Department of Anthropology
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis 14, Minnesota
Number 5, Spring, 1963
Elden Johnson, Editor
[11 pages, 7 figures]
The Voight Site (21 WN 15), a preliminary report of which by G. E. Evans appears in the Fall 1961 Minnesota Archaeological Newsletter, is located on a small sloping terrace along the west bank of the Mississippi River about two miles north of La Crescent, Minnesota, in the SE 1/4 of the Sw 1/4 of Sec. 28, R. 4W, T 105 N (map 1). The terrace is surrounded on three sides by high bluffs and covers a total area of several acres with the eastern edge dropping down fairly sharply to the river. In relationship to the river at present, it is situated roughly 200 meters west of the riverbank and about 22 meters above river level. The purpose of excavating this site was to preserve as much information as possible before the area was leveled for the construction of the new interstate highway, which follows the right of way of the present U.S. Highway 61.
The fact that this spot might have archeological significance first came to the attention of the University of Minnesota in 1938 when Mr. Frank Voight was building a house on this terrace overlooking the river. While leveling a yard in back of the house a number of stone points were discovered; and in cutting away the est edge of the terrace for a driveway a considerable amount of human skeletal material was unearthed, some of which was reburied behind a retaining wall along the west edge of the driveway. Although during the intervening time it has been impossible to excavate because the tenants were not disposed to having the yard dug up, the University Department of Anthropology has kept in touch with Mr. Voight; and when the state took over this property for highway construction, graduate students under the direction of Elden Johnson carried on excavations at the site, financed by funds from the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota.
Map 1
Voight Site
21 WN 15
On May 11, 1961, Elden Johnson and G. E. Evans undertook a preliminary investigation of the site and excavated a small trench in the area west of the driveway where skeletal material had been uncovered in 1938. In so doing the came across some of the reburied bones which were then designated as burial 1. Because of the amount of overburden further excavations were put off until the services of a backholer could be obtained.
From May 15 through May 18, 1961, G. E. Evans, Wilda Anderson, and T. J. Barrette excavated the bank west of the driveway with the aid of a backholer and found three undisturbed burial pits. Two of these contained single skeletons (burials 2 and 3) and the third, burial 4, contained the remains of four individuals. A few clam shells, pieces of animal bone, two quartzite point fragments, and a small piece of unworked copper were found in association with the burials.
On June 19, 1961, G. Hume and T. Fiske continued the work on the site mainly for the purpose of checking the terrace above and west of the burials for evidence of habitation. This work consisted of putting down seven test trenches by natural stratigraphic levels and by 10 cm. subdivisions within levels to bedrock and extending the excavation in the bank immediately west of the burial area about two meters. This work resulted in a clarification of the stratigraphy of the terrace. Some indication of occupation in the area was found, but no additional burials were located (Figs. 1 and 2).
No further work has been carried on at the site, and it is expected that the highway construction will completely destroy this area during the summer of 1963.
The burials, with the exceptio of burial 1, are fairly complete skeletons in good condition. All were carefully excavated and photographed and are now in the possession of the Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, along with all other materials from the site. On the basis of the type of burial and certain physical features such as the shove-shaped incisors and the flattened malar regions it seems safe to classify these racially as Amerinds. No skeletal measurements are presented here as their value on such a small sample composed largely of not fully mature individuals is dubious. There were not noticeable skeletal deformations.
Burial 1 consisted of the fragmentary remains of one individual which was reburied by Mr. Voight after the construction of his driveway. A few ribs, cervical vertebrae, the right scapula, skull fragments, the right half of the mandible with five teeth, and three separate teeth were all that was found. There was no evidence as to the type of burial, its original location, or the sex of the individual; but on the basis of tooth and bone development, the age should have been about twelve years. No artifacts were found associated with this burial.
Burial 2, located about 110 cm. below the surface, was a simple pit burial with the pit noticeably intrusive into a layer of yellowish-grey clay. The upper limit of the pit was not apparent in the reddish subsoil which was also found as the pit fill. This was a primary burial lying on its back with legs partially flexed. Missing were the right clavicle and scapula, and the lower arm bones. From the skeletal material it appears as if this was a female of 16 - 18 years of age. An interesting aspect of this burial was the finding, in the pelvic region, of a small partially developed
Figure 1. Plan View, Voight Site, 21 WN 15
Figure 2. Stratigraphy of the Voight Site (generalized profile)
scapula, clavicle, and rib, which from their size may have belonged to a 7 - 8 month old fetus. A clam shell was found lying beside the left shoulder, while in the fill around the skeleton were found a couple small foot bones and two claws, probably avian, and in the pit wall a small piece of unworked copper.
