PRESIDENT'S PAGE
Lately I have been highly recommending the relatively new exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago called "The Ancient Americas". It has taken me a couple of years to take the time to visit the museum but it was well worth it. The exhibit opened about four years ago and covers 19,000 square feet on the main floor, and replaces most of the outdated exhibits which I'd seen for the last 50 years. In the displays of Clovis material are many points I had only heard about which have been in storage since the 30's. The Hopewell display is arguably the best in the world - you just can't believe what they have, especially in cut copper objects! The display of Anasazi black on white pottery is the best I have seen anywhere. There are a few flaws and mislabels but overall it is quite impressive, and the best thing they've done in years.
In other news, the repatriation of North American ancient human remains and objects appears to be escalating: by Federal law tribal groups no longer have to prove ancestral links - current tribes can claim bones and objects based strictly on a geographical link to the sites from which the items were originally taken. In a recent conversation I had with a state archaeologist, it appears the University of Michigan will be returning all remains and objects that fit these criteria, including everything from the Knight site in Calhoun County, Illinois. It is a situation worth paying attention to as sites like Dickson Mounds and Cahokia would also be affected, and it is my understanding that they will, or may already, have submitted artifacts inventories to tribal groups.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Collinsville show in March and at all the rest of the Illinois shows throughout the year. Happy Hunting!
Ray
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
As February winds down we're now starting to look towards the warmer weather that spring brings. With the warmer weather comes the Collinsville show which is held every March in Collinsville, Illinois. This show is graciously hosted by Terry Stumpf who has written a short synopsis of what to expect. I would like to add a few notes of my own and create a preview for those of you who are planning on, or might be thinking about, attending. My intent is to pique the interest of those of you who may not have attended previously and entice you to put it on your calendar for this year.
The Collinsville show is held at the Gateway Center which is a prime location for a variety of reasons. First, there are an abundance of hotels within walking distance of the Gateway Center. You can literally leave your room and walk to the show within a matter of a couple of minutes. Next, there are several eateries within close proximity, serving foods for most any appetite, including my personal favorite Bandanas BBQ. Gateway is easily accessible from the interstate by taking exit 11 on I-55/70. One of the best parts about the show is it's located within a couple of miles from Cahokia Mounds which is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in North America. For those who have never been to Cahokia, I highly encourage you to pay this magnificent site a visit. Finally, Collinsville is located about 11 miles from downtown St. Louis which provides a plethora of entertainment possibilities.
While staying at one of the nearby hotels you will undoubtedly find artifact collectors hanging out in the lobbies, bouncing from room to room, or otherwise gathering to visit about relics. In the past few years I have been fortunate enough to meet some great people from Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky. All those folks were there to attend the show and stopped down for a visit and to discuss the day's happenings among other things. Many times you will find someone with a frame or two of artifacts pulled out and a gathering of enthusiasts ensues. The conversations and visiting outside of the show is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the whole Collinsville weekend experience.
Now that you've found the Gateway Center, gotten a room, filled your belly, and visited with some relic folks it's time to pay a visit to the show. If this is your first time entering the show's doors prepare to be amazed at the massive amount of artifacts on display. You will find some of the best pieces known in private hands displayed by some of the most well-known collectors in the country. There are artifacts from all over the United States; however, the Midwest, Illinois, and Missouri are most heavily represented. Terry was kind enough to provide a partial list of collectors who are planning on displaying. Also available for purchase at the show are a variety of display cases and collector tools including many reference books, magnification products, and magazine subscriptions. Along with reference books comes the knowledge and experience of some of the top collectors in the United States who are often more than willing to share their expertise.
It's quite tough to explain how great of a time the Collinsville show is every year. I've tried to provide a brief summary of what you can expect. However, the best way to experience the show is in person. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Even if you can't make it for the entire weekend it's worth the trip for any amount of time you can spare. I sincerely hope to see you there.
Best Regards,Jeff Hipskind
ISAS NEWS
Collinsville 2012 by Show Host Terry Stumpf
The Collinsville, Illinois Prehistoric Artifact Show is scheduled for March 17-18, 2012 with exhibitor setup on Friday March16 from 5pm to 9pm. A three day pass will be available at the door for those wishing to join in on the Friday evening fun.
This year several changes have been made that are sure to make this our very best show to date.
