"Painted" Ramey Knives Page 1

PAGE 1
"Painted" ramey knives
MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE
MADISON CO., ILLINOIS
A.D. 900 TO A.D. 1,200
PAGE 1 OF 2 PAGES
COPYRIGHT SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 PETER A. BOSTROM

RAMEY KNIFE---LOYD SITE
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM COLLECTION

Abstract picture---pigment fragments & Ramey knife surface.

"PAINTED" RAMEY KNIVES
MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE---LOYD SITE
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS

This article illustrates and describes two Ramey knives that were discovered in the wall trench of a house on the Loyd site. Much of the information for this report comes from a recently published report in the "Journal of Archaeological Science" by Mary Vermilion, Mark Krekeler & Lawrence Keeley. The two knives described here are important for the discovery of tiny specks of red and green pigment that were preserved on their surfaces and applied in an "artistic pattern." This is the first time that a detailed study has been done on "painted" Ramey knives. Other "decorated" bifaces have been found on Mississippian sites. The most famous examples are the cedar carved, copper covered and cord wrapped wooden "knives" from Spiro Mounds. The "decorated" bifaces from the Loyd site are intriguing. They present a new theme of discussion that may involve religious mythology. That is, if the mythological descriptions of the "decorated" bifaces from the Central Valley of Mexico are any indication of their purpose. There is no direct cultural connection with the Mississippian culture and the Central Valley of Mexico but there are many similarities that suggest that some contacts of influence were occurring.

    "Of great interest among the lithics are two beautifully executed Ramey knives made from Mill Creek chert---in the wall trench of House 3,"---- 2003, Mary R. Vermilion, "Journal of Archaeological Science," p. 1461.
     "Both noted (James Phillips & Lawrence Keeley) what appeared to be two pigment colors,"---- 2003, Mary R. Vermilion, "Journal of Archaeological Science," p. 1461.
     "The knife form (as compared to Ramey knives) is common on Mixtec sites in Mexico--,"---- 1985, Gregory Perino, "Selected Preforms, Points and knives of the North American Indians," "Ramey Knives," p. 314.

PHOTO CREDIT & COPYRIGHT--ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM
BREAKING GROUND ON THE LOYD SITE---MADISON CO., IL
"PAINTED" RAMEY KNIVES

An important discovery was made several years ago during the excavation of the Loyd site. This Mississippian site was excavated by a team of archaeologists from the Illinois State Museum, the University of Illinois (Urbana) and Southern Illinois University. The most significant discovery was found in one of the house wall trenches. This feature contained a cache of two Ramey knives and an adze. The Ramey knives were later discovered to have residual traces of two different pigments that were applied in an "artistic pattern."

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR LARGE TRIPLE IMAGE
"PAINTED" RAMEY KNIFE
No. A-41:3
LOYD SITE---MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM COLLECTION

This is one of two Ramey knives that were found in the wall trench of a house on the Loyd site. It is designated as A-41:3 and it has more traces of pigment on it than the second Ramey knife designated as B-41:2. This knife has traces of red pigment on the pointed half (distal half) and traces of green pigment on the base half (proximal half). The picture on the left illustrates the locations of plotted pigments. This knife is made of Mill Creek chert and it measures approximately 7 1/2 inches (18.5 cm) long.

Ramey knives are not a commonly found artifact on Mississippian sites. The majority of recorded finds are concentrated around the Cahokia Mounds site area in southern Illinois. Most Ramey knives are made of Mill Creek chert. A few were made of Kaolin chert and still fewer examples were made of Burlington chert.

MAGNIFIED VIEW OF COPPER PIGMENT
ON RAMEY KNIFE A-41.3
LOYD SITE---MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM COLLECTION

This picture shows a magnified view of an example of one of the traces of copper pigment that is still solidly adhering to the surface of Ramey knife A-41:3.

Ramey knives may have been used for both ceremonial and domestic applications. Quite a number of them have been discovered in situations suggesting a ritual purpose. Several examples have been scientifically excavated along with burials. Others, like the two from the Loyd site were buried under the wall of a house. A large percentage of Ramey knives also show no indication that they were ever used for cutting. In-other-words, they have no edge wear.

MAGNIFIED VIEW OF RED OCHRE PIGMENT
ON RAMEY KNIFE A-41.3
LOYD SITE---MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM COLLECTION

This picture shows a magnified view of an example of one of the traces of iron oxide (red ochre) pigment that is still solidly adhering to the surface of Ramey knife A-41:3.

Although a large number of Ramey knives have no apparent use wear, other examples certainly were used for cutting. Some examples were extensively resharpened from the effects of either edge breakage or wear. Other examples also show smoothing of the edges near the base and were probably hafted in some way, possibly with a leather wrapping.

CONTINUE ON TO PAGE TWO

"REFERENCES"

1952, Hamilton, Henry W., "The Spiro Mound," " The Missouri Archaeologist, Vo., 14," pp. 55 & 202.

1963, Perino, Gregory, "Tentative Classification of Two Projectile Points and One Knife from West-Central Illinois," pp. 99-100.
1985, Perino, Gregory, Selected Preforms, Points and Knives of the North American Indians," "Ramey Knives," p. 314.
1992, Gill, S.D., Sullivan, I.F., "Dictionary of Native American Mythology," p. 30.
2003, Vermilion, Mary R., Krekeler, Mark P.S., Keeley, Lawrence H., "Pigment Identification on Two Moorehead Phase Knives From The Loyd Site, A Prehistoric Mississippian Homestead," pp. 1459-1467.
2004, Merriam, Chistopher J. & Larry G., "The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay," pp. 152-157
Personal communications with Mary Vermilion.

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