanINDIAN CLAY PIPESMILDmellowSWEETPURE50¢WITHTwoSTEMSBe A Modern Indian Chief!Smoke the Genuine“Powhatan” pipeMADE IN VIRGINIA BY NATIVES OF VIRGINIAThis handsome display card, in five colors, given with each order for five dozen “Powhatan” Hand-Made Pipes, makes selling easy. Order yours.
Hand-Made “Powhatan”
PowhatanINDIAN CLAY PIPES
MILDmellowSWEETPURE50¢WITHTwoSTEMS
MILD
mellow
SWEET
PURE
50¢WITHTwoSTEMS
Be A Modern Indian Chief!Smoke the Genuine“Powhatan” pipeMADE IN VIRGINIA BY NATIVES OF VIRGINIA
This handsome display card, in five colors, given with each order for five dozen “Powhatan” Hand-Made Pipes, makes selling easy. Order yours.
Plate 9. The “Original” Powhatan and other Pamplin Pipe forms. Brochure, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallenstein.
Plate 9. The “Original” Powhatan and other Pamplin Pipe forms. Brochure, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallenstein.
The POWHATAN, the original Indian hand-made Pipe, sells on sight, pays Big Profit!
“POWOW” SMOOTH SHAKER“WIGWAM” SHAKERORIGINAL “POWHATAN” HAND-MADE“AKRON” SHAKER“OLE VIRGINNY” SHAKERTHESE ARE THE MOST POPULAR STYLES OF PAMPLIN INDIAN PIPES All (except “Powhatan”) are available in both Shaker (Stone) and Hamburg (Clay).The Original Powhatan PipeThe original Powhatan Indian hand-made Pipe has the distinction of being the exact reproduction of the real pipe made and smoked by the Red Men in pre-colonial days.Pipe smoking was introduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh who had seen the Indians smoking. With the start of tobacco cultivation in Virginia, the Powhatan Pipe became generally used in England and in all of the American colonies.A host of that day took great pride in offering his guests tobacco grown on his own plantation, in a Powhatan Indian hand-made Pipe.An Authentic American TreasureThe natives who have been making Powhatan Pipes for centuries are rapidly disappearing. Their children seem unwilling to do the necessary primitive and tedious work. Manual clay pipe-making, probably America’s oldest industry, will soon be only a tradition.Today the Powhatan Pipe is more than a source of peaceful, contented smoking enjoyment. It is a collector’s prize, an authentic American treasure. In a few years it will be generally unobtainable.This company is the world’s sole producer of genuine Indian pipes. Since 1739 it has preserved this historic industry. Its clay deposit in Appomattox County, Virginia, holds the only clay discovered as ideal for Indian pipes. The trade-mark and name, “Original Powhatan Indian Pipe,” is its exclusive property.Yet the famous Powhatan Pipe is very low in price, as for many years past, giving the consumer a splendid value, and the jobber and retailer a profit unheard of in the tobacco trade.
“POWOW” SMOOTH SHAKER“WIGWAM” SHAKERORIGINAL “POWHATAN” HAND-MADE“AKRON” SHAKER“OLE VIRGINNY” SHAKER
THESE ARE THE MOST POPULAR STYLES OF PAMPLIN INDIAN PIPES All (except “Powhatan”) are available in both Shaker (Stone) and Hamburg (Clay).
The Original Powhatan Pipe
The original Powhatan Indian hand-made Pipe has the distinction of being the exact reproduction of the real pipe made and smoked by the Red Men in pre-colonial days.
Pipe smoking was introduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh who had seen the Indians smoking. With the start of tobacco cultivation in Virginia, the Powhatan Pipe became generally used in England and in all of the American colonies.
A host of that day took great pride in offering his guests tobacco grown on his own plantation, in a Powhatan Indian hand-made Pipe.
An Authentic American Treasure
The natives who have been making Powhatan Pipes for centuries are rapidly disappearing. Their children seem unwilling to do the necessary primitive and tedious work. Manual clay pipe-making, probably America’s oldest industry, will soon be only a tradition.
Today the Powhatan Pipe is more than a source of peaceful, contented smoking enjoyment. It is a collector’s prize, an authentic American treasure. In a few years it will be generally unobtainable.
This company is the world’s sole producer of genuine Indian pipes. Since 1739 it has preserved this historic industry. Its clay deposit in Appomattox County, Virginia, holds the only clay discovered as ideal for Indian pipes. The trade-mark and name, “Original Powhatan Indian Pipe,” is its exclusive property.
