by Ron L. Harris, Hickory, North Carolina
Volume 71, Number 4, October 2024 Central States Archaeological Journal
One of the briefest cultures of prehistoric America is the so-called Intrusive Mound culture of the Midwest region. This culture lasted from about 650 AD to 1000 AD and derived its name as a result of the burial of their dead in previously existing Hopewell or Copena cultural mounds. The Intrusive Mound culture followed the demise of Hopewell and preceded the Mississippian phase in the 9th century according to archaeologists.
What is mostly known of the Intrusive Mound people is from their type of burial and their unique artifacts found in the prior existing Hopewell mounds. It is believed that these people were familiar with Hopewell as their platform pipes closely resembled theirs. Diagnostic artifacts of this distinctive culture included among other items, platform pipes, stone picks and Jack’s Reef type projectile points.
The Intrusive Mound platform pipes are called “self pipes” since they are designed to be smoked without an additional stem, according to researchers. Most of the pipes were made from a blackish green steatite, found in North Carolina. An example of an Intrusive Mound steatite pipe is shown in Figure 1.
The stone pick is also considered a diagnostic artifact associated with the Intrusive Mound culture. They are made of diorite or granite and in most cases highly polished. Since the Intrusive Mound people frequently buried their dead in the sides of the earthen mounds left by the more ancient Hopewell Culture, it would seem obvious that these picks would have been used for digging burial holes. Although called a “pick” they show no signs of use for digging. Their actual use or application is presently undetermined, although some consider the possibility of being ceremonial. An example of an Intrusive Mound pick is shown in Figure 2.
In the areas inhabited by this culture, which include Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee, the Ohio River Valley,
Figure 2. Intrusive Mound Ceremonial Pick that is 8½” long and highly polished. These date to around 1200–1400 AD. Such examples are quite rare. Found in Auglaize Co., Ohio. Previously collected by Lester Tolliver of Logan, Ohio. The author acquired from Tolliver in 2006. This pick is in the author’s collection and shown in Lar Hothem’s Rare and Unusual Indian Artifacts (2007).
At top: Figure 1. Intrusive Mound Pipe of the late Woodland period dating to around AD 500–1000. It has a Monitor or Urn shaped bowl that is gouged out as evidenced by the gouge marks inside the bowl. It is 3¾” long and the bowl extends 2¼” above the platform form. It is a “self-pipe” meaning no stem was utilized. It was smoked directly from the drilled hole on the platform end. This pipe was recovered on the north bank of the Ohio River. It is believed to have been deposited there as the result of river flooding and erosion of a Woodland site upstream in Ohio. The prior owner Steve Gentry traded for the pipe at a Kentucky gun show in 2003. Subsequently, the author acquired the pipe on 2/24/2020.
At left: Figure 3.
Select examples of Jack’s Reef corner notched, aka Intrusive Mound Points of the Woodland period dating to around 500–1000 AD.
Collection of the author.
Tennessee River Valley and other regional sites, the Jack’s Reef point type is associated with the Intrusive Mound Culture and use the name Intrusive Mound Corner Notch. Examples of the Jack’s Reef/Intrusive Mound Corner Notch points are shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Figure 4. Close view of an exemplary Jack’s Reef corner notch aka Intrusive Mound Point. It is of Normanskill Chert and was found in Washington Co., New York.
Collection of the author.
References:
Berner, John F.
1998 In Pursuit of Artifact Documentation, Prehistoric American Vol. XXII, #1
Hothem, Lar
1989 Indian Axes & Related Stone Artifacts.
Cooper, Steven R.
2008 The Mysterious Intrusive Mound Pick, Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol. 55, #3.
Converse, Robert N.
1978 Ohio Slate Types
Maus, Jim
“The Watauga Ceremonial Pick”