Perspectives on Gulf Coast Prehistory

Abstract

For the first time, the archaeology of the entire northern Gulf Coast has been brought together in a comprehensive and integrated fashion. The importance of what heretofore was the 'soft underbelly' of southeastern archaeology has at least been recognized in this impressive compendium. A landmark volume, it is equivalent in scope to those of the North American Handbook series published by the Smithsonian Institution. -- Jeffrey P. Brain, Peabody Museum, Harvard UniversityPerspectives on Gulf Coast Prehistory is a much-needed volume which sheds light on one of the most neglected areas in southeastern archaeology: the coastal strip that extends from east Texas to south Florida. Each chapter in this edited work, written by a recognized authority on the subject, covers a particular region or chronological period. Taken together, the chapters contain a wealth of information on the prehistory, ethnohistory, and environments of the coastal zone. The text is lucid and well illustrated. Moreover, the editor has done a superb job of arranging the papers into a coherent sequence. In short, this book is a major contribution which should be read not just by southeastern archaeologists but by anyone interested in human costal adaptations. -- Vincas P. Steponaitis, SUNY--BinghamtonThe Ripley P. Bullen monograph series has gained rapid respect from southeastern archaeologists. Well written and solid scholarly works addressing a broad range of important research topics, they are essential reading for any student of southeastern Indians. -- Bruce D. Smith, Smithsonian InstitutionSouthereastern archaeology has long taken its orientation from the interior river valleys, even though archaeologists have often been troubled by discrepancies between this traditional model and results of their work in costal regions. Perspectives on Gulf Coast Prehistory is a response to these discrepancies. While they neither downplay the importance of the interior's influence nor regard the coast as a region in itself, the contributors to this book share a belief that the prehistory of the coastal area is different enough from the interior to justify studying it as a region.The essays, both wide-ranging in concept and problem-oriented, cover the Woodland and Mississippian periods of Gulf coast prehistory, from 1000 B.C. to the early European settlements around A.D. 1750. They investigate specific problems, focusing on traditional concerns with cultural chronologies as well as processes of social change, cultural interaction, and environmental adaptation. There are overviews of earlier research and a considerable body of previously unpublished material.In keeping with the larger purpose of the conference at which these papers were presented, a concluding roundtable discussion concentrates on similarities among coastal cultures. Participants presented new research, pinpointed strong and weak points in existing works, and raised questions to stimulate further study.Dave D. Davis is associate dean of the college at Tulane University.

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