Yet the famous Powhatan Pipe is very low in price, as for many years past, giving the consumer a splendid value, and the jobber and retailer a profit unheard of in the tobacco trade.
Plate 10. Price list of Pamplin Company Pipe Forms. Brochure, November 15, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallenstein.
Plate 10. Price list of Pamplin Company Pipe Forms. Brochure, November 15, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallenstein.
PRICE LIST(EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 1941)[See Page 6 for Jobber’s Discounts]POWHATAN HAND-MADE PIPESIndividually packaged in attractive rustic container, Historical Booklet, instruction tag, and two 10″ reed stems—one curved, one straight, ready for mailing.Gross$48.00Minimum order ¼ GrossRetails for from 50¢ to $1.00Buy Pipes Made in America—For American Smokers!POWHATAN COUNTER DISPLAYTwelve Powhatan Pipes, each with Historical Booklet, instruction tag, and extra 10″ straight stem included.DOZEN TO DISPLAY CARDGross$48.00Minimum order ¼ Gross.(Display card illustrated on Page 3 of this Catalog.)Page 10Powhatan Machine-MadeMachine-made Powhatan, fitted with cork closures and 10″ reed stems, bowls trade-marked. Packed 50 to the box with stems. 25¢ Retailer. Price, $4.00 per box.Akron ShakerMachine moulded from fire clay, hard-burned and glazed; a stone pipe fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to a box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.Powow ShakerStone pipe, smooth finish, glazed, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to a box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.Ole Virginny ShakerHeavier stone pipe, attractive finish, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.Wigwam Shaker.Real character distinguishes this attractive stone pipe, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.Shaker Assortment.An assortment of 25 each of the four above described stone pipes, 100 pipes, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.50 per box.Stems can be furnished straight or bent. Additional Stems and Stems Extra Length Can Be Supplied at Slight Extra Cost.Send Money Order or Check with Order to Save Time.Terms: 20% Cash With Order. Net 30 Days.Page 11Akron Hamburg(Similar to Akron Shaker)Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned, attractive red color. Also made in white. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.50 per box.Powow Hamburg(Similar to Powow Shaker)Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned, an attractive small bowl. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.50 per box.Ole Virginny Hamburg(Similar to Ole Virginny Shaker)Machine-made from finest fire-clay, hard-burned, white, simulates meerschaum, one of the most popular shapes. Also made in red. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.70 per box.Wigwam Hamburg(Similar to Wigwam Shaker)Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned. Choice of red or white. Shape appeals to young and old. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.70 per box.Hamburg AssortmentAn assortment of 25 each of the four above described clay pipes, 100 pipes, fitted with 5″ reed stems. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $2.85 per box.Stems can be furnished straight or bent. Additional Stems and Stems Extra Length Can Be Supplied at Slight Extra Cost.Send Money Order or Check with Order to Save Time.Terms: 20% Cash With Order. Net 30 Days.Page 12
PRICE LIST(EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 1941)[See Page 6 for Jobber’s Discounts]
POWHATAN HAND-MADE PIPES
Individually packaged in attractive rustic container, Historical Booklet, instruction tag, and two 10″ reed stems—one curved, one straight, ready for mailing.
Gross$48.00Minimum order ¼ GrossRetails for from 50¢ to $1.00
Buy Pipes Made in America—For American Smokers!
POWHATAN COUNTER DISPLAY
Twelve Powhatan Pipes, each with Historical Booklet, instruction tag, and extra 10″ straight stem included.
DOZEN TO DISPLAY CARDGross$48.00Minimum order ¼ Gross.
(Display card illustrated on Page 3 of this Catalog.)
Page 10
Powhatan Machine-Made
Machine-made Powhatan, fitted with cork closures and 10″ reed stems, bowls trade-marked. Packed 50 to the box with stems. 25¢ Retailer. Price, $4.00 per box.
Akron Shaker
Machine moulded from fire clay, hard-burned and glazed; a stone pipe fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to a box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.
Powow Shaker
Stone pipe, smooth finish, glazed, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to a box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.
Ole Virginny Shaker
Heavier stone pipe, attractive finish, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.
Wigwam Shaker.
Real character distinguishes this attractive stone pipe, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.00 per box.
Shaker Assortment.
