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

358 Pages·2004·80.906 MB·English

by  Amelia M. Trevelyan

MISKWABIK
METAL OF RITuAL
Miskwabik means "copper"
in the Native American language
of the Ojibwa tribe.
_SKWABIK
METAL OF RrrUAL
METALLURGY IN PRECONTACT
EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
Amelia M. Trevelyan
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTuCKY
Publication of this volume has been aided by a grant from
the Millard Meiss Publication Fund of the College Art Association.
Copyright © 2004 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008
http://www.kentuckypress.com
08 07 06 05 04 54321
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Trevelyan, Amelia M.
Miskwabik, metal of ritual: metallurgy in precontact Eastern North
America / Amelia M. Trevelyan
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8131-2272-4 (alk. paper)
1. Indian copperwork-East (U.S.) 2. Indians of North America-East (U.S.)
-Rites and ceremonies. 3. Indian metal-work-East (U.S.) 4. Indian copperwork
-Canada, Eastern. 5. Indians of North America-Canada, Eastern-Rites and
ceremonies. 6. Indian metal-work-Canada, Eastern. I. Title.
E98.C76T74 2003
739.2'089'97-dc21 2003005795
This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting
the requirements of the American National Standard
for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America
.." .. I
~ ~ ~ Member of the Association of
'I _
~ American University Presses
This volume is dedicated to my students, who have helped me
learn as I teach; to my children, Whitney and Devon, for
providing the joy and inspiration to roll on; and to Arnold
Rubin, friend and mentor, whose brilliant intellect and deep
humanity helped guide me here.
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CONTENTS
List of Maps
Vlll
List of Tables IX
List of Figures
X
List of Plates
XVI
Acknowledgments XVlll
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
Plates follow page 148
MAPs
Map I. Archaic Period Sites ca. 3000-1500 B.C. 273
Map II. Woodland Period Sites
ca. 1500 B.C.-A.D. 600 274
Map III. Mississippian Sites ca. A.D. 1100-1450 275
TABLES
Table I. Object and Design Categories 276
Table II. Piece Totals 277
Table III. Comparative Copperwork Assemblages 278
Table IV. Number of Pieces with Applied Decoration 279
Table V. Number of Pieces with Applied Decoration 280
Table VI. Design Usage (Overall) 281
Table VII. Relative Design Type Usages 282
Table VIII. Design Types (by Culture) 284
Table IX. Relative Design Type Usages (Overall) 285