Lake Michigan Phase

The Lake Michigan Phase is identified as part of the Woodland Pattern or Culture. It exists in the transition from Middle Woodland to Late Woodland. Some of the more well known aspects of this phase include Headwaters Lake, Red River, Mille Lacs, Rainy River, Southern Minnesota and Effigy Mound.

Ceramic sherds from the Malmo Focus

Pottery sherds revealed decorative impressions on rims such as incised lines, cord-wrapped stick, punctates, bosses, single cord impressions and dentates (regular notched intervals of end-to-end rectangular or square depressions). Some sherds revealed impressions of a net or other fabric. Cooking vessels were globular with wide mouths, short necks and thickened lips.

Artifacts include antler points, beaver teeth made into sharp points, beads, copper in shapes of knife blades, a bracelet and flat, rectangular pieces possibly used as ornaments or decoration.

The burials found in conjunction with the Lake Michigan Phase were either primary or secondary. Primary burials reveal the bodies in a flexed position either sitting or kneeling. Bodies are generally accompanied by mortuary vessels. Many primary burials lacked skulls and arm bones. It appears that the mutilation of the skull and arm bones was done to secure the brain and marrow. The securing of these parts was done at the time of death. Secondary burials were also known as bundle burials. These mounds represent many individuals buried within one site. Secondary burials consist of disarticulated and mutilated remains. Some mounds reveal layers of bones. The burial mounds of the Lake Michigan Phase were round and/or linear in shape.

Bibliography

Wilford, Lloyd A. A Revised Classification of the Prehistoric Cultures of Minnesota. American Antiquity, 1955.