This collection of essays brings together diverse approaches to the analysis of Native American culture in the protohistoric period For most Native American peoples of the Southeast, almost two centuries passed between first contact with European explorers in the 16th century and colonization by whites in the 18th century—a temporal span commonly referred to as the Protohistoric period. A recent flurry of interest in this period by archaeologists armed with an improved understanding of the complexity of culture contact situations and important new theoretical paradigms has illuminated a formerly dark time frame. This volume pulls together the current work of archaeologists, historians, and anthropologists to demonstrate a diversity of approaches to studying protohistory. Contributors address different aspects of political economy, cultural warfare, architecture, sedentism, subsistence, foods, prestige goods, disease, and trade. From examination of early documents by René Laudonnière and William Bartram to a study of burial goods distribution patterns; and from an analysis of Caddoan research in Arkansas and Louisiana to an interesting comparison of Apalachee and Powhatan elites, this volume ranges broadly in subject matter. What emerges is a tantalizingly clear view of the protohistoric period in North America.

"The study area included the Appalachian Summit-west of Craggy Knob, NC; the Appalachian Ridge & Valley Province-southof the Holston River; and the upper Piedmont of the Carolinas and Georgia. Whenever possible, the author used Native American names for ethnic groups, cultural pahses and settlement sites." - abstract.

Using changes in the features of their pottery as a guide, Saunders (Curator of Anthropology, Louisiana State U.) traces the course of the lifeways of one of the first the groups of Native Americans in the southeastern US to come into contact with Spanish and French colonists. From prehistory through European contact to the end of the Mission period, she shows how especially the frequency and execution of the filfot cross, which is a symbol of Guale cosmology, adapted as part of their strategy to survive as a society. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

"Published in association with the Georgia Humanities Council."