Pre-Columbian Pre-Columbian Archaeology of North Archaeology of North

AmericaAmericaWeek 2:Week 2:

History of Archaeology in North History of Archaeology in North America:America:

Pre-Twentieth CenturyPre-Twentieth Century

Critical conceptsCritical concepts

Archaeology as politicalArchaeology as politicalNationalist vs. colonialist archaeologiesNationalist vs. colonialist archaeologies

Nationalist archaeologyNationalist archaeologyGermany (Gustaf Kossinna), Mexico, China, IsraelGermany (Gustaf Kossinna), Mexico, China, Israel

Colonial archaeologiesColonial archaeologiesAfrica (Africa (Great ZimbabweGreat Zimbabwe), the United States, Australia), the United States, Australia

Key works:Key works:““Nationalism and Archaeology: On the Constructions of Nations and the Nationalism and Archaeology: On the Constructions of Nations and the Reconstructions of the Remote past” by Philip L. Kohl in Reconstructions of the Remote past” by Philip L. Kohl in Annual Review of Annual Review of AnthropologyAnthropology, Vol. 27. (1998), pp. 223-246., Vol. 27. (1998), pp. 223-246.““Alternative Archaeologies: Nationalist, Colonialist, Imperialist” by Bruce G. Alternative Archaeologies: Nationalist, Colonialist, Imperialist” by Bruce G. Trigger in Trigger in ManMan, New Series, Vol. 19, No. 3. (Sep., 1984), pp. 355-370., New Series, Vol. 19, No. 3. (Sep., 1984), pp. 355-370.

Paradigm problems for Europeans in the 16Paradigm problems for Europeans in the 16 thth century centuryBiblical “knowledge” and absence of references to Indians (Noah and the Biblical “knowledge” and absence of references to Indians (Noah and the Great Flood)Great Flood)““Incompatibility” of European preconceptions with realityIncompatibility” of European preconceptions with reality

Monumental architectureMonumental architecture Perceived savagery and technological backwardness (wheel, etc.)Perceived savagery and technological backwardness (wheel, etc.)

Great Zimbabwe (Africa)Great Zimbabwe (Africa)

Great Zimbabwe (Africa)Great Zimbabwe (Africa)

Teotihuacan Teotihuacan Pyramids of the Sun and MoonPyramids of the Sun and Moon

c. 100 A.D.c. 100 A.D.

Spanish ImpactsSpanish Impacts

Destruction of much of the written culture of Destruction of much of the written culture of Central American IndiansCentral American Indians

Aztec and Maya Codices Aztec and Maya Codices

Hernando De SotoHernando De Soto EntradaEntrada across the across the southeastsoutheast 1539-421539-42 Towns with mounds still occupiedTowns with mounds still occupied

José de Acosta, José de Acosta, Historia Natural y Moral de las Historia Natural y Moral de las Indias Indias (1589)(1589)

First to hypothesize about the origins of IndiansFirst to hypothesize about the origins of Indians proposed land crossing without knowledge of Bering proposed land crossing without knowledge of Bering

Straits (only discovered in 1788)Straits (only discovered in 1788)

The Beginnings in The Beginnings in the United Statesthe United States

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson Author of “Declaration of Independence Author of “Declaration of Independence

(1776), third president of the United States (1776), third president of the United States (1801-1809), founder of University of Virginia(1801-1809), founder of University of Virginia

Notes on the State of VirginiaNotes on the State of Virginia (1787) (1787)““Query XI: A description of the Indians established Query XI: A description of the Indians established in that State” in that State”

Challenged viewsChallenged views First systematic excavation in North AmericaFirst systematic excavation in North America

Considered to be the “father” of American Considered to be the “father” of American archaeologyarchaeology

The Nineteenth CenturyThe Nineteenth Century

Hundreds of earthen mounds found Hundreds of earthen mounds found throughout eastern North Americathroughout eastern North America Temple MoundsTemple Mounds

Flat-top mounds with structures on summitFlat-top mounds with structures on summit Zoomorphic moundsZoomorphic mounds

Mounds in the shape of animals, most commonly Mounds in the shape of animals, most commonly reptiles (snakes) and birdsreptiles (snakes) and birds

Geometric MoundsGeometric Mounds Rectilinear and circular/oval forms, usually quite Rectilinear and circular/oval forms, usually quite low. Function unclearlow. Function unclear

Cahokia (Illinois)Cahokia (Illinois)

c. 1000 A.D.c. 1000 A.D.

