CHICAGO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY CODEX

CHICAGO ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY

ONLINE CODEX

MAY 2013

OUR MAY MEETING

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 3:00 PM

“Rattlesnake and the Experience of Death at Cahokia”

Ms Sarah Baires

Community Room of the Evanston Public Library

Evanston, Illinois

Dinner: 5:00 p.m. Informal dinner with our speaker at Dave’s Italian Kitchen

Rattlesnake Causeway and the Experience of Death at Cahokia

In the documentary film “The Power of Myth,” journalist Bill Moyers interviews mythologist Joseph Campbell about the universalities and evolutionary paths of ancient stories in contemporary societies.
During the course of their discussion on how spiritual principals inform a society, Campbell posits the idea that: “You can tell what’s informing a society by what the tallest building is. When you approach a medieval town, the cathedral is the tallest thing in the place. When you approach an eighteenth-century town, it is the political palace that’s the tallest thing in the place. And when you approach a modern city, the tallest places are the office buildings, the centers of economic life.”

Keeping Campbell’s viewpoint in mind, we might ask how the manmade structures at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site informed its community and visitors approximately 1,000 years ago (AD 1050- 1350). Do archaeological sites like Cahokia provide insight into the origins and development of modern complex societies, and their spiritual and political meanings?

Ms. Sarah Baires will present some of the discoveries that she and her colleagues unearthed while investigating the spiritual and political behavioral practices at the ancient Mississippian Site of Cahokia. This monumental archaeological site is located in Collinsville, Illinois (near St. Louis, Missouri) on the Mississippi River floodplain known as the American Bottom. A log stockade enclosed the community’s central mound-and-plaza complex, including Monks Mound, the largest Pre-Columbian earthwork in North America. Baires’ work focuses on a 1 km long raised earthen causeway that connects the southerly Rattlesnake Mound (Mound 66) to the city’s central precinct.

Visually, the Rattlesnake Causeway appears to have been a processional avenue between public space and burial grounds symbolizing a relationship between Cahokians and their venerated ancestors. But which Cahokians, and whose ancestors? For mortuary practices at Cahokia also lend insight into this large urban center’s political authority and hierarchy! Furthermore, the celestial orientation of the causeway and other Cahokian structures has great bearing on today’s understanding of the social and economic implications this carefully planned, massive scale design would have had.

Ms. Sarah Baires is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign. Her research interests include mortuary practice and religion and how these two aspects contribute to the social organization at Cahokia. In 2011, Baires was awarded the Charles J. Bareis Research Assistantship, which enabled her to do excavation work at Cahokia’s Rattlesnake Mound. In 2012, federal grant money allowed Baires’ to continue her doctoral dissertation research at Cahokia’s Rattlesnake Causeway.

The CAS is privileged to welcome Ms. Sarah Baires to our next meeting, which is to be held at the Evanston Public Library on May 19th. We hope to see you there! And please tell a friend about this free event!

Jeanne Jesernik

OUR APRIL LECTURE SYNOPSIS

From Weeds to Crops: The Origins of Native

Farming Systems in the Midcontinent
Pass the beans, squash and don’t forget the maize; or How to avoid pellagra and live a happy life

Few of us have ever heard of marshelder or sumpweed; goosefoot or lambsquarter. Some may have more than nodding knowledge of Quinoa, fabulously nutritious grain once relegated to a meager Andean food table and now marketed a gourmet quality specialty. All of the above were, and are, plants planted and gathered by the first travelers to the new world, the Paleo- Indians.

Traveling from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Dr. Constance Arzigian, the CAS guest speaker for May 2013 brought a dynamic presentation of the evolution of agriculture north of the Rio Grande. Somewhat hidden within the vast details brought to the attention of her CAS audience was the evolution of the maize, beans and squash triad popularized as the Three Sisters, the three main agricultural crops, e.g. cultigens.

The Three Sisters were a critical contribution to a Mesoamerican diet that was otherwise lacking adequate protein. However limited dependency upon wild plants continued.

We ordinarily look forward to spring as release from the rigors of winter. Not so much for the Amerindians. Spring may be a renewal of life, but its exploitation had to be differed for the later months of the summer. Another plant, native to the New World, maygrass literally was a lifesaver it sprouted with first thaw and its seed head matured early. There is archaeological evidence of maygrass consumption.

