People Are People: A Look at the Plum Bayou Indians

I, for one, am a huge supporter of our State and National Park Systems.  My family and I frequent our Arkansas State Parks and love every opportunity we get to visit parks both close to home and far away.  We depend on Park Interpreters to teach us about nature and our past. My brother-in-law Jon Hutto, a 2003 South Side Alumni, is a Park Interpreter at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park and I couldn't be prouder of him. He does a great job bringing history to life.

Interpreter Hutto likes to say, "People are people no matter when or where they lived."  

Mr. Hutto addresses Mr. Tanner's 11th grade AP U.S. History clas

This is certainly true of the Plum Bayou people that lived and built mounds right outside of Little Rock thousands of years ago.  What we know about these people is based on the ongoing archeological and interpretive endeavors at the Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park.  In short, professionals make educated guesses about what life was like for these people using evidence gathered at the site.

FACS Teacher Mrs. Rooney, attempts hunting with a blow gun

According to evidence, the Plum Bayou people were not so different than us.  They lived, loved, ate, danced, and on hot days by Mound Lake, a small child would even fashion their hair out of their eyes with a "bone" barrette.

Mr. Hutto talks about his Career with Mrs. Rooney's CO class

The mounds were a gathering site for ceremonies and festivals that the modern day Quapaw Indians are still allowed to use.  In fact, the Quapaw are the only people allowed to wander freely on the mounds during their ceremonies several times a year.

Mrs. Hutto demonstrates spear hunting

There are still things we don't know about the Plum Bayou people, such as why they left that area so long ago, but thanks to Mr. Hutto and the work of archeologists, we now know what kind of houses they built (hint: not tepees) and what tools they used to hunt with. Students were able to handle actual artifacts that the Plum Bayou people used.  That is a pretty neat experience.

Uncle Jon with his 5th grade niece, Blair

Mr. Hutto spoke to the 5th and 6th graders, Mrs. Rooney's 8th grade Career Orientation class, and our 11th grade AP U.S. History class.  We thank him for sharing his time and knowledge with us.

For more information on Toltec, such as hours of operation and guided tours, click the link below.

Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park

Until Next Time,

Amy Hutto, LMS
South Side High School