Bowen site
Encyclopedia
The Bowen site is the most prominent of several late Woodland Period
settlements located in modern Indiana
along the White River
in Marion County
. It is sited on a glacial out-wash terrace. The site was extensively studied and excavated beginning in 1959 when it was discovered by gravel miners. Archeologists from Indiana University
who responded to the reports of the discovery completed excavation of the site in 1965.
The settlement was established circa 1000 AD and inhabited by peoples who were significantly influenced by the Mississippian culture
. The village measured 0.78 acre (0.31565508 ha), and held a 200 feet (61 m) diameter burial ground that included fire and human waste pits. Pottery sherds, chipped stones, and ground bones littered the site. Also discovered were crude hammers, axes, grinding tools, antlers, and weapons made of animal bone. Evidence suggests the site was only used seasonally, and inhabitants migrated annually during colder weather to other locations before returning during the warmer times of the year.
By studying the size of the site, and the burials, archeologists estimate that the village's average population between the years 1000 and 1300 was one-hundred. The remains in several graves were disinterred for studying, and others have been examined through technology allowing archaeologists to view beneath the surface of the ground. The oldest person to be exhumed was seventy years old at his death. No young men were buried at the site, suggesting they died elsewhere and indicating the village may have been involved in prolonged warfare. The remains of several young women who died in childbirth were found. The majority of the graves were left undisturbed.
The pottery findings at the site were unique when compared to other Mississippian era. The pots were globular in shape, like those of the Mississippians, but decorated with shells and other markings like those founds among Woodland culture of the Great Lakes. Archeologists believed the pottery represented a distinct mixing of the Great Lakes and Mississippian Woodland cultures. Named after a nearby farm, the culture was named the "Oliver Phase
". The discoveries during the 1960s led archeologists to expand their excavation and they found similar sites both up and down stream during the 1980s and 1990s.
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
settlements located in modern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
along the White River
White River (Indiana)
The White River is a two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River. Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the White River is long.-West Fork:The West Fork, long, is...
in Marion County
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
. It is sited on a glacial out-wash terrace. The site was extensively studied and excavated beginning in 1959 when it was discovered by gravel miners. Archeologists from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
who responded to the reports of the discovery completed excavation of the site in 1965.
The settlement was established circa 1000 AD and inhabited by peoples who were significantly influenced by the Mississippian culture
Mississippian culture
The Mississippian culture was a mound-building Native American culture that flourished in what is now the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1500 CE, varying regionally....
. The village measured 0.78 acre (0.31565508 ha), and held a 200 feet (61 m) diameter burial ground that included fire and human waste pits. Pottery sherds, chipped stones, and ground bones littered the site. Also discovered were crude hammers, axes, grinding tools, antlers, and weapons made of animal bone. Evidence suggests the site was only used seasonally, and inhabitants migrated annually during colder weather to other locations before returning during the warmer times of the year.
By studying the size of the site, and the burials, archeologists estimate that the village's average population between the years 1000 and 1300 was one-hundred. The remains in several graves were disinterred for studying, and others have been examined through technology allowing archaeologists to view beneath the surface of the ground. The oldest person to be exhumed was seventy years old at his death. No young men were buried at the site, suggesting they died elsewhere and indicating the village may have been involved in prolonged warfare. The remains of several young women who died in childbirth were found. The majority of the graves were left undisturbed.
The pottery findings at the site were unique when compared to other Mississippian era. The pots were globular in shape, like those of the Mississippians, but decorated with shells and other markings like those founds among Woodland culture of the Great Lakes. Archeologists believed the pottery represented a distinct mixing of the Great Lakes and Mississippian Woodland cultures. Named after a nearby farm, the culture was named the "Oliver Phase
Oliver Phase
The Oliver Phase is the name for a Late Woodland Native American culture that flourished from 1200 and 1450 CE along the east and west forks of the White River in central and southern Indiana. The Oliver Phase is of the Western Basin Tradition which includes the Springwells Phase, the Younge Phase,...
". The discoveries during the 1960s led archeologists to expand their excavation and they found similar sites both up and down stream during the 1980s and 1990s.