The discovery of two 2,000-year-old modified wolf mandibles has provided new insight linking the Illinois Hopewell to southern Michigan.
Professor Emeritus Dr. William Lovis of the Department of Anthropology at Michigan State University and the late Maurice O. Haag published an article in Illinois Archaeology, “Cut and Polished Wolf Mandible Segments from the Quanicassee River Drainage, Michigan,” revealing evidence that connects these artifacts to the Illinois Hopewell.
Lovis said the mandibles were intentionally modified in a style used by the Illinois Hopewell, a Native American civic and ceremonial complex that existed in the Midwest before European contact, particularly in Ohio and Illinois.
Although the exact purpose for the modifications remains uncertain, Lovis agrees with others who believe they were likely meant to help an individual to embody an animal spirit or clan totem during personal or communal ceremonies.
“Large parts of the jawbones—including the teeth and palate—were precisely cut away and discarded, with the remainder polished, most likely so the resulting parts could fit in a person’s mouth or be attached to a mask or piece of headgear,” he said.
Although the presence of Illinois Hopewell was widespread in the Midwest, evidence in Michigan is uncommon. Lovis explained that occasional archaeological discoveries in Michigan have suggested a connection between the state and Hopewell’s more central areas in the south.
Lovis and Haag shared an interest in the Saginaw Bay region and developed a trusted relationship over the past few decades. When Haag found and recorded the modified wolf mandibles, he recognized their importance and connected with Lovis to perform further evaluation on the artifacts.
“Community members, like Haag, as well as professionals, can make significant contributions to our knowledge of the past,” Lovis said.
To digitally preserve the mandibles, researchers conducted a micro-computed tomography and structured light scan to capture 3D imagery of the intricate bone modifications. These methods ensured that the data could be shared with future researchers—even more crucial after Lovis explained that, following Haag’s death, his artifact collection was stolen, including the modified wolf jaws.
Scans above are Computer Assisted Tomography (Micro CT) Scan of Wolf Mandible Segments. Top view, bottom view, right lateral view and left lateral view (left to right). (Images by D. Chittenden. Imaging software by North Star Imaging [NSI], an ITW Company. www.4nsi.com; xrayinspectionservice.com)
“Unless the theft is recovered, the digital imagery and our article will be the only pieces of information available,” Lovis said.
For more information and access to the article, contact Dr. William Lovis (lovis@msu.edu).