National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Support the National Park Service
Fort Smith National Historic SiteCherokee Bill on scaffold with noose hanging above his head. His mother stands next to him.
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Fort Smith National Historic Site
September 2007 Artifact of the Month
base of broken bottle

SEPTEMBER 2007
ARTIFACT OF THE MONTH

Wine or Spirits Bottle
pre-1838

This aqua hand-blown glass bottle was found in the 1960s at Belle Point, site of the first Fort Smith (1817-1824). On the base is a pontil mark or indentation left by a pontil rod used during the bottle finishing process. An assistant would hold a long iron rod attached to the base of the hot bottle while the glass-blower shaped the neck of the bottle. Pontil marks are found on American made utilitarian bottles up until the mid-1860s. 

The base of this bottle has a prominent pontil mark with a surrounding starburst design. The edges of the base have an orange peel surface. The variation in the thickness of the bottle and the seedlike bubbles are further evidence of hand manufacture.

 
bottom of bottle base showing indentation
map of Indian Removal routes  

Did You Know?
All five of the southeastern tribes forcibly removed on the Trail of Tears had routes that went through Fort Smith, Arkansas. Those that were removed by water went on the Arkansas River and from Fort Smith they crossed the river and entered Indian Territory.

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: October 02, 2007 at 17:47 EST