Pointing it out: Siloam Springs museum displays local Indian artifacts

Artifacts collected locally tell archaeologists the area of the Illinois River valley and today's Northwest Arkansas were used by Caddo Indians, says Don Warden, director of the Siloam Springs Museum. The first European contact with Caddoan people was recorded in south Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, he says, but the collection of Roy Chesney (1886-1957) supports the Northwest Arkansas connection.

The museum is offering a temporary exhibit, "Prehistory of Arkansas," featuring the collection of Chesney. Chesney grew up on a farm in the Siloam Springs area and worked in insurance and real estate. But his hobby was collecting "points" -- which probably began more than 100 years ago, Warden says.

"Points" lumps together several common artifacts -- arrowhead points, spear points, darts -- "projectile points," Warden says. Research over the years enabled archaeologists to identify the type of the point, by its shape and base point, as well as when it was made and from what culture it came.

"Crossroads From the Past," a panel exhibit from the Arkansas Humanities Council, gives an overview of Arkansas Indians from prehistory to history. The panels will be on display through Dec. 19, Warden says.

Points from many different tribes have been found by many people throughout the valley of the Illinois River, which runs just a few miles east of Siloam Springs. The Caddo developed farmsteads in the valley. In the 18th century, Osage supposedly hunted the hills, Warden says. Cherokee migrated to the area beginning about 1800.

In addition to the exhibit, the museum presents George Sabo, director of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, speaking about Arkansas Indians at 2 p.m. Saturday. He also will identify points and other stone tools brought by visitors.

-- Laurinda Joenks

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NAN What's Up on 12/11/2015