An assortment of 25 each of the four above described stone pipes, 100 pipes, fitted with 5″ reed stem. Packed 100 to box. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $3.50 per box.
Stems can be furnished straight or bent. Additional Stems and Stems Extra Length Can Be Supplied at Slight Extra Cost.
Send Money Order or Check with Order to Save Time.
Terms: 20% Cash With Order. Net 30 Days.
Page 11
Akron Hamburg(Similar to Akron Shaker)
Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned, attractive red color. Also made in white. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.50 per box.
Powow Hamburg(Similar to Powow Shaker)
Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned, an attractive small bowl. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.50 per box.
Ole Virginny Hamburg(Similar to Ole Virginny Shaker)
Machine-made from finest fire-clay, hard-burned, white, simulates meerschaum, one of the most popular shapes. Also made in red. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.70 per box.
Wigwam Hamburg(Similar to Wigwam Shaker)
Machine-made from Virginia Clay, hard-burned. Choice of red or white. Shape appeals to young and old. Packed 100 to box with 5″ reed stems. 10¢ Retailer. Price, $2.70 per box.
Hamburg Assortment
An assortment of 25 each of the four above described clay pipes, 100 pipes, fitted with 5″ reed stems. Packed 100 to box with stems. 15¢ Retailer. Price, $2.85 per box.
Stems can be furnished straight or bent. Additional Stems and Stems Extra Length Can Be Supplied at Slight Extra Cost.
Send Money Order or Check with Order to Save Time.
Terms: 20% Cash With Order. Net 30 Days.
Page 12
Plate 11. “Tomahawk Pipe”—A Real Novelty, and Jobber’s Discounts. Brochure, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
Plate 11. “Tomahawk Pipe”—A Real Novelty, and Jobber’s Discounts. Brochure, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
The Tomahawk Pipe—A Real NoveltyMoulded from hand-engraved brass die, of finest quality fire clay, hard-burned and glazed. An attractive item for carnivals, conventions, fairs, club meetings, etc. Packed 200 to box, with 5″ reed stems. Price,$13.50 per box.To the TradeJOBBER’S DISCOUNTSApply ONLY When Whole Order Is Shipped At SAME Time10 to 20 Boxes20%21 to 40 Boxes25%41 to 100 Boxes30%101 to 500 Boxes35%In addition to the 10 styles of Indian Pipes illustrated and quoted in this folder, we make many other styles of Indian Clay and Stone Pipes. Orders for additional designs—for Advertising, Souvenirs, Gifts, Tourists, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Special Purposes—are solicited. We can make any style of pipe that can be made from either Virginia Red Clay or Fire Clay. Our own designers and artists are at your service.We invite your inquiries.Samples will be mailed promptly to rated firms.(Note: If you have a friend to whom you would like for us to send one of these folders, please write. It will be sent promptly.)
The Tomahawk Pipe—A Real Novelty
Moulded from hand-engraved brass die, of finest quality fire clay, hard-burned and glazed. An attractive item for carnivals, conventions, fairs, club meetings, etc. Packed 200 to box, with 5″ reed stems. Price,$13.50 per box.
To the Trade
In addition to the 10 styles of Indian Pipes illustrated and quoted in this folder, we make many other styles of Indian Clay and Stone Pipes. Orders for additional designs—for Advertising, Souvenirs, Gifts, Tourists, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Special Purposes—are solicited. We can make any style of pipe that can be made from either Virginia Red Clay or Fire Clay. Our own designers and artists are at your service.We invite your inquiries.Samples will be mailed promptly to rated firms.
(Note: If you have a friend to whom you would like for us to send one of these folders, please write. It will be sent promptly.)
Plate 12. Sales Tag, carried by the “Original” Powhatan Pipe, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
Plate 12. Sales Tag, carried by the “Original” Powhatan Pipe, 1941. Copy, Morton L. Wallerstein.
This Is An“Original”Powhatan PipeMade entirely by hand in a primitive way, from hand-carved moulds several centuries old, by natives in Appomattox County, Va. Succeeding generations, dating back to the earliest days of America, have practiced the ancient art of making these Indian pipes by hand. The slow, tedious work, requiring innate skill, is not attractive to the moderns. This art is rapidly disappearing. Soon the genuine Powhatan Pipe will be generally unobtainable. This Pipe, therefore, will become a rare and cherished antique and keepsake.This Powhatan Pipe is an original, made exactly like those the Indians used prior to the coming of the white man to America, and as smoked in the early colonies and in England following Sir Walter Raleigh’s introduction of tobacco into that country. The clay is porous and the old Virginia reed stem also absorbs the nicotine. To clean the pipe according to the old Virginia method, remove the stem and place the bowl into the fire-place. This will burn out the absorbed nicotine without in any way harming the pipe. New stems may be obtained from your tobacconist.PAMPLIN INDIAN PIPE CO.,Pamplin, Va., U. S. A.
