Hello Louis,

This item is a necklace consisting of various shell beads and a prominent shell pendant, likely from the Spiro Mounds, dating back to circa 800-650 BP (Before Present). This period aligns with the Late Mississippian culture, known for its intricate shell artifacts.

Overview of the Spiro Mounds and Artifacts

1. Spiro Mounds:
• Located in eastern Oklahoma, the Spiro Mounds are one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America.
• The site was a major ceremonial center of the Caddoan Mississippian culture, active from around 800 AD to 1450 AD.
• It is renowned for its extensive burial mounds and rich assemblage of artifacts, including shell beads, copper plates, and effigy pottery.
2. Shell Artifacts:
• Shell was a prominent material in the Mississippian culture, used extensively for both utilitarian and ornamental purposes.
• The craftsmanship involved in creating shell beads and pendants was highly sophisticated, often involving detailed carving and drilling.
• These items were typically made from marine shells, despite the inland location of many Mississippian sites, indicating extensive trade networks.
3. Pendant and Beads Description:
• The necklace in the images consists of cylindrical and barrel-shaped beads, suggesting the use of a variety of shell types and shapes.
• The central pendant appears to be a large conch shell or whelk, commonly used for larger ornamental pieces.
• The pendant’s natural form has been minimally modified, highlighting its aesthetic and symbolic value.
• The beads are uniformly drilled and strung, indicating skilled craftsmanship and the importance of such items in the Mississippian culture.
4. Cultural Significance:
• These shell items were not only decorative but also held ceremonial and possibly status-related significance.
• They could have been used in various rituals, traded as high-value goods, or buried with the elite to signify their high status.

Detailed Examination Based on the Image

• Craftsmanship: The beads are meticulously crafted, each with a consistent shape and size, which required significant skill and tools to produce. The central pendant, due to its size and less modified state, was likely a focal piece in both aesthetic and symbolic terms.
• Material: The use of marine shells in an inland site like Spiro reflects not only aesthetic preferences but also complex economic interactions across regions.
• Condition: The condition of the necklace, with well-preserved beads and pendant, indicates careful excavation and storage, providing valuable insights into the techniques and materials used by the Mississippian culture.

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