Mod 7

Cahokia and Complex Chiefdoms

  • Cahokia's population at its peak was estimated to be between 5,000-10,000 people.
  • The prominent features of Cahokia included monumental works and elite burials.
  • The primary purpose of large mounds, such as Monks Mound in Cahokia, was to serve as platforms for temples built at their summits.
  • Characteristics that justify Cahokia's classification as a complex chiefdom and early state society include:
      - Monumental works
      - Elite burials
      - Military rulers
      - Urbanization
      - Writing and mathematics
      - The inclusion of all the above attributes

Ancestral Puebloan Cultures

  • The largest of the Ancestral Puebloan Great Houses were constructed by the Hohokam culture.
  • Complex societies of the northwest coast of North America are characterized as affluent foragers. They are distinguished from pastoral nomads and irrigation farmers.

Mogollon Culture

  • The Mogollon homeland is best described as a mountainous region.
  • Snaketown was a significant settlement associated with the Hohokam culture.

Earthen Mounds of North America

  • The oldest large earthen mounds in North America were constructed approximately 5,000 years ago.

Native American Diet

  • Crops such as sunflower, squash, maygrass, knotweed, and goosefoot are considered:
      - Wild plants that were part of the diet of the inhabitants of Mesa Verde.
      - Crops that were domesticated by Native Americans in the Midwest, Mid-South, and Southeast before the introduction of maize.

NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990)

  • NAGPRA is a law that focuses on:
      - The repatriation of Native American cultural items and human remains from museums and federal agencies.

Main Parts of NAGPRA

  • Museums: Institutions holding Native American cultural items needing repatriation.
  • Ongoing Excavation & Inadvertent Discoveries: Procedures related to the excavation of Native American sites.

Key Definitions Associated with NAGPRA

  • Native American: A term used to describe the original inhabitants of North America.
  • Cultural Affiliation: A relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between an identifiable earlier group and a federally recognized tribe.
  • Indian Tribe: Federally recognized tribal entities.

Shared Interests Between Native Americans and Archaeologists/Museums

  • Anti-looting: Preservation against illegal collection of artifacts.
  • Historic Preservation: Efforts to maintain and protect historical sites and artifacts.
  • Land Claims: Rights associated with the ownership of land by Native American tribes.
  • Water Rights: Legal rights to use water resources.
  • Conflict Resolution: Addressing disputes pertaining to cultural heritage and archaeology.

Kennewick Man Case

  • Significance: The discovery of an 8,500-year-old Caucasoid skeleton led to a legal battle over its repatriation by a tribal consortium.
  • Outcomes: The District and Appeals Courts decided that the remains were not classified as Native American, which resulted in their non-repatriation.

Threats to the Archaeological Record

  1. Development Pressures
  2. Unsustainable Tourism
  3. Insufficient Management
  4. War and Conflict
  5. Looting

Ethical Considerations in Art and Archaeological Artifacts

  • Artifacts may be viewed in various contexts:
      - As art objects for wealthy collectors.
      - As objects for public enjoyment.
      - As scientific objects that provide evidence regarding ancient peoples.
  • Ethical considerations include:
      - Stewardship: Responsibility for the care of cultural items.
      - Accountability: Transparency in the handling and management of artifacts.
      - Commercialization: The sale and trade of stolen or looted objects.
      - Public Education and Outreach: Informing the public about cultural heritage and preservation.

CyArk

  • CyArk is an organization that utilizes technology, such as 3D scanning, to digitally preserve archaeological sites and artifacts, adding a crucial tool in conservation and accessibility of cultural heritage resources.