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 Welcome to
David Bogle's Museum of Native American Artifacts
202
SW 'O' Street·
Bentonville, AR
72712· (479)
273-2456 |
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Quick
Links:
Mississippian
Pottery
Caddo
Pottery
Quapaw
Pottery
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During
the Mississippian Period there were settlements that ranged from small
farmsteads to huge villages and ceremonial centers, and a population
that now rivaled other places around the world. Agriculture was at its
peak, with the large scale cultivation of corn, beans, squash, and
sunflowers along with other vegetables. The village centers had
fortified walls for protection from raiding parties and some even had
guard towers such as the city Cahokia located near St. Louis. Cahokia
boasted a population exceeding 20,000 people and covered over 6 square
miles. Although farming constituted a large portion of the food stores
of the time, the hunting of deer, turkey, squirrel, and raccoon still
played a vital role in the diet of the Mississippian people. Hunting
was now being done with the bow and arrow as the weapon of choice.
Mississippian people also established and took part in some very
complex ceremonies.
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One of the most fascinating traits of the
Mississippian culture was the vast quantities of pottery that was
produced during this time period. Using small bits of shell to
"temper" or strengthen the clay used in their pottery, the
Mississippian people became experts at making pots, bottles, plates,
and jars from clay. The artistic design that went into decorating
these pottery vessels varied from region to region, but nowhere had it
surpassed the expert craftsmanship and artistic design that was found
by the inhabitants that lived in the area now known as modern day
Arkansas. The Arkansas area was occupied by three major groups during
this period: the Caddo in the southwest, the Quapaw along the lower
Arkansas River, and a group simply called the Mississippians in the
northeast. Although this period started out as the high point of
ancient civilizations in the Americas, it ended quickly as many of the
Mississippian Period people were virtually eliminated by the diseases
introduced to the native inhabitants by the recently arriving
Europeans. Top
Mississippian
Pottery Mississippian
Head Pots are considered a pinnacle of the
Mississippian culture and are among the most rare and
unique clay vessels. Made between A.D. 1200-A.D. 1500,
they are distinguished from other pots in that they
are formed to the shape of a human head. |
Only
around 140 of these effigy head vessels have been
recovered. Head pots are often thought to be a
representation of the dead, a death mask. These pots
were often shown with painted surfaces and engraved
lines depicting tattooing. There is evidence of ear
and nose piercing being practiced and the head pots
often have perforations depicting this. These vessels
may have been adorned with feathers or other material
before they were buried as an offering. The largest
number of these rare pots has been found in southeast
Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. |
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Caddo
Pottery Caddo
pottery is usually found in the 4-corner area of
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. In general,
Caddo pottery is superior in technical construction to
most all other Mississippian Era pottery. It is
usually thinner, more symmetrical, and smoother in its
finish. The best artistic creations made were bottle
forms that exhibit extensive engravings. To achieve
that high black luster they used a fine coating called
slip, which is a mixture of sifted fine clay and
sometimes paint. After they applied the slip or paint
they would take a stone and rub it to get the desired
high polish. Effigies are rarely seen in Caddo
pottery, but the museum houses several rare instances
of these uniquely rare vessels in animal and other
effigy forms. |
Quapaw
Pottery The
Quapaw people had the shortest sojourn in the Arkansas
area of any of the three pottery cultures. The Quapaw
appeared late in the period, around 1500 AD and lived
in the area until historic times. The Quapaw culture
is known for its beautiful painted vessels, utilizing
the colors red, white, and black. This pottery was
often made in effigy form, depicting animals and items
in striking detail and accuracy. These exotic effigies
sometimes depict dogs, deer, otters, frog, shells and
even people. Quapaw pottery is considered some of the
most artistic and distinct pottery of North America. |
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Learning
the Facts
Whether the first
Americans originally entered the continent by land or by sea,
evidence of their existence on the continent is found in the
tools, weapons, and ornaments they left behind. Learn
More
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Your
Personal Tour
Your personal tour starts with individual Audio Wands provided
at the front door! Learn
More
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Grand
Opening at New Location!
The Museum is now open to the public at a new
location. New
Location |
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