The McGee Creek Reservoir Archaeological Collection
During the 1970s and 1980s, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) authorized archaeological inspections of an area in southeast Oklahoma (Atoka County) where they were proposing to construct McGee Creek Reservoir. A Texas-based archaeological firm conducted numerous archaeological surveys and excavations in the impact area and discovered over 300 new prehistoric and historic sites. Many of these sites were excavated and an estimated 2.5 million artifacts were recovered. This material was stored in a Texas warehouse for nearly 20 years until the BOR hired the Institute to bring this important collection back to the museum for proper analyzation and curation.
Gary-type (Archaic & Woodland Period) projectile points indicate a habitation in the McGee Creek area from 2000 B.C. to 1000 A.D.
This stone mano was used to grind vegetal foodstuffs.
Amethyst-colored glass was produced in the United States prior to 1917 and is found on many of the historic McGee Creek Reservoir sites.
The McGee Creek Collection in the Institute's storage area.
