MARINE SHELL MASK
GORGET
LATE PREHISTORIC
SOUTH DAKOTA
DONATED TO BEAR BUTTE STATE PARK
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   This is the smaller of the two shell masks from

South Dakota. It was found sometime in the

1960's on a talus slope on an important natural
landmark located north of the Black Hills called

Bear Butte. This site has a strong connection to

many Plains groups who consider it to be a

sacred location. Dr. Jim Fox of Invertebrate

Paleontology, SD School of Mines & Tec., Rapid

City, SD believes there is a chance that the shell
this mask is made of could be a fossil gastropod.

Only chemical analysis could determine if it is a

fossil or a recent shell. This mask is in good
condition but it has lost its original shine or luster.

It measures 5 3/16 inches ( 13.2 cm) long and

4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm) wide.

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