Complex of 10 large population centers Complex of 10 large population centers and numerous farming villagesand numerous farming villages

Several hundred mounds, 45 major Several hundred mounds, 45 major moundsmounds

Monk’s Mound – largest Monk’s Mound – largest

Cahokia - ReconstructionCahokia - Reconstruction

Monk’s MoundMonk’s Mound304x220x30m – base covers 6.4 ha304x220x30m – base covers 6.4 havolume: 63,000 cubic metersvolume: 63,000 cubic meters

– – 405 meters long, avg. 1 meter high405 meters long, avg. 1 meter high

Great Serpent Mound (Ohio)Great Serpent Mound (Ohio)

Newark Mounds (Ohio)Newark Mounds (Ohio)

Overall length 4 km, area 10.3 sq. kmOverall length 4 km, area 10.3 sq. km

Largest circle: diameter: 358 m, max. 4 m divergenceLargest circle: diameter: 358 m, max. 4 m divergence

Explanations for moundbuildersExplanations for moundbuildersCaleb Atwater (early 1800s)Caleb Atwater (early 1800s) Non-Indian, pre-FloodNon-Indian, pre-Flood

Dr. James H. McColloh: Dr. James H. McColloh: Researches in North Researches in North America America (1817-1829)(1817-1829) Indians could have built moundsIndians could have built mounds

Dr. Samuel George Morton: Dr. Samuel George Morton: Crania AmericanaCrania Americana (1839)(1839) Earlier, more civilized Indians (Toltecans) were Earlier, more civilized Indians (Toltecans) were

responsible. Contemporary Indians (Barbarous) could responsible. Contemporary Indians (Barbarous) could not have built the moundsnot have built the mounds

The Classificatory-Descriptive Period The Classificatory-Descriptive Period (1840-1914)(1840-1914)

Ephraim Squire and Edwin Hamilton DavisEphraim Squire and Edwin Hamilton Davis 18481848 Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi ValleyAncient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley

First publication of the Smithsonian InstitutionFirst publication of the Smithsonian Institution

Moundbuilders of a different raceMoundbuilders of a different race

Indians lacked sophistication to build moundsIndians lacked sophistication to build mounds

Samuel HavenSamuel Haven 18561856 Librarian of American Antiquarian SocietyLibrarian of American Antiquarian Society Evidence inconsistent with “lost race”Evidence inconsistent with “lost race”

New Institutions and TheoriesNew Institutions and Theories

Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Institution 18461846

Peabody MuseumPeabody Museum Harvard UniversityHarvard University 1868-751868-75

Charles LyellCharles Lyell Principles of GeologyPrinciples of Geology (1840) (1840)

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin On the Origin of SpeciesOn the Origin of Species (1859) (1859)

Smithsonian Bureau of EthnologySmithsonian Bureau of Ethnology

Lead by John Wesley PowellLead by John Wesley PowellFirst American to travel Colorado River, First American to travel Colorado River, “discoverer” of “discoverer” of Grand CanyonGrand Canyon

Cyrus ThomasCyrus Thomas1894 1894

Dismantles “lost moundbuilder race” theory Dismantles “lost moundbuilder race” theory

William Henry HolmesWilliam Henry HolmesStrong background in geologyStrong background in geology

First ceramic typologies (for eastern North First ceramic typologies (for eastern North America) America)

Beginnings of Important Regional ResearchBeginnings of Important Regional Research

Adolf Bandelier Adolf Bandelier 18921892

Develops chronology of Develops chronology of Rio Grand region Rio Grand region ((Pueblo CulturesPueblo Cultures))

Max UhleMax UhleWorks with ethnologist Alfred Kroeber (University Works with ethnologist Alfred Kroeber (University of California)of California)

19071907

Investigates cultural change in Investigates cultural change in San Francisco San Francisco Bay Bay Area (Area (Emeryville Emeryville shellmoundshellmound - midden)- midden)

Bandelier National MonumentBandelier National MonumentTyuonyi PuebloTyuonyi Pueblo

Emeryville ShellmoundEmeryville Shellmoundsalvage operations in 1924salvage operations in 1924

The Czech ConnectionThe Czech Connection

AleAleš Hrdličkaš Hrdlička Dominant figure in physical anthropology in North Dominant figure in physical anthropology in North

America in first half of 20America in first half of 20thth century century 1903 – joins what is now the American Museum of 1903 – joins what is now the American Museum of

Natural History (New York)Natural History (New York) Rejected early (Pleistocene) arrival of Indians in North Rejected early (Pleistocene) arrival of Indians in North

AmericaAmericaEarliest arrival c. 4000 BPEarliest arrival c. 4000 BP

Eventually 10,000 BP might be demonstratedEventually 10,000 BP might be demonstrated Introduced demand for rigorous research methods Introduced demand for rigorous research methods

impacted all branches of anthropological and impacted all branches of anthropological and archaeological research in North Americaarchaeological research in North America

Week 2 – Sites (East)Week 2 – Sites (East)

De SotoDe Soto

MonticelloMonticello

CahokiaCahokia

SerpentSerpent

NewarkNewark

Week 2 – Sites (West)Week 2 – Sites (West)

Grand CanyonGrand Canyon

BandelierBandelier

EmeryvilleEmeryville