Archaeology: Native Peoples of Tennessee

Over three years in the making, this new permanent exhibition, Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee, opened on 23 September 2000. Recognizing the world-class status of its archaeological collections, the Museum has fulfilled a long-range plan to install a state-of-the-art, comprehensive exhibition whose quality and significance will make it a "destination attraction" for visitors from near and far.

The results of more than 65 years of research by University of Tennessee archaeologists form the basis for the exhibition.

With the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1933, there arose an immediate concern for the thousands of prehistoric and historic Native American sites that would be inundated by reservoirs along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. In 1934, the University of Tennessee (and the University of Alabama) entered into agreements with TVA to conduct archaeological surveys, investigations, and excavations in the reservoir areas to be impacted, prior to their inundation.

From 1934 to 1942, ten reservoirs were constructed on the Tennessee River and its tributaries, and archaeological work was conducted in nine of them -- Norris, Wheeler, Pickwick, Guntersville, Chickamauga, Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun, Douglas, Cherokee, and Kentucky Reservoirs; no archaeological work was done in Cherokee Reservoir. Hundreds of sites were recorded, and archaeologists from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, exposed and excavated more than 1.5 million square feet of prehistoric and historic Native American occupations.

PHOTO GALLERY

CEDAR LOG STEPS (1934).
(42K)
Excavations at the Cox Site in Anderson County, Tennessee, exposed cedar log steps leading to the summit of a Mississippian Period mound.

T.M.N. LEWIS (1934).
(38K)
Seated in the University of Tennessee archaeology lab, T.M.N. Lewis is surrounded by material from excavations made at a site in Union County, Tennessee, prior to the inundation of Norris Reservoir.

EXCAVATION OF A LATE MISSISSIPPIAN MOUND (1935).
(36K)
This site, in Roane County, Tennessee, was later covered by Watts Bar Lake. Much of the archaeology in Tennessee between 1934 and 1942 was part of the federal relief effort of the Depression years.

POST HOLE TRENCHES (1939).
(40K)
Multiple post hole trenches indicate that the walls of this 700-year-old house at the Williams site in Henry County, Tennessee, were rebuilt several times. Excavations were part of the Kentucky Lake Project.

The results of these massive investigations, along with subsequent work in other reservoirs -- such as Nickajack, Tims Ford, Barkley, Melton Hill, Normandy, Columbia, and Tellico -- are housed at the University of Tennessee. The McClung Museum and the Department of Anthropology maintain a research collection of several million artifacts collected during professional archaeological excavations of sites in Tennessee. These -- along with the associated field notes, forms, analysis sheets, drawings, photographs, and correspondence -- comprise a research base for southeastern Indian studies of international significance. The material forms one of the most important research collections in the eastern United States, and many of the objects rank among the finest examples of prehistoric Native American art. Some of the finest objects representing the 12,000-year occupation of Tennessee by Native Americans are displayed in this exhibition.

THE EXHIBITION

Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee provides an exceptional in-depth view of the incredibly rich Native American heritage in the State of Tennessee and the archaeological work that has assisted in understanding that past.

EXPERIENCE THE STORY OF 500 GENERATIONS

The exhibit occupies 3,200 square feet on the main floor of the Museum. Visitors enter from the lobby through an introductory walkway where a large topographic map of Tennessee reveals through fiberoptic lights the many excavated sites that form the database for the story about to be told. Two short videos explain the science of archaeology and summarize the history of archaeology in the State.

The exhibition traces the last 12,000-15,000 years of Native American occupation of Tennessee, using many of the artifacts from the collections, along with photographs, artists' renderings, and models.

Archaeologists divide the human presence in Tennessee into the following five periods; each reflects both a time span and a set of cultural characteristics:

In the main exhibit space, a series of ramps and platforms takes the visitor from the arrival of humans in Tennessee through each of the five cultural periods.

Among the visual highlights of the exhibit are five life-size color murals by the nationally known painter, Greg Harlin. These are arranged around the gallery in each of the five cultural periods, providing dramatic glimpses into the past.

Within each of the five cultural areas are exhibit cases and displays that combine artifacts and images to present the changing lifeways of the Native Peoples and address the topics of society, technology, biology, subsistence, trade, ritual and art. Pull-out study drawers permit the visitor to learn more about specific kinds of artifacts, such as projectile points, pipes, pottery, trade beads, and other topics, including plant domestication, mound building, and cave art.

At the end of the exhibit, one enters a mini-theater where a 13-minute video, "We Endure: The Journey of the Cherokee," summarizes the prehistory of Tennessee and addresses the complex events and issues of Euro-American settlement and the impact and response of the Native Peoples. Since Native People are very much alive today, the video and other displays illustrate how these cultures continue, enriching Tennessee and the Nation.

In the center of the exhibit is an Education Area where five hands-on interactives provide opportunities to learn more about archaeology and Native Peoples. Fun and educational for children and adults alike, these five areas are:

The open space is also used for docent-led school group instruction. Additional information on McClung Museum school programs is available on our Education Programs Webpage.

CREDITS

Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee is presented by the Lucille S. Thompson Family Foundation and the cultural resource stewardship provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

SPONSORS: Aslan Foundation, Raymond and Mary Baker Foundation, Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville, WBIR-TV, Knox County, Pilot Corporation, Chapman Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Newell, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Haslam III, Dr. and Mrs. Ray M. Hayworth, William B. Stokely, Jr. Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Kent C. Withers, and Humanities Tennessee.

CONTRIBUTORS: BellSouth, East Tennessee Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh D. Faust III, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Martin, and Scripps Networks.

SELECTED WEB RESOURCES

Anthropology Resources on the Internet

ArchNet

Discovering the Ancient Southeast - Additional Reading

GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online)

"Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842" is a full-text database containing over 1,000 documents and images relating to the Native American population of the Southeastern United States from the collections of the University of Georgia Libraries, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville Library, the Frank H. McClung Museum, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives. The documents are comprised of letters, legal proceedings, military orders, financial papers, and archaeological images relating to Native Americans in the Southeast.

For additional information, to browse the documents, or to search the database:

Access the GALILEO Homepage.

Select DIGITAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA.

Select SOUTHEASTERN NATIVE AMERICAN DOCUMENTS, 1730-1842.

Society for American Archaeology

Tennessee Archaeology Net

		Paleoindian Period - 10,000+ to 8000 BC
		Archaic Period - 8000 to 1000 BC
		Woodland Period - 1000 BC to AD 1000
		Mississippian Period - AD 1000 to 1600
		Historic Period - AD 1600 to present

ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE NATIVE PEOPLES OF TENNESSEE

BACKGROUND

PHOTO GALLERY

THE EXHIBITION

EXPERIENCE THE STORY OF 500 GENERATIONS

CREDITS

SELECTED WEB RESOURCES