book chapter

The Hopewell interaction sphere in Riverine-Western Great Lakes culture history

hopewellian studies12 (3) • Published In 1964 • Pages: 85-106

By: Struever, Stuart.

Abstract
Struever discusses Hopewell as it is found in the Havana tradition and a little bit in the Crab Orchard tradition. He points out that Hopewell artifacts are not just grave goods (although they often ended up in graves) for the raw materials and the finished artifacts are also found in habitation sites. He believes the Hopewell Interaction Sphere had more to do with exchange of raw materials and ideas than of finished artifacts. He also discusses why Hopewell emerged where it did, looking at ecological reasons for its development and at the development of agriculture in the mud-flats of the river bottoms, especially as the type of plants used for agriculture were ones that need disturbed soil to thrive. Struever's work found plant remains when flotation was used on deposits from pits and hearths. 'Large quantities of plant remains were found which had already escaped detection in the standard screening process. Indeed, the subsistence activities … look … quite different than had we not used the flotation process. The difference … bringing to light an array of carbonized remains that reflects a strong dependence on nuts and seeds.' (page 102).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Organization and analysis of results of research
Location
Flora
Sociocultural trends
Ceramic technology
Burial practices and funerals
tradition
Hopewell
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
North America
Sub Region
Eastern Woodlands
Document Type
book chapter
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2003
Field Date
1962
Coverage Date
2100 BP-1650 BP (100 B.C.-350 A.D.)
Coverage Place
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin; United States
Notes
By Stuart Struever
For bibliographical references see document 4: [Caldwell and Hall]
LCCN
a 65000555
LCSH
Hopewell culture