Sauratown Woman - Raleigh, NC - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

A plaque next to the statue reads: "Sauratown Woman (late 1600s) Sculptor's representation of a Saura Indian woman who lived along the Dan River in present-day Stokes County. The adorned deerskin dress and hood suggest a high status in the tribe. In memory of Dellie Hardison Smith, past president of the North Carolina Museum of History Associates, Inc."

"When unmarked human skeletal remains are discovered and determined not to be a criminal matter, they become responsibility of the Office of State Archaeology and are sometimes housed at the OSARC. The research center serves as a scientific laboratory and archival repository for skeletal remains as well as ancient artifacts. It also serves as a classroom for forensics students. Oliver works with Clyde Gibbs from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Peace College physical anthropologist Dr. Laura Vick on an educational program to prepare forensic students from Peace, UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State University, and other schools for careers as forensic anthropologists, physicians or laboratory technicians.

“The students come to the research center to develop skills that enable them to determine the age, gender, race and any pathological information they can determine about the remains,” Oliver said. “Some of the students have become significant assets to the research center. Recently, Peace College students served as assistants in a human osteology workshop for crime scene investigators from the City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI).”

Perhaps the most exciting example of forensic work undertaken by the state was Oliver’s direction of the full-bodied reconstruction of female skeletal remains believed to have been associated with the Siouan-speaking Saura tribe, dating to the 1680-1715 period. The remains originally were discovered in 1972 when UNC archaeologists interrupted a grave robber. When the new N.C. Museum of History sought a unique opening exhibit 18 years later, Oliver came up with the idea of conducting a life-sized reconstruction from the archaeological remains. That reconstruction became internationally known as the “Saura Town Woman.” The four-year collaboration, funded by the Sara Lee Corporation, involved a team of 20 scientists, historians, researchers, and artisans. It was the first full-bodied reconstruction ever conducted in the country and was commemorated by a bronze statue that today greets visitors at the entrance of the Museum of History."

-- Source

The statue was designed by Studio EIS and the North Carolina Museum of History.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Sauratown Woman Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Studio EIS and the North Carolina Museum of History Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: Unknown Materials used: Bronze Location: North Carolina Museum of History

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