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Emerging from the Mist: Studies in Northwest Coast Culture History
Our understanding of the precontact nature of the Northwest Coast has changed dramatically over the last twenty years. This book brings together the most recent research on the culture history and archaeology of a region of longstanding anthropological importance, whose complex societies represent the most prominent examples of hunters and gatherers. Combining archaeology, ethnohistory, and ethnography, this collection investigates several aspects of this cultural complexity, carrying on the intellectual traditions of Donald H. Mitchell and Wayne Suttles.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2003
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February 19, 2015
An interesting collection of articles drawn from a 1998 conference on Northwest Coast archeology. I wouldn't consider this to be an archaeological textbook, in as much as I found it useful as a non-archaeologist, but it is highly academic in tone. Most of the book I think contains useful information for a general audience, though there were a couple chapters (for example, dealing with the precise dimensions of houses at different locations) which were highly specific and technical and not particularly interesting for me.
I think this is a useful book for west coast Settlers interested in learning a bit about the cultures of that place. There's some really fascinating information that should be widely known by settlers but isn't. A paramount example of this is the long history of iron and copper metallurgy on the coast.
Some of the most interesting archaeological finds covered in the book are examples of perishable wood items and basketry, preserved in wet-sites. Pretty cool how stuff like that can survive so long. This kind of data has been used to show both the dynamicity of these cultures and their ancient roots.
A downside to this collection is that, while it's full of interesting information about West Coast peoples, it's written (as far as I can tell) by non-indigenous people. While I don't think this automatically discredits it in any way, I found it a bit strange how seldom were indigenous communities mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end of each chapter.
Overall, a good book for learning about the long history of Wakashan and Coast Salish people.
I think this is a useful book for west coast Settlers interested in learning a bit about the cultures of that place. There's some really fascinating information that should be widely known by settlers but isn't. A paramount example of this is the long history of iron and copper metallurgy on the coast.
Some of the most interesting archaeological finds covered in the book are examples of perishable wood items and basketry, preserved in wet-sites. Pretty cool how stuff like that can survive so long. This kind of data has been used to show both the dynamicity of these cultures and their ancient roots.
A downside to this collection is that, while it's full of interesting information about West Coast peoples, it's written (as far as I can tell) by non-indigenous people. While I don't think this automatically discredits it in any way, I found it a bit strange how seldom were indigenous communities mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end of each chapter.
Overall, a good book for learning about the long history of Wakashan and Coast Salish people.
Displaying 1 of 1 review