Perspectives On Northern Northwest Coast Prehistory

Thirteen scientists provide insight into the archaeology of the north coast of British Columbia in celebration of fieldwork begun by George F. MacDonald for the National Museum of Canada in 1966. This book investigates paleoenvironmental influences on human settlement, theoretical concepts involved in northern Northwest Coast research, and the interplay of aboriginal oral traditions and archaeological findings.

The papers in this volume are updated & expanded versions of papers from a 1996 symposium conducted to commemorate the 30th anniversary of inception of archaeological work on the north coast of British Columbia. The first chapter is an overview of the Prince Rupert Harbour Project, which carried out most of the archaeological work. The remaining chapters investigate the late Quaternary palaeoenvironments on the north coast, evidence related to social interactions, the interplay of the Aboriginal oral record and archaeological findings, human biological relationships as determined from cranial morphology, north coast material culture as revealed from excavations at waterlogged sites, zooarchaeological remains as evidence of prehistoric diet, village patterns & society in the Prince Rupert area, the relationship between resource abundance & local group rank, and artefact evidence for protohistoric competition & trade. The final chapter treats the crucial issues of site preservation and increasing First Nations involvement.

This volume provides a descriptive overview of the cultural complexity on the northwest coast that stretches from northern California to Alaska. Topics covered range from the earliest settlements to the subsequent cultural diversities in Native American populations. Maps, charts, and illustrations further enhance the book's interest and appeal.

The evolution of the Northwest Coast cultural pattern from two different archaeological traditions, one in the north and one to the south, is discussed in terms of environmental and subsistence factors.

Between 1968 and 1972, ten archaeological sites were excavated in Prince Rupert Harbour on the northern coast of British Columbia. This volume focuses on the finds from nine sites, over 9,000 of which were found, dating from 3,500 BC to the modern period. Divided into three broad chronological periods, the study describes in detail the finds of bone, antler, teeth and shell, the worked stone and bone, the grave goods, the jewellery made from metal or organic materials, harpoons and whale bone weapons. These are then discussed for what they reveal about life along this fertile and productive yet challenging and often harsh coastline. The discussion highlights regional variations in material culture and subsistence. The study includes a full description of each of the sites and numerous tables.

From the SAA Press Current Perspectives Series, this concise overview of the archeology of the Northwest Coast of North America challenges stereotypes about complex hunter-gatherers. Madonna Moss argues that these ancient societies were first and foremost fishers and food producers and merit study outside socio-evolutionary frameworks. Moss approaches the archaeological record on its own terms, recognizing that changes through time often reflect sampling and visibility of the record itself. The book synthesizes current research and is accessible to students and professionals alike.

"Peoples of the Northwest Coast will appeal to scholars and students of Native American archaeology and anthropology as well as travellers to the region."--BOOK JACKET.