Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Archaeological Society
Chapter Information
Welcome to the Ozarks Chapter of the Missouri Archaeological Society (MAS), hosted by the Missouri State Center for Archaeological Research. As a part of the MAS, the Chapter welcomes anyone who supports the purposes of the society, which are:
- To unite those interested in the archaeology of Missouri
- To promote cooperation among professional and amateur archaeologists
- To promote the study, investigation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic remains in Missouri
- To provide for the dissemination of knowledge and research in archaeology and related disciplines
- To provide for the recording, preservation, and display of remains and sites in Missouri, and for the educational use of such information
- To promote a constructive public attitude toward these remains
Our members come from all walks of life, most with no formal training in archaeology.
All, however, share an interest in archaeology. We are fortunate indeed to have professional
archaeologists within Missouri State who are more than willing to share their knowledge
and experience as part of our membership.
Dues are only $5 a year. You can also join the MAS for $30 a year.
The principal activity of the Ozarks Chapter is the monthly meeting (see below). During our meetings, we have programs that are enjoyable learning experiences. We are continually showing artifacts that we've found and determining types and estimated ages. We also participate in archaeological excavations, usually under the leadership of CAR staff. We do not engage in the trade or sale of artifacts, and we encourage everyone to responsibly learn about our country's past.
You're Invited!
Come as our guest, share our enthusiasm for archaeology, and by all means bring your artifacts for all to see and enjoy. While we encourage it, you do not need to be a member to attend our meetings.
WHEN: The first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Occasional mid-month guest speakers will also be on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm.
WHERE: Strong Hall Room 407 on the Missouri State University Campus, 900 South Holland, Springfield (just north of the parking garage on Grand and Holland). Park in Lot 20 just north of Strong Hall's circle drive.
WHO: Contact the Center for Archaeological Research at 417-836-5363.
Next Meeting
The Fall 2024 meetings of the Ozarks Chapter will be:
September 4
The Phenix Site: Updates from the 2024 Field School
Dr. Scott Worman and Dr. Elizabeth Sobel, Missouri State University
September 18
A Delightful Dilemma: Urban Landscapes and Consumer Medical Choices in 19th Century Springfield, Illinois
Dr. Emma Verstraete, University of Minnesota
In 19th century urban landscapes it was easier than ever to select medicines that aligned with personal ideas of health and wellness. With dozens of pharmacies and the accessibility of mail order catalogues, consumers were presented with a range of options across town. Springfield, Illinois serves as a case study to highlight the ways individuals and households decided where to purchase medicine in an intensely saturated landscape.
October 2
Controlling Greater Cahokia: Implications of Site Placement and Regional Visibility for Surveillance and Visibility at the First US City
Christopher Bodine, University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies
Modern perceptions of Cahokia are often skewed to the site's core, but recent excavations have revealed a larger and more complex landscape. Further, being visible was an important consideration for the population at Cahokia, with most inhabited habitation sites and isolated mound sites being constructed within view of a primary mound group. These results suggest coordinated decision-making for mound construction, possibly influenced by a centralized power hierarchy connected with dominant socio-religious attitudes.
November 6
Archaeometry Meets Big Data: New Approaches to Old Methods in Southwestern Archaeology
Dr. Jeffery R. Ferguson, Associate Professor of Anthropology and the Archaeometry Laboratory at MURR
The application of analytical chemistry and other scientific techniques to Southwestern Archaeology can reveal detailed information about ancient behavior from trade and exchange to large-scale social interaction. Dr. Ferguson will present two main analytical techniques employed at the Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) with a focus on what we can learn about people in the past. These techniques have been in use for decades and we are looking at ways to synthesize the accumulated data at much larger scales.
November 20
Landscapes of Water and Ritual: Explorations in the Central Maya Lowlands of Guatemala
Dr. Melvin Rodrigo Guzman Piedrasanta, University of Central Florida
For the ancient Maya, water procurement was inextricably tied to the development of complex social power dynamics and ritual practices. Water management was not a standardized practice, recent studies indicate that it was highly variable according to the landscape and the community. The central Maya Lowlands are in the tropical forest of Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. Here, water is available through diverse bodies of water, reservoirs and natural springs. Despite the array of water sources, the drastic difference between dry and rainy season made fresh water a vulnerable resource. From the Middle Preclassic period (1000 – 350 BCE) through the Terminal Classic period (800 – 950 CE), several settlements developed civic-ceremonial centers in the Central Lowlands. Monumental sites like Tikal, Yaxha, La Corona, and modest sized sites like Holtun, among many others, developed as social complex cities in the strategic proximity of water resources. Given this fact, the relationship between the settlements and water resources is a phenomenon that helps our understanding of ancient Maya civilization. For example, the presence of mythological water symbols in sacred places and man-made water features in high status precincts are clear pieces of evidence that illustrate the importance of water management in the maintenance of the ideology and hegemony among the Maya. This presentation focuses on the complexity of water management practices and the symbolism associated with it. These water management practices sustained the development and florescence of ancient Maya civilization.
December 4
The Big Ben Site Revisited
Jack Ray, Missouri State University
An update of research conducted on Late Woodland and Mississippian materials and features from the Big Ben site in Texas County, Missouri.