Merriam Station Books
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The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay
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The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay
Photographs from the collection of Dr. Robert E. Bell
By Larry and Christopher Merriam
Colorful 8 1/2" X 11" Hardback Cover
400 High Quality Glossy pages
161 Full-Page B&W Photos
Hundreds of artifacts shown
This book uses the latest interpretations to detail the history of this important Southeast Ceremonial Complex site. First person accounts from eye-witnesses, archaeologists, reporters, and the Pocolo Miners themselves help put the digging of the mound in its historical context.
The full-color cover features an original painting of the mound as it might have looked 550 years ago after the site was abandoned. Three key Spiro artifacts are shown in color in the sky above the mound. These artifacts are also shown in color on the back cover (3 views of the Big Boy Pipe), inside front cover (nearly life-size version of the Bell-Townsend-Onken Blade) and inside back cover (the rarely pictured Alibates Mace from the Smithsonian collection).
The Introduction presents the history of the mound using new illustrations and maps to describe its construction between 950 to 1450 AD, its destruction between 1933 to 1941 and finally its reconstruction in the 1970s. The archaeological history of the mound is told using contemporary accounts to capture the realities of that time period (the Great Depression ).
The major portion of the book features 161 full-page B&W Photographs from the collection of Dr. Robert E. Bell with captions on each facing page. These pictures contain over 4000 artifacts, 3000 in one photo alone. The collection histories of the pictured artifacts are traced from the mound to their current location where data was available. Also shown are diggers, dealers and others associated with the mound during the excavations of the 1930s. The excavation photos of the mound each have a location map showing the direction the photographer was shooting. These maps also show the status of the excavation at the time of the photograph.
Many of these pictures have never been published before. Few have been shown in this full-page format. Eyewitness accounts from Dr. Bell, W. Guinn Cooper (one of the diggers), newspaper articles of the day and other early publications are presented together for the first time. See reviews of the book in "Indian Artifacts Magazine," "Prehistoric American," "Chips : The Flintknappers Publication" and others.
If you would like to learn a little more about the Spiro Mound please visit my other website at
Book Reviews
Anthony Stein
for Prehistoric American
The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay,
by Larry G. Merriam and Christopher J. Merriam. Published by
Merriam Station Books, 2004. Printed by Hynek Printing, Richland
Center, WI. Review by Anthony Stein.
Larry and Chris Merriam’s recently published book The Spiro
Mound: A Photo Essay will likely become an instant classic. The
406-page hardbound book reintroduces a 21st Century readership to
the famous Spiro Mounds excavations that occurred in Eastern
Oklahoma in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. So famous were
the Spiro Mound excavations that a 1936 article in the Kansas
City Star declared the site to be an American King Tut’s
tomb. The Spiro Mound complex was one of the great Mississippian
ceremonial centers of its era.
In collaboration with Dr. Robert E. Bell, the Merriams have
republished Dr. Bell’s original black and white photographs
that Dr. Bell took at the Spiro Mounds from 1933 through 1937.
The 51 Bell photos serve as reliable documentation of the
excavation and many of the extraordinary artifacts found at the
site. Bell was one of those rare adventurers who recognized the
unique opportunity to document the tribute offerings recovered
from the site. In addition to Dr. Bell’s annotated
photographs, the Merriams have also published the various
excavation accounts as told by contemporary writers and diggers,
including Dr. Robert Bell, Dr. Forest Clements, Guinn Copper, A.
B. MacDonald and others.
Dr. Bell’s collaboration on the Merriams’ book serves
as an important acknowledgement to the book’s accuracy and
reliability. The annotated photographs share key ownership
information for Spiro objects now in public and private
collections. The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay is an invaluable
reference tool for modern-day Spiro enthusiasts and collectors
because Dr. Bell’s photos preserve a record of authentic
objects actually found at the site. Never before has a
photographic record been so necessary to verify the authenticity
of Spiro artifacts.
Cliff Jackson
for the AACA
Review of
“The Spiro Mound: A Photo Essay” by Larry and
Christopher Merriam, photographs from the collection of Dr.
Robert E. Bell
Merriam Station Books, 8716 Old Brompton Rd., Oklahoma City, OK,
73132
by Cliff Jackson
One of the turning points in North American archaeology has long
been both reviled and loved by collectors and archaeologists
alike- the Spiro Mounds of Oklahoma. This large ceremonial
complex and the associated activities of the ancient Spiroans,
plus the early destructive searches of modern man and the
reactions of professionals of the time, all shaped the beginnings
of archaeological law as we know it. The Pocola Mining Company
dug out the Spiro Mounds for the relics, and in the process
helped define legality, morality, property rights, and burial
laws, definitions that continue to effect archaeological law even
seventy years later. Ancient Spiro shaped early American
archaeology.