This Is An“Original”Powhatan Pipe
Made entirely by hand in a primitive way, from hand-carved moulds several centuries old, by natives in Appomattox County, Va. Succeeding generations, dating back to the earliest days of America, have practiced the ancient art of making these Indian pipes by hand. The slow, tedious work, requiring innate skill, is not attractive to the moderns. This art is rapidly disappearing. Soon the genuine Powhatan Pipe will be generally unobtainable. This Pipe, therefore, will become a rare and cherished antique and keepsake.
This Powhatan Pipe is an original, made exactly like those the Indians used prior to the coming of the white man to America, and as smoked in the early colonies and in England following Sir Walter Raleigh’s introduction of tobacco into that country. The clay is porous and the old Virginia reed stem also absorbs the nicotine. To clean the pipe according to the old Virginia method, remove the stem and place the bowl into the fire-place. This will burn out the absorbed nicotine without in any way harming the pipe. New stems may be obtained from your tobacconist.
PAMPLIN INDIAN PIPE CO.,Pamplin, Va., U. S. A.
Plate 13. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 13. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 14. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 14. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 15. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 15. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 16. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 16. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 17. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 17. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 18. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 18. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 19. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 19. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 20. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 20. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 21. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 21. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 22. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 22. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 23. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
Plate 23. Pamplin Area Pipe Forms.
byPatricia J. O’Brien and Kevin Hart
The Utlaut site (23SA162W) is located on the floodplain of the Missouri River about one mile west of Malta Bend, Saline County, Missouri and approximately two miles northwest of the junction of Highway 65 and 127.
The site is situated on land owned by Oscar John of Sweet Springs, Missouri and was farmed by Ryland Utlaut of Grand Pass. Both kindly allowed us to excavate there. We were directed to the site by J. M. “Buster” Crick of Corder, Missouri, a local collector who had been finding ceramics which looked “Mississippian.” His aid was invaluable, for without it this work could not have been done.
Scattered occupational debris was found covering an area ca. 100 feet in diameter around our test, but the major materials recovered, in six burials, seem not to be related to the surface debris. Those materials will be reported in a later paper dealing with site 23SA162, the Cole Lake Sand Ridge site.
As mentioned, the Utlaut site is situated on the floodplain of the river. The area, though, is in reality an old beach of the Missouri, formed when the river swung south of its present course and came near Grand Pass. Because the soil was almost pure sand, all of it was screened.
The initial test was an east-west trench comprising five alternating squares (Fig. 2). Burial materials were found between stakes 35W and 55W north and south of the 0 line (Fig. 2). Remains of five burials were recovered. While a few bones were treated as a separate burial in the field (Burial 5), they were found to be related to Burial 2 on completion of the analysis. The bones in burials 1 through 5 were in very poor condition, and because of cultivation many are missing.
The osteological analysis of the skeletal remains found inAppendix Iis by the junior author and Clark Larsen. The descriptions to follow will focus on the cultural nature of the burials.
Burial 1.This is an adult male. The body was extended and oriented on a northeast-southwest axis with the head northeast. Although a vessel was found in the same square as the burial, it is thought that it belongs to Burial 4. One projectile point was found just east of the neck. Due north by about one foot was a biface chopper/scraper. These artifacts may be associated with this burial (Figs.2and3).
Figure 1. Floodplain of the Missouri River with locations of 23SA4 Gumbo Point site, 23SA162W Utlaut site, and 23SA162 Cole Lake Sand Ridge site.
Figure 1. Floodplain of the Missouri River with locations of 23SA4 Gumbo Point site, 23SA162W Utlaut site, and 23SA162 Cole Lake Sand Ridge site.
Figure 2. Test excavations at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W, with Detail “A” showing the burials.
Figure 2. Test excavations at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W, with Detail “A” showing the burials.
Figure 3. Burial 1, 23SA162W. View is toward northeast.
Figure 3. Burial 1, 23SA162W. View is toward northeast.
