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Miskwabik, Metal of Ritual examines the thousands of beautiful and intricate ritual works of art—from ceremonial weaponry to delicate copper pendants and ear ornaments—created in eastern North America before the arrival of Europeans. The first comprehensive examination of this 3,000-year-old metallurgical tradition, the book provides unique insight into the motivation of the artisans and the significance of these objects, and highlights the brilliance and sophistication of the early civilizations of the Americas.Comparing the ritual architecture and metallurgy of the original Americans with the ethnological record, Amelia M. Trevelyan begins to unravel the mystery of the significance of the objects as well as their special functions within the societies that created them. The book includes dozens of striking color and black and white photographs.

Trevelayan draws all Native American use of copper in the eastern US . . . into a long, consistent tradition of ritual behavior, underscoring her argument with 16 dazzling color illustrations that indicate just how spectacular Native American copper could be. Highly recommended. -- Choice

Refocuses the discussion of aboriginal copper use away from its possible economic significance . . . to their symbolic and ceremonial significance. . . . Highly recommended. -- Choice

A useful compendium of ethnographic and ethnohistoric references to native copper belief systems and use by Native Peoples. -- Journal of Canadian Archaeology

Fills a crucial gap in the literature. Trevelyan's work goes beyond a simple history of copper production to discuss meaning and function [of the objects and associated designs]. Her work has ramifications that reach far beyond a disucssion of copper work alone. This volume will be very influential in reshaping Eastern Woodlands scholarship. -- Lee Anne Wilson, Hartwick College, co-editor of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and th

“An invaluable reference… Miskwabik is an incredibly interesting book on a topic rarely discussed in such depth! You’ll enjoy every word of it.” -- The Dirt Brothers

Publication Date

2004

Publisher

The University Press of Kentucky

Place of Publication

Lexington, KY

ISBN

9780813122724

eISBN

9780813147550

Keywords

Indian copperwork, Indian metal-work, North America

Disciplines

Indigenous Studies

Miskwabik, Metal of Ritual: Metallurgy in Precontact Eastern North America
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