Some of the plants were intensely domesticated, maize to the degree that it became unable to fend for itself. Other plants, like wild rice, resisted domestication, but continued to be harvested.

Finally, getting down to basics, what is the source of her information? That’s simple was her explanation. “What goes in comes out.” Fortuitous finds was the explanation, coprolites — fossilized feces.

THE PALIMPSEST

by Editor

Bob Stelton

The CAS Summer Safari to Historic Lewistown, July 20 -21, 2013

Departing on Saturday, July 20, 2013 from Chicago, the Safari will begin with an exploration of Dickson Mounds Museum and a private briefing by Alan Harn, Dickson Mounds Curator.

After a break for your picnic lunch in the museum the Safari will continue with a literary/historical tour of Spoon River Cemetery with an introduction to a few Lewistown worthies (and others) now resting on the hill (Spoon River Cemetery) and, time permitting, exploration of archaeological sites (there are several important mounds in the area). If there is interest, there will be an optional Sunday morning exploration of additional sites.

What: CAS Summer Safari

When: July 20 – 21, 2013

July 20th
Place: Lewistown, Illinois: Dickson Mounds Museum.

Time: 10:00 a.m. Arrival at Museum.
Time: 1:00 p.m. Exploration of Spoon River Cemetery Time: 3:30 p.m. Presentation by our guest speaker, Date: July 21st
Time: 9:00 a.m. Exploration of the region. (details TBA)

Spoon River

Where are Elmer, Herman, Bert, Tom and Charley, The weak of will, the strong of arm, the clown, the boozer, the fighter? All, all are sleeping on the hill.

We know where the bodies are buried in legendary Spoon River Cemetery, and we’ll take you there!
The enrollment fee, to cover incidental costs, is $20; please return with enrollment to Bob Stelton, 12S675

Knoebel Drive, Lemont, IL 60439.

Plans are to car-pool and share the expenses. We’ll try to match drivers and riders. To complete our planning we need your input. Are you interested? Please complete and return the attached form with your enrollment fee or your indication of interest.

The enrollment fee, to cover incidental costs, is $20; please return with enrollment to

Bob Stelton, 12S675 Knoebel Drive, Lemont, IL 60439.

Name(s)_______________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ Contact: e-mail________________________phone__________________________________

 I am interested and will contact you.
 I prefer a 1 Day Safari I prefer a 2 day safari (Motel $86 we’ll help in arranging accommodations) I can drive o I can provide rides for ____persons  I (we) need a ride
$20 pp Enrollment Fee Is Included

You can keep up with archaeology events with these links:

Mike Ruggeri's The Ancient America's Breaking News

http://bit.ly/UbLO7x

CAS: www.chicagoarchaeologicalsociety.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/ChicagoArchaeologicalSociety

MID-WEST AREA ANCIENT AMERICAS ARCHAEOLOGICAL LECTURES AND CONFERENCES

May 16, 7:30 PM

Michigan Archaeological Society; Huron Valley Chapter Lecture

"Big Game Hunting Conundrum"

John Speth, University of Michigan

He will propose new thoughts on Paleoindian’s reasons for their lithic assemblage. An article is in the current issue of the "Mammoth Trumpet."

The classroom of the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology

434 S. State Street (right across the street from Angell Hall)

University of Michigan Campus

Ann Arbor, Michigan

http://www.miarch.org/chapters/huron-valley.html

May 16, 7:00 PM

Illinois Archaeological Society; East Central Illinois Chapter

"Prairie Refuge; The Grand Village of the Kickapoo"

Michael Corzine

Urbana Free Library

Urbana, Illinois

http://www.museum.state.il.us/iaaa/eastevents.htm

Wednesdays, June 19-July 24, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM

Newberry Library Seminar Series

"Astronomy and Ancient Cultures of North America"

Led by Lee Minnerly

Human beings have observed celestial phenomena and incorporated them into religious, economic, social, and political life for millenia. This seminar explores some of the relationships of ancient astronomy and cultural behavior evident at archaeological sites in North America, including medicine wheels, Hopewell earthworks, the great population center of Cahokia, and Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Skidi Pawnee cosmology will also be discussed as an important example of ethnoastronomy.