The projectile point is triangular, of tan-cream chert and is 3.1 cm. long, 1.44 cm. wide and 0.25 cm. thick (Fig. 4a). It is a typical Mississippian/Oneota point. The biface was cream colored with cortex present. There is a scraper edge on the long axis on one side (Fig. 4b). It is 14.0 cm. long, 9.9 cm. wide, and 3.1 cm. thick.
One of the most interesting aspects of this 35+ year old male burial is the possible “trophy” skeletal materials placed on the knee area. Remains of three persons and possibly a fourth were found in a fragmentary condition, and while some of the long bones were intact, the cranial remains present were shattered. Two explanations seem most obvious: (1) the remains are the result of some type of human sacrifice, or (2) they are secondary burial of remains disturbed from their original location. These ideas will be more fully explored later in the paper.
Burial 2.The skeletal material recovered from this burial was very fragmentary and the actual number of individuals involved could be three rather than the two suggested in the anatomical analysis. No complete skeleton was found, rather a series of jumbled long bones with the femur head facing southwest (Figs.2and5), suggesting an extended burial on a northeast-southwest axis. At the knee area was found a skull which showed evidence of burning. This data, even more than that of Burial 1, suggests “human sacrifice” or some such exotic behavior. Because some of the long bones were burnt too, it is possible the firing occurred as a part of the burial ritual. At the northeastern end of the burial was found a child’s skull; its relationship to the adult is unclear at this time.
Also associated with Burial 2 was a ceramic vessel and a fresh water mollusc spoon (Fig. 6a-b). The spoon was very fragile and crumbled on cleaning. The vessel was a small globular jar with an everted rim and two strap handles. On the shoulder of the vessel below the handles were incised double nestled chevrons, while two single incised lines ran vertically from neck to base between the handles (Fig. 6a). The handles had double incised lines on them. The vessel was shell tempered with a slight scalloping of the lip. It was 7.63 cm. high, the orifice was 6.27 and 6.07 cm. in diameter, while the shoulder was 9.95 and 9.5 cm. in diameter. The vessel seems to be a typical Oneota form.
Burial 3.This burial was extended with head to the northeast and body on a northeast-southwest axis (Fig. 7). It was a child’s, and the only grave goods associated with it was a chert scraper (Fig. 4c). It was found south of the pelvic area. It is cream chert, is 3.39 cm. long, 1.78 cm. wide and 0.6 cm. thick. Anterioral and posterioral flattening of the frontal and occipital region is marked on this individual’s skull.
Burial 4.The burial when found was highly fragmentary; the legs are all that remain. No artifacts were found with it. Alignment of the legs indicates that the head was to the northeast and the body was on a northeast-southwest axis. However, in the process of analyzing these data it was discovered that by projecting the former location of the missing head and torso, this burial seems to be associated with the isolated pot from square 0-40W. As figures2and8show, the vessel would have been placed beside the left shoulder.
Figure 4. Artifacts recovered from the Utlaut site, 23SA162W: a. triangular un-notched projectile point, Burial 1; b. Biface chopper/scraper, Burial 1; c. scraper, Burial 3.
Figure 4. Artifacts recovered from the Utlaut site, 23SA162W: a. triangular un-notched projectile point, Burial 1; b. Biface chopper/scraper, Burial 1; c. scraper, Burial 3.
Figure 5. Burial 2, 235A162W. View is toward northeast.
Figure 5. Burial 2, 235A162W. View is toward northeast.
Figure 6. Top and side views of vessels recovered at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W: a-b Burial 2; c-d Burial 4.
Figure 6. Top and side views of vessels recovered at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W: a-b Burial 2; c-d Burial 4.
Figure 7. Burial 3, 23SA162W. View is toward the south. Burial 4 is to the left.
Figure 7. Burial 3, 23SA162W. View is toward the south. Burial 4 is to the left.
This oval-shaped vessel has 14 rows of punctations running around the whole surface. There are two strap handles each with two incised lines placed vertical to the rim (Fig. 6c-d). The rim has been damaged by the plow. Orifice size is 8.21 cm. at the handles and 7.7 cm. between them. It is 12.36 by 13.2 cm. at the shoulder and 8.15 cm. high (incomplete).
Vessels with similar extensive all-over punctation are reported from the Lower Mississippi River Valley and called Parkin Punctated (Phillips, Ford and Griffin 1951:Fig. 94). But a vessel with extensive punctation over the upper two-thirds of it, with some zoned punctates in parallel lines below the handles, has been reported from Gumbo Point (23SA4), an historic Missouri site about a mile and a quarter to the northeast (Chapman 1959:Fig. 36).
