Explanations in Iconography: Ancient American Indian Art, Symbol, and Meaning

Case studies combine archaeological data and oral tradition to illustrate how the archaeological expression of beliefs and meanings passed down in the oral tradition may be interpreted.

Explanations in Iconography: Ancient American Indian Art, Symbol, and Meaning is a significant contribution to archaeology and to- iconography studies - a discipline that has gradually been coming into its own. Iconography is a rich and fascinating field when applied to the complex and enigmatic imagery on many ancient Pre-Columbian artifacts. When viewed through the lens of early ethnographic records and American Indian oral traditions - as well as information from knowledgeable American Indian elders - it opens a world of understanding and clarity until recently unknown in the field of anthropological archaeology. It brings us closer to the people who created the artifacts and offers a glimpse into the symbols and beliefs that were important to them.

Chapters cover a wide variety of artifacts and imagery from several ancient American Indian cultures, drawn from a variety of regions, mainly in the Midwest and Eastern United States. These artifacts include petroglyphs and pictographs (rock art), mounds, engraved shell cups and gorgets, burial architecture and grave furniture, pottery, copper repoussé, and other media. Ancient graphics, engravings, mounds, and all were created to deliver a message to the viewer - many of which are finally coming to light. This volume encourages the reader to look more deeply into the meaning behind ancient imagery and arts, and give the past a chance to be known.