Abstract
The symbolic world of Middle Woodland peoples is identifiable in a multiplicity of archaeological contexts, even in marginal areas such as the American Bottom. This article examines a variety of contexts and themes of symbolic representation from this area, including design formats and symbolic presentation on pottery vessels, house construction style, color opposition in chert selection practice, use of minerals, bird symbolism, and possible cosmological links and technological diversity and experimentation as an overall symbol of Middle Woodland worldview and practice. I also provide a brief overview of the process of the renegotiation of symbolic practice in the American Bottom over the course of the Middle Woodland period, and offer explanations for the gradual devaluation of this unique symbolic system at A.D. 350. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-47 |
| Number of pages | 47 |
| Journal | Illinois Archaeology: Journal of the Illinois Archaeology Survey |
| Volume | 20 |
| State | Published - Jan 2008 |
Keywords
- ISAS