Lee Minnerly holds an M.A. in anthropology, teaches adult education classes on astronomy and culture at Harper College and the College of Lake County, and is an archives assistant in the Webster Institute for the History of Astronomy at Adler Planetarium.

60 West Walton Street

Chicago, Illinois

http://www.newberry.org/06192013-astronomy-and-ancient-cultures-north-america

Mike Ruggeri's Ancient America Museum Exhibitions, Conferences and Lectures

http://bit.ly/11aKJzE

MEXIMAYAN TOURS 2013/2014

Guatemala: Lake Atitlan: "The Place where the Rainbow got its Colors." Departure: June 2013.

The scientist/world traveler, Alexander van Humboldt, described Lake Atitlan as "the most beautiful lake in the world." Aldous Huxley said it was "too much of a good thing". The deep lake, with Mayan artifacts at the bottom, is ringed by volcanoes nestl- ing native picturesque villages. It ranges from pale to cobalt blue, making sunsets

stunningly gorgeous.
****The ways of the Maya villages varies from indigenous to contemporary. Men of Santiago Atitlan wear white knee pants embroidered with exotic birds, whereas the men of Solola wear bright Technicolor long pants. Religious practices vary. Maxim6n is worshiped as Saint Simon, but in a darker version he becomes Judas Iscariot who, as a Maya god was called Mam.
****The rich volcanic soil produced a healthy menu (fire dragon fruit, red amaranth) and a good life; but large farms now own much of the land. U.S. citizens have built B&BS, Yoga studios, and Guitar Schools. And yes, Tikal is included!

Southern France, Paleolithic Cave Paintings and
Paris: The Dawn of Humanity. Oct 14 - Oct 23, 2013

The cave paintings of the ice Age, from around 32,000 to 8000 BC such as Lascaux typically show scenes with running wild horses, bison, aurochs, deer, mammoths and other extinct animals. A few have depictions of hu- mans which some claim to be shamans. Many of these caves are found in Dordogne, France, a region of medieval villages with some archaeological sites from Neolithic and Bronze Age and Renaissance times. A few nights in Paris with more experiences and free times follow. We visit about 12 sites in Dordogne.

Back to Bali: The Morning of the World: Our trip in January, 2013 to be repeated in January 2014

After decades, a return to the island of Bali was worrisome. Was Bali the same beautiful island with the same lovely people? Well the airport is larger and now you spot a Burger King and then, oh no — a Starbucks! Contrasting the shock of change were streets are lined with exotic sculptures — Royal Princes, Buddhas, elaborately carved doors and monkeys. Intersections were punctuated with large white sculptures, depictions of heroes and heroines from the Ramayana.
****Curving roadways were shaded by a canopy of green trees that opened to rice paddy terraces and we knew we were back! The scenic temples by the sea remain. The hotel bungalows, strung along scenic walkways dotted with dainty little offerings were evidence that while much had changed, much remained. Dramatic temple drama, music of the gamelan that captured the imagination of Debussy, the traditional puppet shows, and the wonderful cuisine like the Nasi Goreng breakfasts welcomed us back. The people, the men and women in their lovely sarongs are still there making their art and their daily lovely offerings. Traveling to Bali is not an experience ever forgotten.

For More Information please call, toll free, 800 337-MEXI

Thank You.....

.....to the North Shore Hotel for providing the Chicago Archaeological Society with facilities for our April 28, 2013 meeting.

The North Shore Retirement Hotel has provided gracious retirement living and has been a hallmark for over four decades and provided an exceptional accommodation for our meeting.

For calendar items, please call Bob Stelton;

630-972-9090

Inclusion deadline is the last Friday of the month

TEL: (630) 972-9090 e-mail: meximayan@meximayan.com
WEBPAGE: http://chicagoarchaeology.org or

Chicago Archaeology Society Online Codex

http://bit.ly/Y04Vg5

Robert Stelton, editor

Chicago Archaeological Society

12S675 Knoebel Drive
Lemont, IL 60439
Return Service Requested

Feedback;

michaelruggeri@mac.com

UPCOMING CAS LECTURES