essay

Kolomoki and the development of sociopolitical organization on the Gulf coastal plain

world engraved : archaeology of the swift creek culture • Tuscaloosa • Published In 1998 • Pages: 181-196

By: Steinen, Karl T..

Abstract

Steinen briefly describes the Kolomoki and Mandeville sites. Kolomoki had '…many of the characteristics of a Mississippian civic center-large truncated mound, crescent-shaped village area, and elaborate burial mounds-but lacks other features such as village burials, fortifications, strong indications of a stratified society, and the elaborate status markers known from sites such as Moundville, Lake Jackson, and Etowah.' (page 181). The archaeological evidence from Kolomoki, however, does show that some social differentiation existed. Steinen then goes on to discuss some other models that attempt to explain the rise and fall of Kolomoki and to propose one of his own. Steinen's model incorporates environmental setting, land use, settlement patterns, and the development of maize agriculture.

HRAF PubDate

2005

Region

North America

Sub Region

Eastern Woodlands

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry ; 2003

Field Date

1975

Coverage Date

Late Swift Creek to Weeden Island I; 1750 BP-1400 BP (250 A.D.-600 A.D.)

Coverage Place

Kolomoki site, southwest Georgia, United States

Notes

Karl T. Steinen

For bibliographical references see 9: Williams and Elliot

LCCN

98009001

LCSH

Woodland culture