The most impressive stone artifacts left behind by the Mississippian culture are the large stone sculptures. These items are represented either as pipes or free standing images like the examples from Etowah. Emerson reports that"----it is possible to distinguish two distinct styles of such sculpture. One of these styles seems to have its greatest concentration in the Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky area--." Also that "The other style epitomized by the large, bauxite (flint clay) effigies from the Spiro site in Oklahoma, is characterized by a highly developed, realistic portrayal of human or near-human figures. The emphasis seems to be on portrayal of figures dressed in specific costumes and/or carrying out specific acts or deeds." (Emerson 1982: 2).

BACK VIEW OF FEMALE MARBLE STATUE
ETOWAH MOUNDS SITE
MOUND C, BURIAL 15
A.D. 1250--1375
EARLY TO LATE WILBANKS PHASE

This picture shows the back of the female marble statue from Etowah. Quite a lot of detail was carved to show cloths, head dress and an object on the back. Two parallel lines around the waist represents a belt that holds a skirt. The hair appears to be covered with some type of material, like a scarf, or a more elaborate type of headdress. There is also a pack like object on the back that may represent hair that is tied or something else. This marble statue measures 22 inches (55.9cm) high.

The Etowah statues were obviously important to the people who made them. They were certainly carved by a skilled craftsman who probably made other sculpted stone or wood statues during his lifetime. Without an oral history or written documents by the people who made them, their exact purpose will probably always remain a mystery. They may have been representations of lineage ancestors of the ruling class or they may represent some type of mythology such as the beings who created the first humans.

BACK VIEW OF MALE MARBLE STATUE
ETOWAH MOUNDS SITE
MOUND C, BURIAL 15
A.D. 1250--1375
EARLY TO LATE WILBANKS PHASE

This picture shows the back of the large male figure from Mound C at Etowah. This figure is sitting with legs crossed. The most detailed area of carving is the hair. There seems to be some type of elaborate headdress with a large round hair knot tied at the back. This marble statue measures 24 inches (61cm) high.

Mississippian artisans used primitive tools to make their ceremonial objects. They didn't have hard metal tools to carve stone until European traders began bringing them in. The only metal they used was copper but that was to soft for sculpting marble. The Etowah marble statues would have been shaped with hammerstones by pecking the surface into shape and with abrasive materials such as sandstone to finish the surface.

SIDE VIEWS OF MARBLE STATUES
ETOWAH MOUNDS SITE
MOUND C, BURIAL 15
A.D. 1250--1375
EARLY TO LATE WILBANKS PHASE

The two pictures above show side views of the male and female marble statues from Etowah. Both have similar ear designs that are painted red with red ochre. Both images also have large lips that are slightly drawn away from the teeth that are showing. The female is indicated with large breasts while the male has a flat chest. The head ornamentation is very detailed on each figure. The male has a large hair knot behind the head. The female has what appears to be a band of material that flows down from the right side to a pack-like object. Some remnants of dark pigment can also be seen on the face and chest area of both statures.

The two painted marble statues from Mound C were important to the people who used them 625 to 750 years ago. They're an important legacy that is helping to understand the people who once lived in northwestern Georgia at that time. These artifacts are also important because "without cultural identity nothing remains of the people."

VISIT ETOWAH MOUNDS

The Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site contains six earthen mounds. Mound A is one of the tallest in the country and there is a spectacular view from the top. The site also contains a museum where the extraordinary painted marble statues illustrated in this article can be seen. Other facilities include a gift shop and riverside benches. (Note: The statues are currently in the process of being returned from the "Hero, Hawks, and Open Hands" exhibit 5-31-05)

HOURS:

Tuesday to Saturday---9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Sunday 2:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Closed Monday (except holidays)
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
Closed Tuesday when open on Monday

ADMISSION:

Charge for admission is $2.50 to $4.00

"REFERENCES"

1930, Shetrone, Henry Clyde, "The Mound - Builders," pp. 123-125.
1957, Fundaburk, Emma Lila & Foreman, Mary Douglass Fundaburk, "Sun Circles And Human Hands," p. 150.
1979, Moorehead, Warren King, Etowah Papers," p. 14, p. 15 & pp. 75-76.
1982, Emerson, Thomas E., "Mississippian Stone Images In Illinois," p. 2.
1983, Folsom, Franklin and Mary, "America's Ancient Treasures," pp. 224-226.
2004, Townsend, Richard, " Hero, Hawk, And Open Hand," King, Adam, "Power And The Sacred: Mound C And The Etowah Chiefdom," pp. 154-155.

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