Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and human behavior and societies in the past and present. Social anthropology and cultural anthropology study the norms and values of societies. Linguistic anthropology studies how language affects social life. Biological or physical anthropology studies the biological development of humans.
Archaeology, which studies past human cultures through investigation of physical evidence, is thought of as a branch of anthropology.
Flint Stones
Due to its characteristic ability to splinter into thin sharp blades, flint was used to fabricate primitive stone tools. Native Americans are iconic flintknappers. This is actually an ancient practice, though, which gives meaning to the term "Stone Age." These 5000 year old Saraha arrowheads, on display at Mammoth Cave Museum, were brandished by ancestors of the Egyptians who built the pyramids. -- T. Jeske
Originally, Amazon tribes shrunk the heads of their vanquished enemies to prevent their spirits from returning. However, shrunken heads became so popular with European traders that the Amazon tribes would pillage burial sites and kill enemy tribe members to obtain the heads to sell. They even made fake shrunken heads to sell. This shrunken head resides at the Mammoth Cave Museum. It is unknown whether it is authentic. - Z. McMurry
Branding Irons
Section 2-A-O
Livestock branding backdates to 2700 BCE, as portrayed by Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. But brands are most famously associated with the American Frontier when the west was wild and thieves were plentiful. Brands were used to identify a cow’s owner, to protect cattle from rustlers, and to distinguish herds during cattle drives. -- T. Jeske
Hide Stretcher
6-A-O
This old hide stretcher was used to stretch out and dry the hide and fur of an animal after it was skinned, just as you see here with the American Porcupine. After this stage, the hides will be used for making leather, clothing, and/or accessories. Nowadays we stretch hides so we can do taxidermy to mount and display animals. You will see many examples of this in the museum.
- I. Trent
neolithic celt axe heads
6-C-I
These axe heads are just one form of many stone tools used for thousands of years. Some stone tools are known to date back 3.3 million years ago. The ages of these stones are classified into three periods: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. The axe heads are thought to be characterized by being shaped to a specific desire by polishing or grinding methods. What a treasure this museum has! - I. Trent
(Olla) Pueblo Indian Cooking Pot
5-A-O
The word "olla" comes from the same word in Spanish and the same word in Latin. The original Latin word signified a pot or jar, so the meaning has not changed much. It is unclear if Spanish settlers introduced the pot and the name to the indigenous peoples or just the name. In any case the pots were used by both immigrants and natives. The Spaniards also introduced the use of ollas in irrigation. To use an olla to irrigate, one must bury an unglazed olla with a thin neck next to the plant to be irrigated and then fill it with water. The water will then slowly seep through the slightly porous walls. This mechanic can also be used to keep the water inside cool. If the olla is not buried, then the water that seeps out will act as a sort of sweat and the remaining water will be cooled by its evaporation. -Alex
Yanomami Basket
5-A-O
Yanomami baskets are made by the women of the yanomami tribes. They are woven out of roots, strings of bark, and/or vines. The baskets are died with the red "onoto" berry. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are most commonly used for transporting food such as bananas, sugarcane, papaya, and manioc (the source of tapioca). -Alex
Scythe
5-A-O
The common consensus is that scythes originated in Europe during the time of the Roman Empire. At that time there were two main kinds of scythes large Gallic scythes and small Italian scythes. Historically, scythes were made with two pieces of soft steel that held in place a sharp strip of harder steel that acted as the blade. Scythes were designed to be especially good at harvesting crops closer to the ground as opposed to the sickles that were in much more common use before the scythe made its way across Europe.
Shrunken Head
5-A-O
The Jivaro Indians of the Amazon were the ones who made shrunken heads. Why would they do such a thing? They believed that by doing this they would stop the vengeful spirit inside their victim from harming them. They were also understandably quite scary and showed that the Jivaro Indians meant business.