Modern archaeologists and collectors alike can now look back at
the prehistory of this fantastic ancient site, through the eyes
of the Pocola diggers and through the photographs taken by Dr.
Robert Bell of not only the site as it was dug, but also of the
phenomenal ceremonial artifacts that were uncovered back in the
1930’s. Dr. Bell was but a young man when he first viewed
the Pocola "mines", and they struck a chord with him
that drove his lifetime of learning as a professional
archaeologist. He saw the tremendous wealth of information that
was being lost by mining for relics, and that prompted him to
record and photograph all he could of the site and the artifacts
found there. The information lost and damage caused also prompted
stronger laws in Oklahoma (and elsewhere) that today protect
significant sites nationwide.
Chris and Larry Merriam have done a superb job of gathering the
scattered information from Spiro, using eyewitness interviews,
old photographs, and the amazing relics themselves to create an
historical document that goes well beyond the average
coffee-table relic book. Chapters include the prehistory of
Spiro, the earliest history of excavations there, and the vast
activities of the Pocola Mining Company during the Great
Depression years. The authors continue on into the WPA
excavations and the beginnings of the Oklahoma Archaeological
Society, and include a detailed bibliography of past publications
on the Spiro Mounds.
Perhaps most impressive is the wealth of illustrations of the
mounds and excavations, and the hundreds of vintage photographs
from Dr. Bell’s albums that have never before been
published. Most of the finest artifacts found at Spiro, now in
museums worldwide, are shown as they were being brought out for
sale by the miners, laid on newspapers and blankets amidst the
dust of the trenches.
This important historical reference book of this significant
ceremonial center is one that collectors of ancient artifacts
will want to have in their libraries. The information it contains
is unique in that it details the mysterious prehistory as well as
the turbulent history of modern man’s activities there.
Students of archaeology can discover in this book the beginnings
of the discipline as it was in its educational infancy.
Most importantly, “The Spiro Mound-A Photo Essay”,
shows professionals and collectors alike our common bond in the
evolution of the science of archaeology- that human curiosity
that drives our quest for knowledge about the unique artifacts
and lifeways of the ceremonial people of the Spiro Mounds. This
new book deserves a place on the shelves of all artifact
collectors and archaeologists, as a prehistoric/historic document
of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex.
Jon Dickinson
Posted By: jon dickinson on:
05/04/2004 13:01:27 CDT
Subject: Review of Spiro Book by Larry and Chris
I have known Larry through these
internet boards for several years now. I respect him as a class
act, so I was expecting a classy work when I opened up the box
his book was in. Right from the start, I knew I was right. I
don't know what the normal copies look like, but the collectors
edition cover is awesome. A nice green color hardbound with an
almost copper/bronze etching of an important Spiro copper
piece(which resides in Ohio-hehehe). The binding is solid and the
pages are first class glossy.
I read the entire book yesterday evening(about 3 hours), and
found it to be a great read. The style is what I call a cross
between Bob Converse and Allen Eckert. Converse is known for
writings that appeal to the expert and amateur. He employs a
writing style that explains things professionally, but eliminates
the scientific nomenclature that pro archy's use to confuse the
uneducated reader. Allen Eckert is known for a style of
historical fiction that uses eyewitness accounts, historical
writings and quotations to write a story instead of a book
report. Eckert's historical characters are given personality and
dialogue rather than dry historical record. Larry and Chris
employ both these styles in weaving a factual story that gives
out great information that all skill levels can understand and
appreciate.
The story itself is really a tragedy of the destruction of a
National Treasure. However, the authors are careful to point out
that different times called for different actions.
I also really liked the descriptions of the old time dealers
involved. I think there is a clear warning throughout the pages
to contemporary bad dealers. You guys won't be remembered for all
the money you made, but rather your lack of character.
The picture collection taken from the time of the digs is
impressive and depressing. I kept asking myself "why did
they do that?".
The artifact pictures are great, but provide my only criticism. I
would have loved to see some of the highlight pieces pictured
today in color inside the book. However, I understand this would
have added a ton of money to the publication.
Overall, a must for collectors who want to learn more about a
vastly important site, the personalities surrounding its
destruction and the great objects that came from within.
