130 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 176 



dence. The present problem is, therefore, that of identifying this 

 site from scanty records of various kinds, to which the material evi- 

 dences from excavation must be added — the latter, like contemporary 

 records, constituting true (if limited) primary evidence. Further 

 archival research, fortunately, offers hope of better knowledge of the 

 physical history of Fort Pierre II, as well as of its general historic 



role. 



ARTIFACTUAL EVIDENCE 



The following descriptions of selected objects obtained in excava- 

 tions at the site of Fort Pierre II (39ST217) complement the numeri- 

 cal specimen catalog of aU objects collected there, prepared at the 

 Project laboratory. These descriptions have here been grouped in 

 logical classes and subclasses, according to the normal or most usual 

 use of the objects or materials, or with respect to the human activity 

 they best illustrate. The groupings are not, of course, mutually ex- 

 clusive, and some cross references have been provided where they 

 might facilitate study. No attempt has been made to provide an 

 exhaustive account of each class of objects represented, or to describe 

 or annotate each object or fragment preserved. The descriptive mat- 

 ter is intended for study in connection with materials from other sites, 

 as well as for planning future exhibit use of the specimens. 



The entries below provide specimen catalog numbers, identification 

 and description of object, material of which it is composed, state of 

 preservation, shape or design, size or dimensions (where possible), 

 decoration and marks, notes on comparable specimens, and general 

 historical notes. Measurements are usually given in English, inas- 

 much as this system was that employed by manufacturers of most of 

 these objects, the products of factory and industrial processes. In the 

 case of objects of native significance, those of small size, such as glass 

 beads, and a few special items, measurements are, however, given in 

 the metric system. 



CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND BUILDING HARDWARE; FUEL 



Hardwood. — No. 793: Sawed fragment (flooring?) ; width ca. 2 inches; thick- 

 ness ca. % inch; partially burnt. Nos. 619, 1185: Other fragments, some of 

 which appear to be hardwoods. Limited quantities of finishing lumber were 

 doubtless obtained by steamboat, from St. Louis and other downriver points. 



Chinking, clay.— Nos. 12, 219, 503, 548, 617, 682, 751, 794, 1190, 1274: Numer- 

 ous fragments, normally a dull gray, though some are accidentally fired and 

 have a buff or reddish color as a result. Several (e.g., Nos. 794, 1190) preserve 

 impressions of the logs or heavy timbers with which the chinking was used. 



Bricks, adohe. — Nos. 839-845 : Fragments of seven specimens, probably molded ; 

 none completely measurable, but apparently 5 to 6 inches in width, ca. 12 inches 

 in length and ca. 3 to 4 inches in thickness (i.e., smaller than sizes customary 

 in the American Southwest). Though originally only sun dried, some of the 

 specimens exhibit traces of accidental firing on one or more surfaces, during 