Burial 3, two meters south of burial 2, was also a simple pit burial one meter below the surface and intrusive into the grey clay layer. This primary burial appears to have been interred in a cross-legged sitting position with the knees apart and the feet together (Fig. 3). The skeleton is complete with the exception of the clavicles and some of the upper vertebrae. This individual appears to have been a young female about fifteen years old. There was evidence of red ochre on some of the bones; and three clam shells were placed near the head, two by the right shoulder and one under the head. Under the pelvic region of this burial was an extra, and somewhat larger, humerus which upon careful examination appears to have come from one of the skeletons in burial 4 located immediately adjacent. This would imply that burial 3 was somewhat later than burial 4 although the peoples may be contemporary since they were using the same burial area.
Burial 4 was situated just to the west and slightly above burial 3 and was a type of pit burial similar to the others except that it was a multiple burial, (Fig. 4), the pit containing the remains of four individuals (skeletons 4, 5, 6, and 7). There might be some question as to the primacy of the burial because of the disarray of the bones, but many were in articulated position; so it seems likely that these were primary interments one on top of another with a certain amount of mixing taking place upon decomposition and from the pressure of the fill above. All appear to have been flexed. From an examination of the skeletal material apparently all were male; skeleton 4 that of a young adult 22 - 25 years old, 5 an adult between 24 and 32, 6 approximately 17 - 20 years of age, and 7 a young adolescent around twelve years old. Some of the bones showed evidence of having been covered with red ochre. Two quartzite projectile point fragments were found; the smaller one associated with one burial, and the other in the fill above. In addition several worked animal bones were scattered in the pit fill around the skeletons and a single mollusk shell lay along side skull 5.
1. Shell
A total of seven clam shells were found during the excavations at the site, none of which appears to have been worked or painted, although one is quite smoothly worn down, probably from use. Originally these clams may have represented a source of food for the Indians; however, since five of these shells were definitely associated with burials, some additional significance must have been attached to them, probably artifactual rather than religious. They could easily have been used as scrapers or dippers.
It has been possible to identify these shells, and all appear to have been fairly common Minnesota fresh water clams. Two are Lampsilis ventricosa, one found
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1. The authors wish to express thanks to Professor Samuel Eddy, of the Department of Zoology, University of Minnesota, and Professor Paul Lukens, of Superior State College, Wisconsin, for assistance in identification of the shell and bone material respectively.
Fig. 3. Burial 3, a fifteen year old female, showing two mullusk shells in place by right shoulder. [Photo]
Fig. 4. Burial 4, a multiple burial containing skeletons 4, 5, 6, and 7. [Photo]
by the shoulder of burial 2 and the other in a similar position in burial 3. The other two shells from burial 3, also by the shoulder, were identified as Lampsilis siliquoidea. A single Anodonta grandis) was found by skull 5 in burial 4, and this shell showed a considerable amount of wear especially on the outer surface. The other two shells, a Quadula pustulosa and a Fusconaia flava were found in excavation A on the upper part of the terrace.
2. Bone
Associated with Burial 2 were two small metatarsals and two claws. The claws are similar in conformation to eagle claws only considerably smaller (22 mm. compared with about 40 mm. for an average eagle claw) indicating that they probably came from some species of raptorial bird. These were not worked or drilled in any way, but eagle claw necklaces from burials examined by the authors also showed no evidence of working, so these small claws and leg bones could have been a part of some ornament or charm.
All other nonhuman bone material came from burial 4 (Fig. 5). Among these bones were two pieces of deer antler, both of which showed evidence of use by being smoothed and somewhat work down at their pointed ends, probably from having been used as flakers. One deer metatarsal was broken in half obliquely, both halves being present; and these may have been utilized as fleshers or gouges although there is not much evidence of wear at the ends. The distal ends of two deer metacarpals broken to sharp points medially, each showing some wear on the pointed end, may have been used as crude awls or gouges. A long narrow fragment (ca. 13 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm) split off from a deer metatarsal and roughly sharpened at one end may have served as a crude bone awl. The proximal end of another metacarpal was found by with no evidence of being used. An unidentified but worked bone was also discovered which had been cut to a crude point and showed evidence of being polished through use (Fig. 5).
Beside the deer bones there were a beaver incisor, a canine tooth, and several unidentified small animal bones. The beaver incisor was cut longitudinally and probably utilized as a scraper perhaps hafted in bone. The canine tooth, from some medium sized carnivore, has the root end broken off which may be the result of having been drilled at that end.
3. Lithic Material.
Unfortunately, what would have been the most significant lithic material, the points found by Mr. Voight when leveling his back yard, was disposed of many years ago. However, Professor Lloyd A. Wilford did see some of these shortly after they were unearthed and recalled them as being "several large points with contracting stems." Also Mr. Voight pointed out some similar types from drawings of another collection, these being large side notched and stemmed points oval or triangular in cross section.
In addition to the above, Mr. Voight reported finding two rough circles of stone about 3 - 4 feet below the surface in the same general area; but no additional information on these is available.