Jon.
Errata/Caption Updates
Information recently discovered
in Dr. Bell’s files indicates that the individual shown in
Figure 61 could be Columbus Eubanks and not R. W. Wall. This has
been confirmed by Dennis Peterson, of the Spiro Mounds
Archaeological Center, who showed the photograph to members of
the Eubanks family. Following are revised captions for Figures 61
through 64. This change means the titles on the List of Figures
on page xi and pages 73 and 74 are incorrect. On pages 29 and 33
the references to Mr. Wall being shown in Figure 61 should be
ignored.
Figure 61: Columbus Eubanks and his wife Oda Eubanks
This photograph taken April 9, 1936 shows Columbus Eubanks and
his wife Oda Eubanks of Route 2, Spiro, Oklahoma. Mr. Eubanks is
holding an effigy pot from Spiro that he sold to Harry T. Bell,
Dr. Robert E. Bell’s father. Columbus Eubanks was not a
member of the Pocola Mining Company, but was a local Black man
who was hired to dig at the Mound. Apparently, he was paid in
artifacts. The effigy pot was one of the pieces he had from the
Mound. This piece is shown in Figures 62, 63 and 64.
Another item he had was mentioned by Phil J. Newkumet, a
supervisor for the third field season. He stated that he
purchased an engraved conch shell from Eubanks for $6. Later, the
shell was sold to James Durham for $200. After Durham’s
death, the piece was sold to Roy Hathcock and is currently in the
collection of John Baldwin. It was also shown in color on page 8
of the “Prehistoric American” Volume XXXVII, Number 3,
2003.
Figure 62: Eubanks effigy pot showing the front and back
This pot was purchased by Harry T. Bell of Marion, Ohio (Dr.
Robert E. Bell’s father) on April 9, 1936, from Columbus
Eubanks, who worked for the Pocola Mining Company. He is shown in
Figure 61 holding this pot. This is one of two human effigy pots
of this style found at the Spiro Mound and shown in Dr. Robert E.
Bell’s photograph collection. This pot was probably used as
a water bottle or a seed pot. This is a female figure kneeling on
her shins with the calf of the leg showing underneath the thigh
while the knees are slightly separated. The arms fall straight on
the sides of the body with the forearms bent under the breasts.
In this example, the fingers are indicated by incised lines. The
face has indented areas for the eyes and mouth and another
indentation is obvious in the center of the forehead. The
earlobes are pierced and there is a topknot on the head.
The backside view shows the figure to have narrow hips, a clearly
defined waist, and a larger upper body. The number
“880” is Harry T. Bell’s inventory number. On the
back of the neck is a loop that appears to show damage, possibly
from use. The pierced earlobes and the topknot are visible. The
round opening in the back of the head would be normal for a water
bottle or seed pot. This is the piece shown in Figure 61.
Full-page versions of these two views are presented in Figures 63
and 64.
Figure 63: Eubanks effigy pot
This pot was purchased by Harry T. Bell of Marion, Ohio (Dr.
Robert E. Bell’s father) on April 9, 1936, from Columbus
Eubanks, who worked for the Pocola Mining Company. He is shown in
Figure 61 holding this pot. This is one of two human effigy pots
of this style found at the Spiro Mound and both are documented in
Dr. Robert E. Bell’s photograph collection. This pot was
probably used as a water bottle or a seed pot. This is a female
figure kneeling on her shins with the calf of the leg showing
underneath the thigh while the knees are slightly separated. The
arms fall straight on the sides of the body with the forearms
bent under the breasts. In this example, the fingers are
indicated by incised lines. The face has indented areas for the
eyes and mouth and another indentation is obvious in the center
of the forehead. The earlobes are pierced and there is a topknot
on the head. This piece is shown in Figures 61, 62 and 64.
Figure 64: Back of the Eubanks
effigy pot
This photograph shows the back of the human effigy pot acquired
by Harry T. Bell on April 9, 1936, from Columbus Eubanks, who
worked for the Pocola Mining Company. He is shown in Figure 61
holding this pot. This view shows the figure to have narrow hips,
a clearly defined waist, and a larger upper body. The number
“880” is Harry T. Bell’s inventory number. On the
back of the neck is a loop that appears to show damage, possibly
from use. The pierced earlobes and the topknot are visible. The
round opening in the back of the head would be normal for a water
bottle or seed pot. This piece is shown in Figures 61, 62 and 63.
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Chris Merriam