UAPB archeologist helps update Indian Prehistory exhibit for Jacksonville library

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – Over the past year, Dr. John H. House, Arkansas Archeological Survey Station archeologist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, collaborated in updating an exhibit of local prehistoric Indian artifacts that is currently displayed in the Esther Dewitt Nixon Library in Jacksonville.

Six-thousand year-old Indian dart points found near Jacskonville by Michael K. Wilson. They are made of stone raw materials from diverse geographical locations in Arkansas. Comparable points from archeological sites on the Ouachita River have been radiocarbon dated to around 6,000 years ago.

The artifacts were collected over a period of more than 30 years by Michael K. Wilson on his farm on Bayou Meto in the outskirts of Jacksonville. Wishing to share his discoveries, Mr. Wilson had exhibited the artifacts in the library lobby. He contacted Dr. House for help in updating the exhibit in terms of current archeological knowledge.

The updated exhibit displays stone projectile points (dart and arrow points) from distinct prehistoric eras ranging from 11,000 to 400 years ago. The exhibit also interprets changing prehistoric life and technology, and exchange among prehistoric Indians throughout Arkansas and beyond.

Dr. House directs the Arkansas Archeological Survey Research Station at UAPB and also teaches in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The Esther Dewitt Nixon Library, a unit of the Central Arkansas Library System, is located 703 W. Main Street in Jacksonville. The library is open 9:30 a.m. – 8p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9:30a.m. – 6p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information about the exhibit, contact the Esther Dewitt Nixon Library at 501-457-5038 or the Arkansas Archeological Survey, UAPB Station, at 870-535-4509 or jhhouse@uark.edu.