On Thursday, Nov. 21, Fort Smith area residents will have a chance to learn about the prehistoric cultures of the region when archeologist Jim Rees gives a presentation on the importance of membrane drums to ancient Mississippian societies.
The talk, titled “Drums Along the Arkansas: The Possible Depiction of Membrane Drums in the Shell Art of Spiro,” will take place at 7 p.m. in room 211 of the Math-Science Building at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. It is free and open to the public.
In his presentation, Rees will argue for the presence of membrane drums in late prehistoric Mississippian cultures, which once stretched across much of what is now the southeastern and mid-western United States.
“A recent examination of some engraved shell gorgets from the Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma has revealed possible depictions of membrane drums,” Rees said. “The presentation will argue that these iconographic images confirm the presence and importance of both vessel drums and handheld frame drums in prehistoric Mississippian culture.”
Rees was a former history and anthropology teacher at Springdale High School, a position from which he retired in 2008. He holds a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Arkansas, as well as a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s degree in music from Ouachita Baptist University.
He works as a volunteer with the Arkansas Archeological Survey and the University of Arkansas Museum Collections. He is vice president of the Arkansas Archeological Society and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Historical Association. He has lived in Fayetteville with his wife Kriste since 1979.
Tim Mulvihill, UAFS research station archeologist, said he is excited to hear Rees speak.
“It’s going to be exciting to hear Rees discuss his new insights on some of the engraved shell gorgets from the Spiro site,” Mulvihill said. “I think he lends a new perspective on what some of these engravings may represent.”
Rees’ presentation will take place at the monthly meeting of the Ark-Homa Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society and the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. It is hosted by the research station located at UAFS.
For more information, contact Mulvihill by telephone at 479-788-7812 or by email at tim.mulvihill@uafs.edu, or contact Rees by email at jrees45@att.net.