hunters and fishermen. Corn and bean remains also show they were farmers—good ones, too. The Mississippians, an archaeological designation for the possible ancestors of later indigenous Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, also feasted on an abundant supply of snails found in the nearby creek. “Our excavation will help us learn who these people were and exactly when they lived,” Peacock said. “It also could answer whether they provided all the food for their feasts or had others bring food to them.” Peacock’s team spent more than a month this summer digging near the mound. A magnetometer was deployed to help the diggers “see” beneath the ground and identify home sites by locating trenches dug for house wall posts. Upon excavation, it was discovered that the Mississippians used creek sand to line their floors. Radiocarbon dating of firewood and other objects will enable scientists to pinpoint the settlement’s age and to know when a twoinch ear of corn—the vegetable’s original size—and beans were grown. “Radiocarbon dating of anything that was alive is very accurate in determining age,” Peacock said. “At $350-$500 per object, however, it quickly gets expensive.” To help ease the costs of this and two future excavations, contributions are being
accepted for a Lyon’s Bluff Fund established with the MSU Foundation. He said future digs are planned in 2003 and 2005. Analysis of artifacts excavated at Lyon’s Bluff more than 30 years ago also is ongoing. When the fieldwork is complete, it will take researchers several years to fully analyze the finds. “By combining our research with that of colleagues from earlier excavations, we should have a good feel for the cultural landscape more than 1,000 years ago at Lyon’s Bluff and this area of Mississippi,” he said. For more information on the Lyon’s Bluff dig, telephone Peacock at 662-325-1663 or e-mail him at peacock@anthro.msstate.edu. To learn more about the fund supporting the dig, telephone the MSU Foundation at 3253410.
Above, Dr. Evan Peacock checks magnetometer readings.
A Fall 2001
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