Miskwabik, Metal of Ritual: Metallurgy in Precontact Eastern North America

by Amelia M. Trevelyan

Overview

Miskwabik, Metal of Ritual examines the thousands of beautiful and intricate ritual works of art—from ceremonial weaponry to delicate copper pendants and ear ornaments—created in eastern North America before the arrival of Europeans. The first comprehensive examination of this 3,000-year-old metallurgical tradition, the book provides unique insight into the motivation of the artisans and the significance of these objects, and highlights the brilliance and sophistication of the early civilizations of the Americas.Comparing the ritual architecture and metallurgy of the original Americans with the ethnological record, Amelia M. Trevelyan begins to unravel the mystery of the significance of the objects as well as their special functions within the societies that created them. The book includes dozens of striking color and black and white photographs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813122724
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	01/12/2004
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

	List of Maps	viii
	List of Tables	ix
	List of Figures	x
	List of Plates	xvi
	Acknowledgments	xviii
	Introduction	1
1.	A Long, Consistent History	9
2.	Meaning and Significance in Design	74
3.	Meaning and Significance in Material	116
4.	Copper: Its Ceremonial Role	149
	Appendix	201
	Notes	258
	Maps I-III	271
	Tables I-IX	276
	Bibliography	287
	Index	302

Editorial Reviews

Fills a crucial gap in the literature. Trevelyan's work goes beyond a simple history of copper production to discuss meaning and function [of the objects and associated designs]. Her work has ramifications that reach far beyond a disucssion of copper work alone. This volume will be very influential in reshaping Eastern Woodlands scholarship.

Lee Anne Wilson

Trevelayan draws all Native American use of copper in the eastern US... into a long, consistent tradition of ritual behavior, underscoring her argument with 16 dazzling color illustrations that indicate just how spectacular Native American copper could be. Highly recommended.

Choice

A useful compendium of ethnographic and ethnohistoric references to native copper belief systems and use by Native Peoples.

Journal of Canadian Archaeology

"An invaluable reference Miskwabik is an incredibly interesting book on a topic rarely discussed in such depth! You'll enjoy every word of it."

The Dirt Brothers

"Trevelayan draws all Native American use of copper in the eastern US... into a long, consistent tradition of ritual behavior, underscoring her argument with 16 dazzling color illustrations that indicate just how spectacular Native American copper could be. Highly recommended." — Choice

"Refocuses the discussion of aboriginal copper use away from its possible economic significance... to their symbolic and ceremonial significance.... Highly recommended." — Choice

"A useful compendium of ethnographic and ethnohistoric references to native copper belief systems and use by Native Peoples." — Journal of Canadian Archaeology

"Fills a crucial gap in the literature. Trevelyan's work goes beyond a simple history of copper production to discuss meaning and function [of the objects and associated designs]. Her work has ramifications that reach far beyond a disucssion of copper work alone. This volume will be very influential in reshaping Eastern Woodlands scholarship." — Lee Anne Wilson, Hartwick College, co-editor of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and th

"An invaluable reference… Miskwabik is an incredibly interesting book on a topic rarely discussed in such depth! You'll enjoy every word of it." — The Dirt Brothers

From the Publisher