ARCHEOLOGY COLLECTION
This collection features prehistoric and historic archeological specimens from donations, for other state and federal agencies, and materials recovered at the Historical Society's archeology research projects. It comprises one of the largest and most comprehensive material cultural collections from the Kansas region, documenting more than 10,000 years of human occupation in the central plains.
Archeology Collection
Human Effigy Head
This ceramic head is Kansas' oldest fired clay artifact. It is called an effigy, modeled with human facial features: eyes, nose, wrinkled forehead. A narrow headband can be seen in the dashes at the top. The effigy measures just over two inches high.
An early community lived in the Flint Hills region, which today is Morris County. Their large campsites provided homes between seasonal hunting trips. They used stone, bone, and copper tools in their daily lives. Their use of pottery was limited to small objects. The effigy was among items found by archeologists in the 1960s, in advance of construction for the Council Grove Lake.
Kansas Memory
Find samples in our online digital archives
How to Access this Collection
This collection is not open to the general public. It may be available to researchers with prior scheduling. Please use this form to request specific topics and collections.
An online archeology catalog is not available.
Select items in this collection are available through Kansas Memory:
How to Purchase Images of Items in this Collection
Some images of items in this collection are available for purchase.
Please use this form to place an order.
How to Donate to this Collection
We rely on the generous donations of materials that tell the story of Kansas history. Donations of archeological materials for curation should follow certain Standards for the Curation of Archeological Materials. Individuals, institutions, organizations, or agencies proposing to curating materials at the Historical Society can use this form to provide further information.