Highlights include: Archaeologist Tom Loebel, PhD will on site conducting his extensive Clovis and Paleo research. The Illinois State Archaeological Society encourages everyone to bring their unrecorded Paleo material for inclusion in this very important work.
The Illinois State Archaeological Survey and the University of Illinois will be offering the new point posters along with archaeological publications that include the Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program reports.
Dave Kilander will be exhibiting items from his recent work excavating two Mastodon and a Prehistoric Musk Ox from the peat bog in Indiana. Dr. Richard Sisson will be traveling from New Mexico to join Steve Hart of Indiana to exhibit their wonderful Hopewell pipe and Hopewell Figurine collections from Illinois. Several major collectors as well as numberous personal find collectors are planning for their best displays ever.
A partial list of scheduled exhibitors:
Tom Amble St.Paul,MN-- Jim Beer Monroe, WI-- Steve Boles Waterloo, IL-- Rickey Brumfield Tell City, IN-- John Mark Clark Clarksville, TN-- David DeTar Newbert Kansas City, MO-- Jim Felke Rochester, IN-- Phil Foley Ruddles Miles, KY-- Lonnie Hartline Eufaula, OK-- Jeff Hipskind Rock Island, IL-- Sam Johnson Murfreesboro, AR-- Bill Koup Albuquerque,NM-- David Lutz Newburgh, IN-- Robert Mathias Crown Point, IN-- Maurey Meadows Bethany, MO-- John Pafford Clarksville, TN-- Dave Scott Manchester, OH-- Randall Kinbrell Albion, IL-- Tony Stein Kansas City,MO-- Jeb Taylor Buffalo, WY-- Paul Welton Mattoon,IL-- Kent Westbrook Little Rock, AK--
Ron Baumhardt Springfield, IL-- Jim Bickel Huntington, IN-- John Brooks Marshfield, MO-- Scott Carruthers Peru, IL-- Steve Conrad Peru, IL-- Steve Elwood Decorah, IA-- Bruce Filbrandt McNabb, IL-- Steve and Janet Gobeli Monroe, WI-- Andy Havens Collinsville, IL-- Kevin Jerome St. Charles, MO-- Ron Knight Signal Mountain, TN-- Don Lewis Flora, IL-- James Marlin Millstadt, IL-- Terry McGuire Chicago, IL-- Greg Moore Rhome, TX-- John Richardson, Checotah, OK-- Jeff Smith Frankfort, IN-- Jim Spears Franklin, KY-- Jeff and Jim Steiner Plymouth, WI-- Tim Terwelp Mendon, IL-- Brian Wrage Atlanta, IL-- Dennis DeRosear Hamilton, IL-
This is an event not to be missed. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there,
Terry
A word from your Secretary Treasurer:
Well we are already in February 2012 and getting ready for the Collinsville Show in March. Time seems to fly. With the mild winter and the lack of snow we are having, I am sure a lot of our members have been walking some of their sites.
Membership renewals have been coming in for 2012, we currently have 332 members paid for 2012. Of the 332 members, 22 are new. Last year we had a total of 397 members, which means there at least 87 members who have not paid their dues for 2012. Get your dues to me ASAP so you will receive your journals in a timely manner. Late membership dues cost the society money as the journals you are missing have to be mailed by our society and with the cost of postage today, the expense to our society can add up. I know I will be getting membership applications at the Collinsville show. There are four membership lists that are sent to the CSAS throughout the year. The first one was Dec. 1, 2011 and the second list must be received by the CSAS on March 15, 2012, which means I have to mail the list at least five days prior. CSAS sends the January issue with the April issue, so if you are on the 2nd list you will not receive your January issue until April.
As of Feb. 10, 2012, we have $18,057.45 in the ISAS bank account. We currently have $16,439.57 in a CD. On January 28, 2012, our society gave grant money in the amount of $935.00 to help Archaeologist Tom Loebel with the cost of doing illustrations of 34 artifacts from the DeWuff Site. The money went to Sarah Moore Illustration Services. Tom will be doing a report on the DeWuff Site for the ISAS in the near future and will show how the illustrations are being used.
Be sure to visit our web site: www.illinoisstatearchaeologicalsociety.org, also: Facebook- Illinois State Archaeological Society (ISAS). Thanks to our Webmaster Paula Grabin.
Duane Treest
ISAS Sec/Treas.
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