Two bifacially flaked quartzite fragments were discovered in the burial area; the smaller and more finely worked was associated with burial 4 and the
Fig. 5. Associated Bone. A, B - proximal and distal ends of deer metatarsal; C - cut and sharpened edge of deer metatarsal; D, E - distal deer metacarpels [sic]; F, G - antler flakers; H - unidentified worked bone; I - carnivore canine, root end broken; J - cut beaver incisor. [Photo]
Fig. 6. Lithic Material. Two quartzite point fragments lower center, surrounded by crudely worked chert pieces. [Photo]
larger was found in the subsoil above. These were most likely either points or knives and are oval in cross section, but no basal characteristics remain (Fig. 6).
In excavations A through F and H many chert and some quartzite chips and flakes were found in the subsoil. A few of these show signs of having been used as scrapers and knives with one edge worked either uni- or bi-facially. This chert and quartzite material breaks quite easily and cleanly leaving many good sharp edges and thus could very possibly have been used without any secondary retouching. These materials appear to have been quite common in this area so it is impossible without further excavation to determine whether such a concentration of this type of material as we have found is a result of natural breakage or the result of this area being used as a workshop or habitation site. However, an analysis of the 249 stone fragments shows a greater concentration of both total fragments and apparently used fragments in the excavated areas closest to the burial area (Fig. 1). Of the eleven pieces which may have been utilized (Fig. 6), eight come from excavation F and three from excavation B. Of the total collected lithic material 58% comes from excavation F and 22% from B; the remainder of the material was distributed fairly evenly through the remaining excavations. This concentration towards the burial area may have been due to the increasing slope of the terrace as well as any other factor.
A single small black obsidian end scraper (21 mm x 19 x 8) turned up along the edge of the driveway near the burial area; however, since this was a surface find, no associations with the burial can be assumed.
Conclusions
The excavations at the Voight site, although not extremely revealing from the scanty artifactual content, show the value of cooperation between archaeology and construction projects in salvaging materials which would otherwise have been completely destroyed. Throughout the country the trend towards salvage archaeology seems to be of increasing importance even to the extent that excavations may be financed through construction funds. The value of this site to archaeology is that with future work the information, now preserved, may add valuable data to a larger cultural complex.
The three previously undisturbed burials show that the burial mode was that of a simple pit burial sunk about one meter below the subsoil to bedrock. Existence of multiple burial[s] in one pit does not necessarily imply a different burial type; but may only be, as Evans has suggested, the result of accumulation of the dead during the winter months when the ground was frozen. At any rate primary interment is indicated in all cases with the presence of some shell and occasionally animal bone implements accompanying the skeletons. Addition of red ochre with the burials was common. Most of the individuals were adolescents or young adults, with none of extreme youth or of great age, except the fetal bones with burial 2. This situation would be more apt to indicate some catastrophic and although no evidence of violence or disease is apparent from a close examination of the well preserved skeletal material. Both males and females are represented indicating a more permanent social grouping rather than a hunting group or war party.
The artifactual material, although no abundant, shows exploitation of stone, bone, and shell; all crudely worked, if at all, and of local origin, with the exception of the unassociated obsidian scraper and the small piece of unworked copper. None is diagnostic of any specific time horizon. All of the bone and shell is from species which are common to southeastern Minnesota today and may have represented a portion of the diet of these peoples. The general form of the tools would certainly suggest hunting and associated skin working.
Overall we can hypothesize that the Voight Site represents a brief occupation by a group of early hunters and perhaps gatherers, living during a climatic period much the same as exists today. The assemblage of crude tools, the burial mode, and the lack of any indication of pottery would suggest an Archaic horizon more strongly than any other. The social organization may have been that of a band rather than just a family group, as the number of burials would indicate a population size greater than that normally attributed to an individual extended family, unless the burials represent a long time span, which seems unlikely with the paucity of artifactual remains. Also the burial inclusions such as shells placed beside the head and red ochre scattered on top suggest some type of religious orientation. Before it will be possible to enrich the meager picture of the life ways of these people here presented, it will be necessary to obtain more data from additional sites of this type.
Notes and News
Your attention is directed to the University of Minnesota Extension Division which will offer the course Anthropology 90, North American archaeology, in two forms this year. An evening class will meet once a week on the Minneapolis campus during the spring semester, and the course will also be given by correspondence study in a series of 16 lessons. Information may be obtained from the General Extension Division, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Those of you who know Professor Lloyd A. Wilford will be pleased to know that he will be back in the Twin Cities for the summer after spending last fall and winter in San Francisco. His address for the summer will be c/o Department of Anthropology, 200 Ford Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 14, Minnesota.
The Science Museum in St. Paul is adding Vernon R. Helmen to its staff as Curator of Anthropology effective July 1. Vern will have responsibilities for both ethnology and archaeology at the museum.
Timothy Fiske, the co-author of the Voight Site report in this issue, has taken a job as field archaeologist with the University of Manitoba and will be responsible for the archaeological salvage done in connection with a huge flood control system being developed around Winnipeg. Gary W. Hume, also a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, has been in residence at Cambridge University in England this past year where he has had an opportunity to study with several distinguished archaeologists. Gary, who holds a National Science Foundation Fellowship, will be back in residence at the University of Minnesota this next year.