Archaeology & the Native Peoples of Tennessee
RESEARCH NOTES: Prehistoric American Indians in Tennessee | PDF Version
Background
Over three years in the making, this new permanent exhibition, Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee, opened on 23 September 2000. Recognizing the world-class status of its archaeological collections, the Museum has fulfilled a long-range plan to install a state-of-the-art, comprehensive exhibition whose quality and significance will make it a "destination attraction" for visitors from near and far.
The results of more than 65 years of research by University of Tennessee archaeologists form the basis for the exhibition.
With the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1933, there arose an immediate concern for the thousands of prehistoric and historic Native American sites that would be inundated by reservoirs along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. In 1934, the University of Tennessee (and the University of Alabama) entered into agreements with TVA to conduct archaeological surveys, investigations, and excavations in the reservoir areas to be impacted, prior to their inundation.
From 1934 to 1942, ten reservoirs were constructed on the Tennessee River and its tributaries, and archaeological work was conducted in nine of them -- Norris, Wheeler, Pickwick, Guntersville, Chickamauga, Watts Bar, Fort Loudoun, Douglas, Cherokee, and Kentucky Reservoirs; no archaeological work was done in Cherokee Reservoir. Hundreds of sites were recorded, and archaeologists from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, exposed and excavated more than 1.5 million square feet of prehistoric and historic Native American occupations.
The results of these massive investigations, along with subsequent work in other reservoirs -- such as Nickajack, Tims Ford, Barkley, Melton Hill, Normandy, Columbia, and Tellico -- are housed at the University of Tennessee. The McClung Museum and the Department of Anthropology maintain a research collection of several million artifacts collected during professional archaeological excavations of sites in Tennessee. These -- along with the associated field notes, forms, analysis sheets, drawings, photographs, and correspondence -- comprise a research base for southeastern Indian studies of international significance. The material forms one of the most important research collections in the eastern United States, and many of the objects rank among the finest examples of prehistoric Native American art. Some of the finest objects representing the 12,000-year occupation of Tennessee by Native Americans are displayed in this exhibition.
The Exhibition
Experience the story of 500 generations.
Archaeology and the Native Peoples of Tennessee provides an exceptional in-depth view of the incredibly rich Native American heritage in the State of Tennessee and the archaeological work that has assisted in understanding that past.
The exhibit occupies 3,200 square feet on the main floor of the Museum. Visitors enter from the lobby through an introductory walkway where a large topographic map of Tennessee reveals through fiberoptic lights the many excavated sites that form the database for the story about to be told. Two short videos explain the science of archaeology and summarize the history of archaeology in the State.
The exhibition traces the last 12,000-15,000 years of Native American occupation of Tennessee, using many of the artifacts from the collections, along with photographs, artists' renderings, and models.
In the main exhibit space, a series of ramps and platforms takes the visitor from the arrival of humans in Tennessee through each of the five cultural periods.
Among the visual highlights of the exhibit are five life-size color murals by the nationally known painter, Greg Harlin. These are arranged around the gallery in each of the five cultural periods, providing dramatic glimpses into the past.
Within each of the five cultural areas are exhibit cases and displays that combine artifacts and images to present the changing lifeways of the Native Peoples and address the topics of society, technology, biology, subsistence, trade, ritual and art. Pull-out study drawers permit the visitor to learn more about specific kinds of artifacts, such as projectile points, pipes, pottery, trade beads, and other topics, including plant domestication, mound building, and cave art.
At the end of the exhibit, one enters a mini-theater where a 13-minute video, "We Endure: The Journey of the Cherokee," summarizes the prehistory of Tennessee and addresses the complex events and issues of Euro-American settlement and the impact and response of the Native People. Since Native People are very much alive today, the video and other displays illustrate how their cultures continue, enriching Tennessee and the Nation.
In the center of the exhibit is an Education Area where five hands-on interactives provide opportunities to learn more about archaeology and Native Peoples. Fun and educational for children and adults alike, these five areas are:
- "How Old Is It?"
- "What Remains?"
- "From Parts to a Whole"
- "Tools to Tasks"
- "Native American Use of White Tail Deer"
The open space is also used for docent-led school group instruction. Additional information on McClung Museum school programs is available on our Education Programs Webpage.