Gregory Perino
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Greg Perino was a self-taught professional archaeologist, author, consultant, and the last living founder of the Illinois State Archaeological Society. Most people will agree that Perino was the foremost expert on Native American Artifacts. Perino died July 4th, 2005 at the age of 91. [1]
[edit] Early Life and Career
Originally from Belleville, Illinois, Perino started exploring Cahokia and the surrounding Mississippi Riverbluffs as a teenager. His fascinationwith the past and his innate ability to locate and meticulously excavate prehistoric cemeteries and burial mounds soon led him into a career as a self-taught professional archaeologist, first with the Gilcrease Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma; then with the Foundation for Illinois Archeology in Kampsville,Illinois; and finally with the Museum of the Red River in Idabel, Oklahoma.
Perino is perhaps best known for his guidebooks for North American projectile points. In Illinois, he is well known for his numerous excavations of Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, and Mississippian mortuary sites in theIllinois, Mississippi, and Kaskaskia River valleys. However, his earlier work at Cahokia is of equal importance. His 1956 Gilcrease Institute excavations into Mound 34, for example, uncovered a series of unusual artifacts anddeposits that continue to intrigue Cahokia archaeologists, so much so that efforts are under way to relocate his excavations. Greg's many contributions to Illinois archaeology are well documented because he routinely published reports on his discoveries. For Gregory Perino's enduring contributions to Illinois archaeology, he was accorded the IAS Public Service Award. [2]
[edit] Legacy
It is impossible to touch on all of Perino's contributions. The most important contributions such as artifact typology, mound constructionand use, and mortuary practices will be discussed.
Let us first consider Perino's contributions to our understanding material culture. His works to artifact typology are wellknown, especially where projectile points are concerned. Beginning with Perino's collaborative workwith Robert Bell and later publishing his own monographs on preforms, points,and knives of the North American Indians reside on the bookshelves ofavocational and professional archaeologists alike. In my opinion, these guides represent a typological bedrock andcontinuing field work throughout the midcontinent refines our understanding ofthese types.
Perino's contributions to our understanding of material culture also include exceptional specimens such as the bone scepter from the Lawrence Gay mound, the cache of North preforms from the North site, and the copper object and beaver effigy pipe from the Bedford mounds.
As illustrated by his many profile and plan-view maps, Perino documented mound structure and provided insights into mound construction and uses, especially the construction and function of log tombs in Middle Woodland mounds. He provided detailed descriptions of burial contexts and, in turn, enhanced the understanding of mortuary practices.
With his passing, a long and rich volume in the history of North American Archaeology has ended.
