Large Clay Bird

Large Clay Bird Containing Human Hair

Clay Bird Figure with Human Hair - 33GU218

Below: A human hair implanted in the bird's tail. These appear with surprising frequency in clay effigies at this site for whatever reason. This hair became detached, but was salvaged and sent with several others to the Center for the Study of the First Americans, where Dr. Robert Bonnichsen identified them as human from their imbricate scale pattern and root morphology. This was the only one of the hairs that appeared to be pubic. Unfortunately, after Dr. Bonnichsen's untimely death the hairs sent to the CSFA could not be located, and this was before this author had acquired microscopes suitable for closer inspection.

Below are microscopic photos of another buried human hair from the site, at three different levels of magnification. Note the club-shaped root and the imbricate scale pattern.

Human Hair from 33GU218 Archaeological Site

Below: The object in situ, on its back, still half buried, revealed by erosion at roughly 50 cm (2') below the current terrain surface.

Clay Bird Figure In Situ - Day's Knob Archaeological Site

Below: Right side of fat (pregnant?) hair-bearing bird. Note the ochre and green plant matter in the mud amalgam from which it was fabricated. The embedded hair is visible protruding from the tail.

Clay Bird Figure with Human Hair in Tail - Day's Knob Archaeological Site

Below: Right rear.

Below: Left rear.

Below: View from above. The separate head was pressed onto the body. Note that the eye on the head is in the abstract form of a bird, a very common feature in both clay and rock effigies.

Clay Bird Figure - Day's Knob Archaeological Site

Unfortunately, this remarkable artifact has since dried out and deteriorated badly.

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