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This page will feature information about the
history of Oklahoma, from Paleo sites like Cooper and
Domebo to protohistoric sites like Harlen and Spiro.
The Archaeological
Society of Oklahoma Seal
By Chris Merriam
Oklahoma President, Norman, OK.
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Oklahoma is a major crossroads
in North America; where the Plains meet the
Woodlands, and rivers flow from the Rocky
Mountains towards the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout
prehistory many cultures have called Oklahoma
home, and they left behind many unique relics. The seal for Oklahoma Chapter of the
CSAS shows some of these rare artifacts. A
variety of shell bead styles from the Spiro
Mounds makeup the circle. The central bison skull
with a painted lightning bolt zigzag is from the
Cooper Site. The point at left is the finest
Folsom found at Cooper. The point at right is a
Tribute point from the Spiro Mounds. These are
superimposed over a map of the state showing the
major rivers that flow through the state.
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Cooper Site Folsom
This exquisite Folsom, made from Edwards Plateau
chert from South Central Texas, is 2 1/2"
long and 1/8" thick. Photo is of a castThe Cooper Bison Kill Site is located on
the Beaver River in Harper Co., OK. in the N.W.
part of the state. The site was excavated in 1993
and 1994; Oklahoma amateur archaeologists
provided a great deal of assistance in the
process. There were three distinct Folsom age
kill events over the course of many years. The
most unique item found at the Cooper site was a
Bison skull that had a Red Ochre zigzag lightning
bolt painted on it; this is the earliest example
of Native American painting ever excavated. This
skull was most likely a tribute offering prior to
the second hunt.
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The Tribute Point
This Arrowpoint is made of Harvester chert from
near St. Louis, Missouri, and is 1 3/4" long,
1" wide, and 3/32" thick.
The Spiro Mounds Site is located in LeFlore Co.,
OK. in the Eastern part of the state, some 15
miles from Downtown Fort Smith, AR. Commercial
diggers first worked the site from 1933 to 1935,
WPA excavations began in 1936. Spiro is the
western most site recognized as part of the South
East Ceremonial Complex, which includes sites
like Cahokia, Moundsville and Etowah. Spiro is
best known for having the largest concentration
of prestige goods north of Mexico. Most of it was
recovered from the "Central Chamber"
the hollow core in the main cone of the mound. |
References
Bement, Leland C.
1999 Bison Hunting at the Cooper Site: Where Lightning
Bolts Drew Thundering Herds. University of Oklahoma Press,
Norman
Merriam, Larry and Christopher
2004 The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay. Photographs from the
Collection of Dr. Robert E. Bell. Merriam Station Books,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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