This artifact appears to be a Mississippian shell mask gorget, typically fashioned from marine conch or whelk shells traded inland from the Gulf of Mexico. [1]These items served as sacred emblems often worn by high-ranking leaders or used in ceremonial rituals. [1, 2]Similar items have been documented in archeological contexts ranging from roughly A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1800 across regions like Illinois and Arkansas measures 4 in x 3.5 in x 1.5 in Features engraved “weeping eye” motifs

Minor chips