Henning (1970) does not report such a design from the Utz site nor other nearby Oneota sites. This tempts one to suggest the vessel has stronger affinities to the historic Missouri than to the Oneota component nearby.
Burial 5.These highly fragmentary remains probably belong with the child in Burial 2. They were found in the northeast corner of square 5N-50W which is just north of the area of the child’s skull in Burial 2.
Burial 6.This individual was interred in a different pattern from the others. It was semi-flexed with the head and shoulders slumped forward and down as if the burial pit was not large enough to hold him (Figs.2and9). Rodents had run through the chest area and gnawed some of the bone.
Grave goods consisted of a whole vessel and glass trade beads. The vessel, which was at his knee, was a globular jar having two strap handles with four incised lines running vertically from the rim, and double nestled chevrons below them. The chevron was filled with narrow-line, incised punctates (Fig. 10a-b). The rim was damaged. The vessel is 10.5 by 11.7 cm. at the orifice, 16.3 by 18.0 cm. at the shoulder and 12.8 cm. high, making it slightly oval in shape.
Two kinds of beads were found. One was a “seed” beadca.0.18 cm. in diameter with a 0.05 cm. hole. There were 202 of these found in the sand around the head and shoulders. They may have been in the hair. All were turquoise in color. The second kind included three larger specimens—two turquoise blue and one black. The blue were 0.66 x 0.84 cm., 0.8 x 0.75 cm. and 0.82 x 0.63 cm. in diameter and length. The first had a 0.2 cm. hole and the others 0.18 cm. The black was 0.58 x 0.58 cm. with a 0.12 cm. hole. These beads were found in the area of the left wrist.
These materials are historic trade goods, and are not significantly different from those at Gumbo Point (Chapman 1959) or at the Utz site (Robert T. Bray, personal communication). Although these materials could be the result of English or even American trading activities, it is thought they are French, for the following reasons.
Figure 8. Burial 4 23SA162W. View is toward the southwest. The skull of Burial 3 is in the right hand corner.
Figure 8. Burial 4 23SA162W. View is toward the southwest. The skull of Burial 3 is in the right hand corner.
Figure 9. View of Burial 6, 23SA162W. View is toward the north.
Figure 9. View of Burial 6, 23SA162W. View is toward the north.
Figure 10. Top and side view of vessel recovered with Burial 6 at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W.
Figure 10. Top and side view of vessel recovered with Burial 6 at the Utlaut site, 23SA162W.
It is probable that this individual was a member of the Gumbo Point late Missouri village which may date 1727-1777 A.D. (Chapman 1959:63). This village was very near Fort Orleans which dates 1723-1728 A.D. (Bray 1961a:216-219). At the same time, this burial is associated with others which have no trade goods and apparently are completely prehistoric. Therefore, one could argue that the body was interred at the time of the proto-historic-historic boundary for that village. That boundary would be about 1727 A.D. if Chapman’s (1959:2) assumed dating of the beginning of the village following the abandonment of the Utz site is correct.
However, it could be argued that Burial 6 had nothing to do with the Oneota burials with it, and that the body could date as late as 1777 A.D. But for that to be so, we would have to assume it was just chance that of the several old beaches in that field this Indian was placed right in an earlier burial area. Rather, it seems more reasonable to have the cemetery area known and indeed the burials marked, so that the interment could take place without disturbing them.
Whether the Missouri Indians marked their graves cannot be stated, as no data on their mortuary practices are known. We do know that the Winnebago placed a post at the head of a grave (Radin 1923:144), and as the Missouri and Winnebago are both Chiwere Sioux, it is possible that this is an old shared trait. If this is so, and if the 1727 A.D. dating is correct, the trade goods are probably French as they were extremely active in this area at this early date.
Two separate, but related, cultural components are present at the site: Oneota and historic Missouri. Burials 1 through 4 were originally supine extended interments, although they have suffered much from plowing, and their associated artifacts indicate a general Oneota affiliation. Burial 4 with its punctated vessel though is probably late, bordering on the late proto-historic-historic Missouri line. Burial 6, with its glass trade beads, is historic, and since the Gumbo Point site (23SA4), a historic Missouri village dating around 1727-1777 A.D., is only one and a quarter miles to the northeast of the Utlaut site, the burial is probably an Indian of that village.
