Trowbridge (14WY1) is a highly significant
Middle Woodland Period site in the area of Kansas City, Kansas. The site is
significant for both its size and the number and variety of exotic artifacts.
Special thanks to the University of Kansas Museum of Anthropology for carefully curating
these artifacts, and for allowing Professor Michael Fuller to study and photograph selected
artifacts from the collection during June, 2004.
Broken figurine from the Trowbridge Site.
Catalog no. = A74844-7 and weight =
29.2 grams.
6.1 x 3.6 x 1.8 cm. Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.1a).
The figurine portrays an elite wearing ear spools; it was originally in the Manion collection and is illustrated in Shippee (1967:Figure 51d).
Reverse of figurine A74844-7.
Clay figurine from Trowbridge site.
Catalog no. = A74844-1 and weight =
33.8 grams.
5.3 x 3.2 x 2.6 cm. Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.1b).
This figurine was originally in the Manion collection and is illustrated in Shippee (1967:Figure 51a).
Profile view of clay figurine A74844-1 from Trowbridge site.
Clay figurine with broken head and the hint of a
criss-cross incised decoration. Catalog no. = A71880 #1136 and weight =
23.2 grams. 4.3 x 3.4 x 1.9 cm. Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.1d)
Reverse of figurine no. A71880 #1136.
Clay figurine catalog no. = A748844-9 #264
with restoration using white
plaster.
Reverse of clay figurine A748844-9 #264.
Clay figurine Catalog no. = 216-B/ A16068-0163.
Weight = 12.7 grams. 4.3 x 2.8 x 1.2 cm. [Area B, TB 10, 6 to 12" (below surface?),
date of discovery (?) = 12/4/65.]
Profile view of a clay figurine head
catalog no. = 4140. Weight =
9.2 grams.
2.3 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm
.
Round head clay figurine
with one ear from the Trowbridge Site. Catalog no. = A16060-0163. Weight = 28.7 grams.
4.1 x 3.8 x 2.7 cm. [Excavation unit 13w-16; 77016]
Small figurine from the Trowbridge Site.
Catalog no. = A74848-4; weight = 3.3 grams. 2.9 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm.
Clay figurine in the form of a tied bundle
of skins or cloth? This might have functioned like a token or a votive.
Catalog no. = A71892 PT 56; weight = 51.2 grams. 5.1 x 3.7 x 2.9 cm.
Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.1c)
Off white colored platform pipe
manufactured from a soft claystone. Speciment no. = A74843-2 #260. Weight =
35.2 grams. Height 4.95 cm. Preserved length = 4.3 cm.
Ext. diameter of bowl = 3.1 cm. Rim diameter = 3.9 cm.
Interior bowl at rim = 2.3 cm. Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.1g)
Black platform pipe from the Trowbridge Site.
Specimen no. = A16057-0163. Weight =
69.8 grams.
8.5 x 3.1 x 1.2 cm. (platform).
Exterior bowl diameter = 3.9 cm.
Interior bowl diameter = 1.8 cm.
Profile view of the black platform pipe.
The excavation reports describes this as a hematite
cone. That is accurate but gives no clue to function. The artifact has a remotely
breast-like shape if interpreted symbolically.
On the otherhand, it might just be a gaming
piece. Specimen no. = A71895. Weight = 75.4 grams.
4.2 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm. Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.2a)
Side view of hematite cone.
Side view of a crystal cone.
Catalog no. = A74820-1 #265. Weight = 45.8 grams.
4.5 x 4.1 x 3.3 cm Published in Johnson (1979:Figure 12.2b)
Crystal cone artifact (specimen number 265).
Cone artifact from a stone with large
cystals giving it a speckled appearance. Specimen no. = A16065-0163. Weight =
20.2 grams. 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm. [Notes: Area B. NB-23, Feature 2; #1112-B.
10/22/66. Sahlins/Hall]
Johnson, Alfred E.
1979 Kansas City Hopewell in Hopewell Archaeology. Edited by David S. Brose and
N'omi Greber. Kent State University.
Shippee, J. Mett
1967 Archaeological Remains in the area of Kansas City: The Wood Period - Early,
Middle and Late. Misssouri Archaeological Society Research Series 5.
Website created 14 July 2004 by Professor Michael Fuller, STLCC-MC