Making a shrunken head is a very involved process. First a slit is made on the back of the neck and up to the head, the skin is peeled off, the eyelids sewn shut, the mouth skewered shut, then the head is boiled. After it is done being boiled it is about 1/3 its original size. That is not small enough though! To finish the shrinking process excess skin from the inside is scraped off, hot rocks and sand are placed on the inside, and then on the outside.
Because of a sudden increase in European interest in shrunken heads in the 1800s, many shrunken heads were made from monkey heads or other non-authentic sources. It is estimated that 80% of the shrunken heads in museums and private collections were not actually made from humans. -Alex
Mukluks
5-A-O
Mukluks are the traditional shoes of the Inuit, Iñupiat, and Yupik. Mukluks are very quiet which allowed hunters to move about quietly in search of wild game. They are also very flexible and light. US Marine extreme-cold-weather boots weigh about eight pounds. Mukluks on the other hand weigh less than .8 pounds. Because they are so light, they require little to no lacing and therefore do not constrict blood flow to the foot. -Alex
Native American Grinding Stones
6-A-O
These stones were used by Native Americans in many places in the United States. They were used to grind dried corn down into a type of corn flour for an ingredient in their food. Depending on the areas or needs, other materials would be ground as well. The top rock was moved up and down the bottom rock with the corn or other materials to do the grinding. Aren't you glad we don't grind stuff down like that today? - I. Trent
SAHARAN NEOLITHIC TOOLS
Section 4-B-O
The Neolithic Period was the period of human development at the end the Stone Age. The word Neolithic means, in fact, New Stone Age. From about 7500-3500 BC the Sahara was much more fertile and less arid. This led to increased human settlement in North Africa, including places like Egypt and Sudan. These primitive stone tools and arrowheads tell us that hunting was a big part of the lifestyle of the ancient Africans., and that there were many different types of arrowhead, likely for different animals or cultures. -D. Tribe
Guanshiyin (Guanyin):
Buddhist Goddess of Mercy
Section 2-B-I
A faithful follower of Buhdda, Guanyin reached enlightenment; but, upon hearing a piteous human cry, she renounced Nirvana and chose to express her immortality on earth and live in the hearts of the suffering.
"It's from China," commented the owner of the Museum, "It cost a pretty penny." Currently, one dingy penny = 6.67 Chinese renminbi. The exact value of a "pretty penny" is yet undetermined, and Mr. Olsen seems okay with that.
Another legend identifies Guanyin as lord, protector, and guide of all beings. In this case, perhaps she has found her place in the museum leading wandering beings down the path to enlightenment. Museum entry fee: 1000 pennies. Unforgettable learning experience: priceless. -- T. Jeske
Ornamental Gourd
6-B-I
This was most likely a piece of decoration from a Native American tribe. Gourds were used for more than just ornaments though. Depending on the type and size of the gourd, they made baskets, dishes, storage, baby rattles, jugs, and many other useful things out of the gourds. Sometimes gourds where even shaped a specific way for a use by pressure or having something tied around one end while it was growing. - I. Trent
African Beads
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
These beautiful African beads were once buried with African royalty when they dies. When the rainy seasons came, year after year, they began to resurface and were then used for trading as the top notch item. Once the royal families found out, they were being bought up as quickly as possible. Mr. Olsen was lucky to get these before they were all gone. There are no beads left out there available to anyone. These are quite the treat, seeing as how the African royalties have all the rest of them. - I. Trent
amazonian doll
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
This doll was handmade in the Amazons by the Bora Indian Tribe. This very talented people make many dolls, rattles, masks, blowguns, and many other things. A lot of their creations are made from bark cloth, vegetable dyes, and palm tree twine. They also love to use beads, feathers, and paints to decorate them. They really do a lovely job. I wish I was that talented! - I. Trent
Saharan Baskets
5-A-O