The following data on Oneota burial practices can be extracted from these data. Individuals are buried in a supine extended position on a northeast-southwest axis. In three cases, Burials 1, 3 and 4, the head is to the northeast; in one, Burial 2, it is southwest. Grave goods of pots, projectile point, shell spoon or scraper were present but seemingly not very diagnostic of social position, although the pots may be associated only with children here (Burials 2 and 4). Also, unless one assumes everyone was buried at the same time, it seems that the graves were marked so people could be interred over a period of time withoutdisturbing early graves, and so they could be aligned with each other.
Two adults seem to have “trophy” skeletal materials with them: a skull on the knees of Burial 2 (burnt) and many fragments of three and possibly four people on the lower legs of Burial 1. Bray (1961b:17-19) reports a “trophy head” with an Orr focus Oneota burial at the Flynn site, and glass trade beads with it point to this being an historic Ioway trait. Because there is no historic data on Missouri Indian burial practices, it is not possible now to tell if the trait is associated with them nor just what it may mean.
One could explain the skeletal remains, especially those with Burial 1 as secondary interments of graves which were somehow disturbed. In which case the term “trophy” would be inappropriate and misleading. This possibility is found in the fact that the Winnebago had two burial patterns: inhumation and platform associated with the phratry divisions of the culture, although the latter practice died out in historic times (Radin 1923:140). Since the Missouri are related to the Winnebago it is possible that these materials are inhumed platform burials.
However, the presence of single skulls with Burial 2, burnt too, and with an Ioway at the Flynn site cannot be explained that easily. The skull on the knees of Burial 2 was burnt at the time of interment as the knee area was also burned. Then too, if one was collecting platform burial remains to be inhumed, more than just the skulls would be lying about to be collected. Again if we look at the Winnebago we get some interesting data. In a discussion of grave-post markings, Radin (1923:155) points out that a warrior who had killed a man and cut off his head received a special grave-post signifying the deed. Unfortunately, he does not tell us if the head was buried with him.
As can be seen by the above discussion, there are data to support both interpretations, and indeed, maybe these burials in fact are the result of both sets of behavior rather than only one set.
A comparison of the Utlaut site Oneota burials with other Oneota burial data follows. From the Leary site in Nebraska Wedel reports (1935:25-26) two types of interments: (1) supine burials with beads to the north (3), east (3) or south (2). Associated with them are knives, hematite and a bison hoe as grave goods. (2) Bundled or jumbled bones within a pit and probably removed from scaffolds. Bass reports (1961) a body without head, semi-flexed on its back and left side.
Myers and Bass (n.d.) give the following data on Oneota burial material from Iowa. At the Hartley site (13AM103) in Allamakee County, Burial 1 was primary extended with head west and face north. It was a child about ten years old and with it was a pot and chert knife. Burial 2 was a female, 20-30 years old, primary extended with head northeast and no artifacts. Burial 3 was a child, 10-13 years old with a pot. It was a secondary burial. Burial 4 was a female, 20-30 years of age, primary extended with head to the east. A bison scapula hoe was with it. Burial 5 was a male, 25-35 years old; it was a primary one with the bodyin a semi-sitting position and head on chest. The head faced northwest and the face was down. No grave goods were present. Burial 7 was a secondary bundled indeterminate adult. Burial 8 was a female, 18-28 years, primary extended burial with head to the northwest and no artifacts. Burial 10 was a nine year old child, primary extended with head to east. A pot was associated with it (Myers and Bass n.d.:7-11).
At the Blood Run site (13L02) in Lyon county, five burials were reported by Myers and Bass (n.d.). Burial 1 was a 3 to 4 year old child. It was extended in a pit in a mound with head facing northwest. Associated were copper earrings, two wooden tubes at the ears and a rim sherd at the right elbow. Burial 2 was a 30-40 year old male, extended supine with head northwest and no artifacts. Burial 3 was a 35-45 year old male, extended with head north and face to the east. It may be burnt on the left side. Associated was a catlinite pipe and a shell bead. Burial 4 was a male, 21-28 years of age, extended supine with head northeast and no artifacts. Finally, Burial 5 was a 2-3 year old child, associated with Burial 2; the grave goods were three blue glass beads (Myers and Bass n.d.:35-40).
