The River Bend Site (48NA202) in Wyoming is a remarkable archaeological find. It reveals compelling accounts of Native American adornment practices at the dawn of the European contact period. Excavation of River Bend started in the 1970s to save its historical importance before construction bulldozed the region. The site experienced continuous, active occupation from AD 1700-1750. Dr. Spencer Pelton and his colleagues have just finished an intensive analysis of the artifacts recovered from the site. From this, they revealed a very deep collection in order to share the cultural exchanges and practices of that time.
This archaeological treasure trove includes more than 5,000 bone, stone, ocher, metal, shell, and antler artifacts. Experts believe that River Bend possesses the richest adornment assemblage in Wyoming, showcasing an intricate blend of pre-contact and post-contact material culture. These findings leave little doubt that the site was likely occupied by the Shoshone. Recent archaeological excavation revealed a wealth of artifacts directly connecting Nave to this musical heritage.
Rich Artifact Assemblage
Our assemblage at River Bend Site has wonderful examples of different types of inside adornments. These items were ubiquitous among early Great Plains cultures and other societies across North America. Significantly, shell disk beads were known from the site, being widely used as personal ornaments. Archaeologists found shell pendants buried with the beads at the site. This discovery has intrigued scientists, in large part due to the fact that similar objects are not recorded in contemporary photographs from the era.
We set abnormally high standards before and throughout the excavation process. Yet, almost 75% of the River Bend Site has been erased through time. Our recent analysis sought to reconstruct the story of this site despite gaps in the available data and missing artifacts. Dr. Pelton explained the challenges faced during research:
“River Bend was excavated with high standards, but the collection had been neglected for about 30 years prior to our involvement.”
Dr. Pelton and his research team believe that the River Bend Site represents a key transitional period in Native American culture. They documented evidence of pre-contact and post-contact materials being utilized at the site. The abundance of tri-notched arrow points—a type frequently found on Shoshone sites—adds to this speculation. The artifacts uncovered at the location provide important scientific information regarding cultural adaptation. They seek to illuminate the exchange that took place once Europe made contact with the Americas.
“Collections research always requires doing some ‘archaeology of archaeology’ to piece things back together. It wasn’t in horrible shape, but there were labels missing from artifacts, field notes missing (or undiscovered), and other pretty common things that happen to collections when they’re housed in labs rather than a repository.”
Transitional Cultural Phase
Metal objects were well represented in the assemblage at River Bend. Our analysis demonstrates that shell bead production must have included the use of metal awls. Dr. Pelton highlighted the significance of these findings:
The adoption of metal technology transformed all aspects of fairly mundane everyday life for Indigenous people. Dr. Pelton elaborated on the nature of these trade items:
“We haven’t yet found awls like this at other sites, but it seems to be among the first types of items from these early contact era sites.”
The River Bend Site provides valuable insight into long-distance trade practices among Native Americans as well. The occupants of River Bend engaged in trade to acquire marine gastropod shells, specifically Olivella sp., which were not locally available. The recovery of steatite, or soapstone, underlines intercultural connections among diverse cultural groups. This cultural material is usually found far outside the Shoshone heartland, highlighting its place in regional trade networks.
“Things like metal awls, needles, knives, kettles, and axes. Once metal arrowheads started to be made, chisels and files for their production also became popular trade items.”
Evidence of Long-Distance Trade
Dr. Pelton remarked on the implications of these findings regarding trade and interaction among Native American tribes:
The discoveries at River Bend Site highlight a complex web of cultural exchange that was occurring in Wyoming during the 1700s. To comply with regulations and still peacefully protest, Native American communities found innovative ways to modify their adornment methods. They adapted materials, technologies, and designs introduced by contact with European settlers.
“The original investigator, Carolyn Buff (a co-author on this study), thought it might be Shoshone based on several of the recovered artifacts, including the point types, steatite, and teshoas.”
The discoveries at River Bend Site highlight a complex web of cultural exchange that was occurring in Wyoming during the 1700s. They reveal how Native American communities adapted their adornment practices in response to new materials available through trade with European settlers.