Back in time. . .
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Flat stones were used to grind wild plant foods and in later times, corn flour. The grit left behind was very hard on the teeth. |
| Effigy Mound people decorated their pottery vessels with fabric or cord impressions. The shape, surface treatment, clay and tempering material of each prehistoric group are distinctive. |  |
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Even sherds from broken pots have distinctive traits which can be used in identifying cultures and time periods. This type shows us that it was made by Effigy Mounds peoples. We call it "Madison Ware" for reference. |
| Thousands of clam shells have been found at summer living sites along the river. They are also found in burial mounds. |  |
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The New Albin Tablet-- Inscribed catlinite tablets such as this are rare. This is one of the finest ever found. It was discovered in 1915 in New Albin, Iowa during the excavation of a basement. Mr. Harry Orr, Waukon, Iowa, donated the specimen to the National Park Service in 1960. Similar tablets have been found elsewhere in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. The engraved "birdman" motif is common to several of the tablets. Their purpose is unknown today. |