The River Bend archaeological site, located near the North Platte River in Casper, Wyoming, has provided remarkable insights into the indigenous adornment practices of Native American cultures in the early 1700s. Excavated in the 1970s as part of a salvage operation, the site has recently been revisited, revealing over 5,000 artifacts that offer a unique glimpse into how Native American societies adapted to European contact while preserving core cultural traditions. This discovery, published in Plains Anthropologist, highlights the transitional phase between pre-contact and post-contact material cultures, shedding new light on the intersection of indigenous craftsmanship and European influences.
Uncovering the Past: The Artifacts of River Bend
The River Bend site, excavated in the 1970s as part of an emergency salvage operation before construction took place, has yielded an astonishing array of artifacts. Despite the challenges faced in preserving the collection for decades, including missing labels and field notes, the study conducted by Dr. Spencer Pelton and his team has shed light on the site’s importance. This significant discovery reveals more than 5,000 artifacts, including materials made from bone, stone, metal, shell, and antler. These artifacts not only offer insight into the daily lives of the people who lived there but also provide a glimpse into their social structures and trade networks. The size and diversity of the assemblage make River Bend one of the most crucial sites for understanding Native American adornment practices in the post-contact period.
Dr. Pelton emphasizes the importance of reconstructing the history of the collection: “River Bend was excavated with high standards, but the collection had been neglected for about 30 years prior to our involvement.” This gap in research required a careful examination of the artifacts, which sometimes lacked proper documentation, making it difficult to assign precise locations to some of the objects. Nonetheless, the study was able to reconstruct the significance of these adornments, shedding light on how indigenous people, in this case, possibly from the Shoshone tribe, were incorporating both traditional and newly introduced materials.The Shoshone Connection: What the Artifacts Tell Us
The Shoshone Connection: What the Artifacts Tell Us
One of the most fascinating aspects of the River Bend site is the potential connection to the Eastern Shoshone tribe, an indigenous group historically based in the western Wyoming region. Dr. Pelton elaborates on this theory, citing key artifacts that point to a Shoshone occupation of the site. These include “tri-notched arrow points like those from River Bend,” which are commonly associated with Shoshone sites. Additionally, the presence of steatite (soapstone) and teshoas (split cobbles used for hide processing) strengthens the hypothesis. The combination of these items was an essential clue for researchers when they were first analyzed by Carolyn Buff, a co-author of the study.
Despite these connections, Dr. Pelton notes that the evidence is not conclusive: “The combination of these items suggested to the original investigators that the site might be related to a Shoshone occupation. These are all good lines of evidence, but there remains the potential that other cultures used these items as well.” The diversity of artifact types found at River Bend underscores the complex interplay between different Native American cultures during the early contact period, suggesting that the region may have been a hub for various cultural influences and exchanges.
Trade and Transformation: The Role of Metal and Shell Adornments
River Bend provides compelling evidence of how European trade goods, such as metal tools and ornaments, began to integrate into the indigenous material culture. Among the artifacts found were various forms of shell beads, including those made from Olivella sp. shells, which were highly prized for their use in jewelry and adornment. These beads are a rare find in prehistoric and early historical sites, pointing to the likelihood that the River Bend inhabitants were involved in long-distance trade. The Olivella shell beads were often worn as necklaces or used in personal adornment, symbolizing status and cultural affiliation.
The introduction of metal awls, which were likely used to craft shell beads, is another noteworthy discovery at River Bend. These metal tools were among the first trade items introduced to Native American societies after European contact. Dr. Pelton explains, “Once metal arrowheads started to be made, chisels and files for their production also became popular trade items. Metal tools lasted longer and often performed better than their stone and bone equivalents, so they were sought after very soon after contact.” The metal tools not only transformed the production of beadwork but also facilitated the increased use of shells in personal adornment, marking a significant change in how materials were sourced and crafted in the post-contact period.
Insights into Social Structures and Cultural Identity
Adornments in Native American cultures often served as more than just decorative objects—they were markers of identity, social status, and achievement. The River Bend site reveals how indigenous adornment practices were deeply intertwined with societal roles, including war achievements and community status. Items like shell beads and elk ivory pendants were not only symbols of personal identity but also reflected one’s place within the larger social hierarchy.
The intricate beadwork and use of valuable materials also suggest that adornment practices played a key role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural continuity in the face of European influence. As Dr. Pelton notes, “Things like metal awls, needles, knives, kettles, and axes… became popular trade items. Metal tools lasted longer and often performed better than their stone and bone equivalents, so they were sought after very soon after contact.” These materials and tools enabled more efficient production of adornments, highlighting the complex relationship between trade, craftsmanship, and cultural survival during a pivotal time in Native American history.
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