These are two of nine large baskets found in the late 1940's by the Nomadic Aurei people of Western Africa who have historically been camel herds who travel across the Sahara Desert. Often during the course of their journeyings, the come across valuable pieces of history like these. These baskets were sold to a trader who took them to Johannesburg, South Africa where Mr. Olsen bought them from him. -Alex
Apache Knife and Sheath
Located in the East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
When Native Americans made sheaths, they typically covered the entire knife, including the handle. This was done to protect it from moisture and to keep it secure when not in use. The sheaths were usually made from rawhide, sometimes folding over itself for more security. Many knife sheaths started out plain, until over time the were decorated with paints, beads, or twine. Can you imagine the time and talent it took to make these masterpieces? Truly wonderful! - I. Trent
Bola
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
This bola is a type of throwing weapon with weights on the ends of interconnected cords. They were usually used to temporarily entrap animals by tangling their legs together. When thrown with enough force, the weights could inflict damage while also entangling the animal. While their are tales of using these weapons to catch runaway cattle or wild game for dinner, they were even expertly used to down birds in flight. Funny enough, bolas don't have a set form. Some bolas only have one weight while others could have eight or nine. this one seems to have three or four. I like to imagine this as a beginning to the modern lasso. Can you imagine how hard it could be to catch a bird or entangle the feet of a running animal? It must have taken plenty of talent and skill! - I. Trent
Arrowhead Kokopelli
5-B-I
Kokopelli is a fertility deity in the cultures of some Southwestern American Indian tribes. He is seen to be the one who presides over childbirth and agriculture. He also is a bit of a trickster, which is bad news for those involved in childbirth or agriculture. The first known images of Kokopelli appear on Hohokam pottery from between 750 and 850 AD. There are many theories put forth by anthropologists as to the orgin of Kokopelli. One such theory is that he is a representation of the desert robber fly, which has a hunched back and a large proboscis. -Alex
Bronze Artifacts
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
Jade and bronze both became very popular in China around the Bronze Age, starting at approximately 2000 B.C. Bronze was used for weapons, chariots, and ritual artifacts, possibly like the ones seen here. In the era of the Shang dynasty, one of the most distinctive characteristics was a frontal animal-like mask that had a prominent pair of eyes and a protruding nose with nostrils often at the base. These artifacts could have horns, fangs, ears, and eyebrows. Maybe that one in the back of the case could be similar to that of the Shang Dynasty. Make sure to ask Mr. Olsen about these lovely artifacts when you come see them. - I. Trent
ALEUT & Inuit Eskimo tools
6-C-O
Various traditional tools of the ancient people of the Inuit and Aleut tribes are housed here at the Shoshone Bird Museum. The Aleuts, native to the western Alaskan Peninsula, and the Inuits, native to Canada, fashioned materials such as bone, ivory, stone, horns, teeth, antlers, and other parts of animals into tools and weapons used in their everyday life. Harpoons, spears, bows, arrows, nets, stone traps, knives, and clubs were necessary in their hunter-gatherer lifestyles for hunting, fishing, and preparing meat or skins for use. --E. Sharp
Totem Pole
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
Of these vertical, wooden sculptures from the Indians of Northwest North America, many stories may be told. Carved into these towers are not random figures and animals—they are indications of the lineage of an owner’s household through symbols of spirits and creatures. All images on totem poles are depicted to be standard--assuring a universal understanding among the Northwest Indians. Richard Olsen’s totem pole appears to have four figures engraved on it, and it is known that additions or multiple images on a pole may be read as a myth or legend with the help of a family member of which it belongs to. --E. Sharp
Cree Indian Birch Bark Moose Call and Snowshoes
1-B-O
Pictured are two Cree Indian Artifacts: a moose call and a set of snowshoes. The Cree Indians live in parts of the United States and Canada. According to the label accompanying the artifacts, the snowshoes and moose call were made by the Cree Indians of Canada. This moose call has been made of bark, with the segments appearing to have been sewn together. -Z. McMurry
English Pewter Teapot
1-C-O
