Archaeology hike

“If anyone in NE Iowa, SE Minnesota or west central Wisconsin (heck, even you lousy scumbags from NW Illinois! lol) is interested, the Orr Chapter of the Iowa Archeological Society is holding a hike Sunday afternoon, Nov. 17., 1 p.m.

"Expected length of field trip is 3 hours. Dress appropriately for hiking through the woods and for the possibility of cold, wet weather."

Sounds PERFECT to ME.. LOL! Can't wait!

I went on a similar hike this summer with the same group. Very cool! We looked at a former fortified Indian village location not far from the Mississippi River that had been the focus of a dig in the past few years... as well as what was thought to be an authentic pictograph of a water spirit (in a pretty inaccessible place, of course!)

Based on the location of this trip, I think perhaps an effigy mound or two might be included... plus who knows what else!!

If interested, write me at: fauxpax@hotmail.com”

“can we keep what we find?

and should we bring a shovel and spray paint?”

“I do a lot of hiking in the southwest now, and I don't know about Iowa, but we find a lot of stuff here that we keep. Why would you go on an archeological hike if you weren't going to keep the stuff?

I don't understand why anybody would want to bring spray paint, though.”

“alas...its too far. Have fun. I am house bound this weekend.”

“Let's bring this to the top again. (like anyone lives anywhere near me... SNACKS, where are ye!?!?)”

“Time to get ready for the hike.

Sunny outside. Temp around 33. Don't think there's much wind.

Good chance to try out my new polypro long johns I just got yesterday at Gander Mountain, as well as polypro thermal top.

Also the new EXPEDITION WEIGHT Smartwool socks. ahhhhhhhhhh....

But, do I take trekking poles or not?? (do I wanna look like a doofus among the non-hiking "common" folk?? LOL... I have a feeling we might be hitting a few nasty hills.......)

will report back on FINDS after the trip :-)”

“Sounds like a fun trip. Never did get into archeology as such. Too busy chipping out fossils. Did spook around the ruins of some coal patch villages for awhile. That was fun. Especially when I was able to dig up some first-hand history. Enjoy the day. I have an obligatory wedding anniversary for a friend.”

“talk at you later.”

“OK, there was not so much hiking. More like... drive... stop... look... hear the ranger-ish guy talk

However, at the end of the afternoon outing, we got to climb up a wicked steep hill (most people hanging onto the rope to pull themselves up what little there was of a "trail") to a natural Indian rock shelter.

Very cool. It even had a little alcove off to the side that they thought could have been used for grain, just like the dwellings in the SW.”

“did ya get a pic?”

“Didja ever wonder if the Indians used bear bags or Bearikades?”

“OK, Buddha Bear and whoever else might like to see what a Midwestern Indian rock shelter looks like, check these pics. They were south-facing, just below bluffs... and were occupied in the winter, since they provided good protection and warmth.

Go here:

Photos of hike and rock shelter”

“Hey I didn't see any backpacks in those pictures. I guess it is true what they say about you..Lizs doesn't hike.”

“this wasn't a backpacking trip, DOH! It was a H-I-K-E........

Just check some other albums on my website, if you can handle that, bbinkley.”

“jk lizs...”

“someone rub that p-u-s-s-y-cat doh wrong way.

she needs go pet her t-o-m-cat. or let t-o-m-cat pet her, p-u-s-s-y-cat”

“LOL! What's new p-u-s-s-y cat?? (Where is that Tom Jones thread??)”

“Was yesterday Pick on Lizs Day?

Sheesh, I miss out on all the fun.”

“So do these date to the same times as the mounds in the midwest? What tribe/band, or prehistoric?”

“lizs, are you going to come sing witht he rest of us the Toms Mt??”

“Sure Pathman, ask me THAT!! Like I took notes... lol! (notepad left at home on this one) As I recall, our "expert" (who has served as a National Park ranger -- working at nearby Effigy Mounds N'tl Monument, and possibly else... PLUS, he grew up in this area) said items found on the river plateaus dated up to around 10,000 years ago.

He mentioned Woodland Indians and Oneota Culture as the time period. However (shame on ME!!), I can't remember which of those was more recent. I'll see if I can find that quick.

I find it so interesting to compare all the Native American cultures across this country (well, mostly Midwest, Plains and Southwest at this point). If I'm recalling correctly, while the Anasazi (Ancient Puebloans, to be "PC") were disappearing, the Indians of this area were building their mounds on the bluffs above the Mississippi.

And apparently having their families hang out in these rock shelters in the winter. Close quarters!!”

“thats good enough for me. Just curious, not a test. ;-)”

“Nice pic's Liz. That rock shelter looks pretty sweet.

Have you been to Cahokia Mound down by St Louie? You and your stikmon should check that out sometime.

I got some other pics from my SW digs I need to scan. Got some good rock shelter pics, secret wall paintings, and some dirty bones pics I need to share.”

“That sounds interesting. I once played an archeology student in an Off-Broadway play. In order to get the part right, I began hiking, and it's still a hobby of mine until this day.”

“Pathman have you ever seen any of the mounds in the midwest? They're pretty cool.

Angel Mounds is just up the road from me. They've reconstructed part of the village area and they have a great museum.

I have an interesting story from a visit there a few years back.

It was during a Native American festival. I was one of several people going to look at the reconstructed spiritual house (correct name I've forgotten) which is located on the original mound.

A swarm of wasps was chasing everyone away from the structure. No one could even get close to the building that day. It turned out that it was the same day that an annual sacred ceremony for the dead would have been held.

I've been back to the structure on other occasions and went in with no problem. Funny thing is there were no wasp nests. Maybe they were the mud daubers with the nests in the ground?

We also have some pretty cool hieroglyphics that you can only see by boat off the Ohio River. Not many people know about them because of vandals. There has been some recent talk of removing them from the rock wall and moving them to a museum because the water will wear them away soon.”

“LOL!! Buddha Bear is back.... STARRING AS Reese Witherspoon!!!

Here's a site on Oneota culture. Sounds like it evolved from Late Woodland:

Oneota info

Ok, and here's a bit more... from the Effigy Mounds site information. It mentions (elsewhere) that in Iowa Woodland Culture was prehistoric. It also says mounds at Effigy Mounds were from the Hopewellian stage. Sheesh, I've hardly even heard of that! Always just heard of Oneota.

More info”

“Where's Buddha Bear?? He wanted photos (prolly just to make fun, like BBINKLEY!! lol)”