
Image Source: Yahoo News
A Missouri family’s heirloom has been identified as one of the rarest pre-contact Native American artifacts ever received by the University of Arkansas Museum—a remarkably well-preserved ancient seed bag. The bag, believed to be 500 to 2,000 years old, was discovered in the 1960s in the Missouri Ozarks by Andy Juel and later passed down to his granddaughter, Jess Mayberry. Concerned about its preservation, Mayberry donated it to the museum on May 5.
The seed bag, found near bluff shelters ideal for preserving organic material, still contains ancient seeds and stone tools. Experts suggest it may be linked to the Osage tribe. Museum archaeologist Mel Zabecki called it one of the best-preserved organic artifacts from the region. Although now at the museum, the artifact’s future will be determined in consultation with the Osage Nation. Mayberry said donating it felt like “returning something that was lost.”
Learn more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/missouri-family-heirloom-identified-rare-140000331.html