Hutchings Museum Institute Native American Collection
This story shows you a sample of the different artifacts at the Hutchings Museum Institute. See artifacts for the Ancestral Puebloans, Fremont, and more.
As you go through the story, you will notice how the Native American Peoples used natural recourses they had around them such as plants, rocks, and animals to help them with their everyday life. Tools were made from river stones, animal bones, and branches from trees or bushes. Clothing could be made from animal skin as well as different plant materials. In a world of digital technology, we wonder how these people survived. They had what they needed and created the technology to live.
Native American Beaded Knife Native American Beaded Knife (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Late 1800's Ute Leather Awl
This artifact is a metal-pointed Ute leather awl and beaded leather sheath. This item was used to pre-punch holes in leather so sinew could be laced through the holes to combine two pieces of leather. Beads are European glass trade beads.
San Juan Anasazi Animal Snare Fragment San Juan Anasazi Animal Snare Fragment (c. 700 - 1100) by San Juan AnasaziHutchings Museum Institute
Bent Willow Rabbit Snare Piece
This artifact is a vital component of a rabbit snare. It is fashioned from a green willow branch, bent and dried to the needed dimensions. Such artifacts were commonly used by Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan peoples. Few of these artifacts have survived as they are made from wood.
Zoo Rabbit HareLIFE Photo Collection
Checking Snares
Snares were set along the trails the rabbits use using bushes and other plant life to hide and secure them. About 20-30 snares were set and checked every couple of days. Generally, women and children would check on the snares.
Native American Bone Handle by Ancient PuebloHutchings Museum Institute
Fremont Knife Handle
This artifact is a knife handle, fashioned from a desert bighorn sheep's jawbone. The teeth have been removed and the blade was hafted using pine pitch glue.
Native American War Club Native American War Club (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Plains Tribe War Club
This artifact is an 1800's war club from an unspecified Plains Tribe. This style of club was utilized by several tribes. The club head is made from a river cobble with a groove pecked and ground around the circumference. The beadwork is made from European glass trade beads.
Native American Tan Moccasins Native American Tan Moccasins (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Early 1900's Ute trade moccasins
These moccasins were made as trade items in the early 1900's by Ute families in Northern Utah. Made from brain tanned deer hide and beaded with glass European seed beads.
Native American Tall White Boots with Beaded Flowers Native American Tall White Boots with Beaded Flowers (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Native American Tall White Boots with Beaded Flowers
These tall moccasins were typically ceremonial and used for weddings. Early 1900's, beaded with glass European seed beads.
Native American Fur Lined Moccasins Native American Fur Lined Moccasins (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Early 1900's Rabbit Fur Lined Moccasins
These moccasins were made as trade items in the early 1900's. Beadwork made with glass European seed beads.
Native American Blue Beaded Shoes Native American Blue Beaded Shoes (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Early 1900's Dance Moccasins
These moccasins represent a more rigid and durable pattern most often utilized by Pow-wow dancers from the early 1900's to the modern-day. Elaborate beadwork made with glass European seed beads.
Native American Beaded Moccasins Native American Beaded Moccasins (1956) by Hutching's MuseumHutchings Museum Institute
Traditional Pattern Ute Moccasins
These moccasins were hand-stitched with sinew and decorated with European glass pony beads. This style represents late 1800's-early 1900's.
Anasazi Stored Yucca Leaf Stalks Anasazi Stored Yucca Leaf Stalks (c. 700 - 1000) by AnasaziHutchings Museum Institute
Juniper Bark Bundle
This artifact was a stored bundle of Juniper bark, harvested by Ancestral Puebloan people. Such bark was used to weave sleeping mats, sandals, cordage, and basket binding. It also served as a trade item between families and tribes.
Native American Squash Sample Native American Squash Sample (1956) by AnasaziHutchings Museum Institute
Coyote Gourde
Ancestral Puebloan people grew many species of gourde and squash. Most of these species originated in Mesoamerica and arrived north as trade items. This is true of the Coyote Gourde. This gourde was not eaten but was grown to be dried and used for rattles and storage containers.
This territorial marker stone was used to mark territories between tribes.
Effigy rocks are rocks that have been shaped and formed to show humans or animals. This effigy comes from an Eastern Mound builder site. Such carved faces are common at Mound builder sites, but we can only speculate their use and significance.
The artifacts featured in this exhibit come from the Hutchings Museum Native American Collection. Created by Hutchings Museum Staff Curators
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