Pictured is a teapot. It is most likely English, from the Victorian era. It may have been made by Broadhead and Atkin, an English company which produced metalware. It appears to be made of pewter, an alloy primarily consisting of tin and copper. -Z. McMurry
roman arrows
Section 2-A-I
(Bottom of first picture)Ancient Roman arrows were powerful weapons and archers were an important part of the Roman army. From the Isle of Britannia and Western Europe to Egypt, Syria, and all of the Mediterranean and Aegean there were Roman archers to enforce the Roman rule. When confronted by heavily armored troops, bodkin arrows were used. These narrower, more pointed arrows were less devastating to the flesh but capable of piercing armor. -- T. Jeske
Egyptian Mummy beads
Section 2-A-I
In ancient Egypt stringed beads were often wrapped around corpses. Apart from shape and size, color was another important consideration, not just aesthetically but symbolically as well. For example, green symbolized new crop growth and fertility; red was life and victory. Thus, ancient Egyptian beads embodied life, light, fortune, fertility, and peace during the current life and also the afterlife. -- T. Jeske
Four-pronged Fishing Spear
1-A-O
Pictured is a four-pronged fishing spear. Despite having a similar appearance to a pitchfork, this is most assuredly a fishing spear, as pitchforks do not have barbed ends. This spear differs from the well-known trident, as the trident has three prongs and this spear has four. -Z. McMurry
Sumenep Canoe
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
Located as a capital city in East Java, Indonesia, Sumenep is now booming with tourism. This island has many architectural attractions that mainly reach back to the 1800s; however much of their culture has remained in tact for about 750 years. The people of this culture speak the language of Madurese, an Indonesian subfamily language of Austronesian origin. This particular canoe was made out of teak wood approximately 100 years ago. --E. Sharp
Peruvian Tapestry
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
Located in this East building are many beautiful textiles of ancient Peruvian origin, such as this one. However, when one looks into the details of this particular tapestry they are struck with confusion. How and why are there swastikas weaved into this Pre-Columbian textile? Although the swastika is widely known to be the symbol of the Nazi party led by none other than Adolf Hitler, this symbol was used long before then. The origin meaning of the word can be interpreted into “good luck” or “well-being,” and it has been used across many religions and regions as a symbol of prosperity. It is quite an unfortunate instance to see an ancient and optimistic symbol’s meaning flipped by one man in history. --E. Sharp
Native American Apparel
6-C-I
Before Europeans settled in this land, Native American clothing varied between each tribe. Many different traditional and ceremonial styles of apparel existed, including animal robes and furs, shawls, deerskin dresses, feather headdresses, buckskin shirts and coats, moccasins, mukluks, and war shirts. These were made of a range of materials, seeing that the Native Americans were no wasters of resources. They used nearly all the parts of plants and animals that they were supplied—from hide to teeth and bark to grass. This particular set of ceremonial clothing was crafted from fringed leather. --E. Sharp
NATive american arrowheads
4-B-O
Arrowheads were fashioned out of several different types of stones, depending mostly just on what happened to be available. Flint was common because it is a stone that easily flakes. The process of sharpening an arrowhead began with flintknapping, or hitting the flint with a hammerstone to remove flakes, providing a smaller, thinner, more usable rock. Next was pressure flaking, or using a sharp tool, such as an antler horn, to remove the small flakes and give the arrowhead its shape. The final step was to grind out the rough edges. -D. Tribe
Nkisi Nkondi
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
This here African artifact is a lot more than a compilation of rocks, blades, and nails. A figure of such origins is made by a collaboration between a sculptor and nganga—an African ritual specialist or pharmacist. A process in which the nganga applies certain medicines to its common abdominal box assures the figure to have spirit. Certain supernatural powers are harnessed by the spirit, whose main objective is to deliver revenge or act as a living contract that punishes anyone who does not adhere to a compact. The spirit can be activated when a certain individual (or individuals in a pact) drives nails, tacks, or blades into the sculpture. --E. Sharp
