An analysis of effigy mound complexes in Wisconsin

Hurley, William Michael

Book

An analysis of effigy mound complexes in Wisconsin

Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan • (59) • Published In 1975 • Pages: xiii, 414 , plates

By: Hurley, William Michael.

Abstract
Hurley conducted field work at the Bigelow and the Sanders sites and analyzed the artifacts. The work was done as part of a doctoral dissertation. The Bigelow site contained only mounds while the Sanders site contained mounds and a village. Both sites date to the Middle Effigy Mound tradition. The artifacts are described, with the ceramics described in more detail, and some of the fabrics from the fabric impressed ceramics are reconstructed. Because of the number of radiocarbon dates (31) from these sites, Hurley was able to further date some of the ceramics. The material from these sites is then compared with other Effigy Mound material and a description of the the Effigy Mound tradition and its culture core is given, broken into Early, Middle and Late Effigy Mound. 'This study examines and assesses previous research conducted at Effigy Mound culture sites... Excavations conducted at two Effigy Mound culture sites ... yielded valuable information concerning the longevity of site occupation, the possible rate of mound construction, the cultural utilization of a location over a controlled time period, burial customs, settlement patterns, and the nature and extent of the associalted material culture. The [sites] … yielded a total of 55,414 artifacts from sites containing 56 mounds, three houses, 91 features, and 10 prehistoric burials.' (page 4).

Identification

Archaeological excavation methods

Cordage

Woven and other interworked fabrics

Ceramic technology

Lithic industries

Miscellaneous structures

Weapons

General tools

Visual arts

Chronologies and culture sequences

Cultural stratigraphy