SOUTHEAST STUDENTS EXCAVATE MISSISSIPPIAN INDIAN CEMETERY

Six Southeast Missouri State University students excavated an exposed Mississippian Indian cemetery and removed the skeletons from public exhibit this summer at Wickliffe (Ky.) Mounds.

Work at the site was prompted by the decision of Kit Wesler, site director, to remove the exposed human remains from public view in light of current sensitivities to American Indian issues.

The cemetery is believed to contain the remains of Mississippian Indians, farming people who lived along the Mississippi River nearly 1,000 years ago.

The Southeast students mostly anthropology majors worked five weeks on the project, carefully excavating, mapping and recording detailed information about each of the burials.

Interest among the group of students was planted after visiting the site last spring as members of a University Studies course, "North American Indians," taught by Carol Morrow, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology.

The cemetery was excavated about 60 years ago by Col. Fain King and his wife, Blanche. King exposed the cemetery, built a shed over it and charged admission. The site now is owned and administered by Murray (Ky.) State University.

During the project, many interesting discoveries were made, Morrow said.

First, excavators found evidence that some missing skeletal parts had, at some time, been replaced with cow bones carved to mimic human bones, to enhance the exhibit's appearance.

In addition, at the close of the field season, workers uncovered new evidence concerning the prehistoric site's formation. However, time constraints prevented students from further exploring this discovery.

"For some of the students, this experience was very emotional," said Morrow. "But they did the work in a controlled manner so history was preserved, not destroyed. All of the students are now qualified to get entry-level jobs in field archaeology."

Christopher Hildebrand, a junior from Perryville, said the field experience he gained is invaluable.

"It was interesting," he said, adding he found parts of pottery, shell beads and parts of mussel shells. "You never know what you are going to come up with. You learn a lot more in the field than you can in the classroom."

Excavation will resume next summer at the site. Students interested in participating should contact Morrow at 651-5934.