African Ritual Mask
6-B-I
Masks are essential to rituals of many African cultures. Most masks are worn by men during ceremonies; however, they often depicted females with long hairstyles, crowns, or distinct beading. Interestingly enough, even though masks are so important to rituals, African cultures do not have a word for “mask.” Because each mask displays a relation to an ancestor or supernatural being, they are all individually called by what it is representing. --E. Sharp
Yoruba Beaded Crown
6-B-I
The present-day Yoruba people descend directly from the Ife culture of eighth century West Africa, and their art tells a lot about Ife culture. Headdresses such as these are made for a king who acts as a representative and mediator of this world in front of the realm of the gods. Many crowns such as these are to emphasize the kings sacred majesty as well as depict Ife myths of origin—many of which speak of the first Yoruba king named Oduduwa. --E. Sharp
African Assagai and Spears
1-C-I
Pictured are four different African spears and two different assagai. A spear is an infantry weapon, characterized by its length and sharpened points. An important distinction between a spear and a pike is that a spear is meant for thrusting, jabbing attacks and ranged attacks, while a pike is not meant to be thrown, as it is primarily used against cavalry. An assagai is an African creation. It is characterized by its relatively short length and large blade or tip. The assagai is primarily used for throwing, though a variant, the Iklwa, is used for close-quarters melee only. -Z. McMurry
Native American Arrows & Arrowheads
Section 2-C-I
As expert flint-knappers Native Americans carefully chipped their flint, masterfully crafting the business end of their arrows to maximum effectiveness. Given the coloration and size, these arrowheads were likely brandished by a southwestern tribe and used to hunt small game such as birds. The natives wasted nothing and even reserved feathers for fletching. -- T. Jeske
The Seminole Indians
&
westward expansion
Section 2-B-O
From 1814-1837 Andrew Jackson negotiated or signed into law over 70 Native American removal treaties. The most resistant and last to relocate were the Seminole Indians. After three wars* the US Government eventually paid them to move westward. With true grit, this resilient tribe maintained a strong identity and presence wherever they traveled. They were known to barter with white settlers and exchange services and goods such as those pictured above. Supposedly, they were the only Native American tribe who never signed a treaty with the US government. -- T. Jeske
*Seminole Wars: 1817-1818, 1835-1842, 1855-1858
Traditional Aleut & Inuit Tools
Section 2-B-O
In the vegetatively barren Arctic of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska, Aleuts and Inuits subsisted almost entirely off of a meat diet. Some nomads even followed seals, polar bears, and other migrating game across the tundra. Hunting, fishing, and skinning tools were traditionally made of stone, or parts of animals (e.g. bone, ivory, antlers, horns, teeth). Modern-day natives are still hunter-gatherers who wield similar, though less primitive, tools. -- T. Jeske
Native American Indian Pigment Paint Container
1-A-I
Pictured is a Native American Indian pigment container. Pigments are used to change the color of various items. Historically, pigments were made from minerals, plants, berries, feces, and other such materials. -Z. McMurry
African Harps
1-C-O
Pictured are two African Harps. Each has four strings and is made primarily of wood. The harps also consist of hide, which is stretched over the mouth of the instrument to provide a suitable surface for vibration. -Z. McMurry
Native American Gloves
1-C-I
Pictured is a pair of Native American gloves. These gloves have been heavily decorated, sporting fringe and colorful embroidery. They are most likely made of deerskin, as cow or buffalo hide would likely be too thick and stiff for gloves. -Z. McMurry
Eskimo Doll
1-B-I
Pictured is an Eskimo doll. It may be what is known as a Yup’ik doll. Yup’ik dolls were made from wood or ivory. They were dressed in clothing to “protect” them from the cold. -Z. McMurry
Larry Dean Olsen’s Boyhood Arrowhead Collection
1-C-I
Pictured is a display case containing Larry Dean Olsen’s Boyhood Arrowhead Collection. Arrowheads are made through a process called “flintknapping”, when a brittle material, such as obsidian or flint is repeatedly struck to form a shape. There is an excellent article on flintknapping on this website, under the heading “Anthropology”. -Z. McMurry
