THE FIRST ARKANSANS
EUROPEAN CONTACT BRINGS DEVASTATION HISTORIC ARKANSAS INDIAN TRIBES WHOSE PATRIMONY HOLDS SWAY? THE NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION & REPATRIATION ACT
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The myth of the “vanished” Indian is the theme of this painting by Adrian Brewer, commissioned by Harvey Couch to accompany his collection of artifacts gathered by Dellinger from what would become Lake Hamilton.
Courtesy of the Couch family Whose Patrimony Holds Sway?
At one time the builders of prehistoric mounds in Arkansas were considered a “vanished race”. Eventually, scientists and the general public learned that modern descendants of these people were still living. This knowledge has dramatically changed our sensitivity to and perception of these prehistoric remains.
Sam Dellinger’s practices were common among early 20th century archeologists. While his goal to preserve Arkansas's cultural legacy for Arkansans remains important, our actions today must also be tempered by the ethics of repatriation. Today, archeologists search for a middle ground between the needs of scientific inquiry and the rights of descendant communities. |
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