Chucalissa Indian Village (40 SY 1) is Mississippian culture archaeological site dating back to the 15th century. The site is located in the city of Memphis in West Tennessee. Chucalissa is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
[edit] Description
The Walls Phase and some of its associated sites
Chucalissa is a Walls Phase mound and plaza complex that was occupied, abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history, spanning from 1000 to 1550 CE. It is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Other contemporaneous groups in the area include the Parkin Phase, Menard Phase, and the Nodena Phase. It is known for the well preserved architectural, floral, faunal, and human osteological remains excavated there. During the early 1540s the Hernando de Soto Expedition passed through the area, stopping at many villages along the way. It is thought that the Walls phase may be the Province of Quizquiz encountered by de Soto on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is unlikely that Chucalissa itself was visited by the expedition, as it is thought to have been abandoned at the time.[4]
[edit] Modern museum
Civilian Conservation Corps workers discovered Native American artifacts on the site in 1938 and archaeological excavations of this Mississippian mound complex were initiated. The facility has been operated by the University of Memphis since 1962.[5]
In 1973 Chucalissa Indian Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[2] Later, in 1994, it was declared a National Historic Landmark.[1][3] The museum, named after its founding director, curates an extensive collection of artifacts recovered during a 40-year period of systematic excavations. The site features a Mississippian mound complex, nature trail and arboretum, hands-on archaeology lab, and exhibits that explore the history and life-ways of Native Americans of the historic and prehistoric southeastern United States.
Chucalissa is the site of the Southeast Indian Heritage Festival held annually in October.[6][7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Gerald P. Smith, Charles McNutt, and Mark R. Barnes (January 29, 1993) (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Chucalissa Site / 40SY1, National Park Service, http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/73001830.pdf, retrieved 2009-06-22 and Accompanying eight photos, aerial, site, and artifacts, from 1970, 1980, 1987, 1990, and undatedPDF (1.02 MB)
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b "Chucalissa Site". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1390&ResourceType=Site. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ Charles H. McNutt, ed. (1996). Prehistory of the Central Mississippi Valley. University of Alabama Press. pp. 241–253.
- ^ C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa website http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/ Accessed August 2009
- ^ University of Memphis's press release on the 2008 Southeast Indian Heritage Festival http://www.memphis.edu/releases/oct08/indianheritage.htm Accessed August 2009
- ^ C.H. Nash Museum website "About" page: http://www.memphis.edu/chucalissa/about.htm Accessed August 2009
[edit] External links
|
|
|
| Archaeological cultures |
|
|
| Archaeological sites |
|
|
| Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Topics |
|
|
| Lists by states |
|
|
| Lists by territories |
|
|
| Lists by associated states |
|
|
| Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Memphis topics |
|
|
|
| Memphis districts |
|
|
Memphis
neighborhoods |
|
|
Memphis
metro area
landmarks |
|
|
Memphis
metro area
suburbs |
|
|
| Metro area counties |
|
|