At Correctionville site the burials are reported as extended supine (Myers and Bass n.d.:43). At the Flynn site (13AM51) in Allamakee county ten burials were recovered (Bray 1961b: 15-18). Burial 1 was a fully extended, supine adult with head to north. Associated were a raven skull, two bone beads, two shell beads, two copper or brass ornaments, a bone pendant and a small animal scapula. Burial 2 was a fully extended supine adult with head north. Associated were a pumice lump, red ochre, rolled copper or brass tubes, chert flakes and a belt of rolled copper or brass beads. Burial 3 was a fully extended supine adult with two triangular projectile points and some small animal bones. Burial 4 was a fully extended supine adult oriented east-west. No trade goods were found; only aboriginal bone whistles, a heron beak, a bone tube and a squirrel skull. Burial 5 was an adult oriented north-south and accompanied by many offerings: a pot, a fresh water clam shell, 100 copper/brass beads, 12 copper/brass bracelets, sheet copper, two steel knives, a steel awl, chert flakes, glass beads and “bead” girdle as in Burial 1. Burial 6 was a fully extended supine adult with a north-south orientation, with the head north. Artifact associations were blue and green glass beads, a beaver incisor, chert flakes, a polished bison rib, a beaded girdle as with Burials 1 and 5 and a “trophy” human skull at the left knee area. Burial 7 was different because it was deeper, under slabs of rock, and in a pit. Present was a child’s skull and two carnivore jaws. Burials 8 and 9 were incomplete and damaged, but seem to have been an adult and a 30-month old child. Burial 10 was a fetus or newborn infant.
Ten burials are reported (Henning 1970:120-212) from the Utz site (23SA2), the nearest large Oneota site just a few miles east of the Utlaut site. Position, sex and age are known only for a few. Burial 3 was a 27 year old male, fully extendedwith a mussel shell, sheet copper and bone tube. Burial 4 consisted of two adults, but only one complete, fully extended 40 year old female. Burial 5 was a 30 year old male with a bone awl, a deer phalanx and worked hematite. Burial 7 was a 35 year old male with knives and abrader. Burial 8 was fully extended, 35 years old, male, covered with red ochre and was accompanied by several chert flakes. He may have died of wounds, since a projectile point was found in the cervical vertebrae. Finally, in the summer of 1970 an adult male was found in a storage/trash pit at the site (Robert T. Bray, personal communication).
Having reviewed the data on Oneota burials in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, the following hypotheses or assertions or guesses are offered concerning the general character of Oneota mortuary practices. Hopefully they will be tested in the future when more, especially descriptive, data become available.
(1) The bodies typically seem to be supine and fully extended.
(2) Orientation to a specific cardinal point does not seem to be involved as they range all around the compass.
(3) There appears to be some evidence that the graves were marked.
(4) Although most burials have some grave goods material, some do not. Except for the “trophy” material and the fact that some of the historic burials have more artifacts, there do not seem to be marked differences in the wealth of the burials. Possibly each individual is accompanied by some personal tool or ornament. At the Flynn, Hartley and Utlaut sites, burials of children are accompanied by ceramic vessels—at the Blood Run site, with a rim sherd. If this is a pattern, it changed in historic times because burials with pots and trade goods are adult (Flynn, B. 5, and Utlaut, B. 6).
(5) The lack of rich burials in the proto-historic (Oneota) period and their presence in the historic suggests a process of social stratification may be occurring because of new wealth. But this may be more apparent than real, if the “trophy” material at the Utlaut site was the proto-historic means of marking status to be replaced in the historic period by trade goods. If that is so, then it would suggest some social stratification in Oneota continuing through to the known historic Missouri chiefs.
Acknowledgments.The senior author is pleased to acknowledge the support of Kansas State University’s Bureau of General Research for a 1970 Summer Fellowship. The fellowship made possible this research. The cooperation of Robert T. Bray, Director, Lyman Archaeological Research Center, University of Missouri, is gratefully acknowledged for his help and many kindnesses throughout this work. To him, and my other colleagues: Alfred E. Johnson and W. Raymond Wood, who all helped to run the joint Midwestern Archaeological Field School in the summer of 1970 go my thanks. William M. Bass kindly loaned me the Myers and Bass manuscript which was most appreciated as it was essential for this analysis. Finally, thanks are due to the students of the field school who excavated these materials: Mike Gilman, Tom Green, Kevin Hart, Ann Hirshand Donna Roper, for without their good spirits and effort the work could not have been done.