Mississippian Settlement Patterns

Studies in Archeology: Mississippian Settlement Patterns explains the cultural organization of many of the prehistoric societies in the Eastern United States during the last 1000 years of their existence.

This book emphasizes the difference between the central core of Mississippian societies and those peripheral societies that preceded its development. Readers are advised to begin the examination of this compilation by reading Chapter 16 first, followed by Chapters 8 to 13 and 15, in order to understand the variations of patterning among societies that are commonly regarded as nascent or developed Mississippian. The rest of the chapters analyze cultural groups on the West, North, and Northeast that are not Mississippian societies, including a discussion of late prehistoric societies that are in some ways divergent but are sometimes regarded as Mississippian.

This publication is valuable to archeologists, historians, and researchers conducting work on Mississippian societies.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Foreword
1 Steed-Kisker: A Western Mississippian Settlement System I
Natural Setting
Settlement Patterning
Conclusions
Research Goals
References
2 Oneota Settlement Patterns in Eastern Wisconsin: Some Considerations of Time and Space
Environmental-Topographic Setting
Data Collection
Proposed Models of Oneota Settlement Patterns
Proposed Models of Oneota Settlement Systems
The Directions of Future Research
References
3 Analysis of Late Mississippian Settlements on Ossabaw Island, Georgia
The Irene Phase
Research Universe
Data Collection
Analysis
The Settlement Hierarchy
Conclusions
Future Research
References
4 Fort Walton Settlement Patterns
Regional Chronology
Historical Background
Regional Settlement Patterns: A Synthetic Model
Future Research
References
5 Mississippian Settlement Patterns in the Appalachian Summit Area: The Pisgah and Qualla Phases I
Background
Environment
Mississippian Cultural Phases
Form and Function of Individual Structures
Arrangement and Functional Interrelationships of Structures Forming a Settlement
Arrangements and Interrelationships of Settlements Across the Landscape
Summary and Interpretations
Recommendations for Future Research
References
6 Fort Ancient Settlement: Differential Response at a Mississippian-Late Woodland Interface I
General Background of Fort Ancient
Development of a Theoretical Framework
Fort Ancient Settlement Patterns
An Alternative Model of Fort Ancient Development
Fort Ancient Subsistence
The Fort Ancient System(s)
Conclusions
References
7 Caddoan Settlement Patterns in the Arkansas River Drainage I
The Arkansas Valley Caddoan
The Study Area
History of Investigations
Settlement Pattern Controls
Basic Site Types
Critical Resources
Civic Ceremonial Centers
Rank Size
Spacing of Civic-Ceremonial Centers
Settlement Patterns and Environment
Conclusions
References
8 The Settlement Pattern of the Powers Phase I
Powers Phase Research: Background
Environmental Setting
The Location of Powers Phase Sites Relative to Elevation, Soil Types, and Proximity to Major and Minor Ecotones
The Powers Phase Site Survey
The Range of Site Size in the Powers Phase
The Spatial Distribution of Powers Phase Sites
Internal Features on Powers Phase Sites
Intersite and Intrasite Variation
Powers Phase Settlement System Analysis
Future Research Goals
References
9 Missippian Settlement Patterns in the Central Illinois River Valley I
Environmental-Topographic Setting
Survey Methodology
The Regional Settlement Pattern in Broad Perspective
Internal Site Patterning and the Larson Community
Discussion
Some Research Goals for the Future
References
10 The Kincaid System: Mississippian Settlement in the Environs of a Large Site I
Environment
Research Orientation
Survey Methodology
Settlement Pattern
Internal Site Patterning
Settlement System Analysis
Research Goals for the Future
References
11 Mississippian Settlement Pattern in Southwestern Indiana I
Background and History
The Angel and Caborn-Welborn Phases
Settlement Patterns
Preliminary Models of Mississippian Settlement Patterns in Southwestern Indiana 322
Summary and Prospects
References
12 Late Prehistoric Settlement Patterning in the Yazoo Basin and Natchez Bluffs Regions of the Lower Mississippi Valley I
Background
Systems of Late Prehistoric Settlement Patterning
Summary
References
13 Determinants of Settlement Size and Location in the Moundville Phase I
Moundville Phase Sites and Settlements
Physiography and Biogeography of Moundville Phase Sites
Locational Analysis: The Black Warrior Sites
Soils and Site Locations in the Black Warrior River Valley
Moundville Phase Settlements: A Summary
References
14 Location Theory and Complex Chiefdoms: A Mississippian Example I
Complex Chiefdoms: Organization, Tribute, Political Centers
A Locational Model for Chiefly Centers
The Model Applied: The Moundville Phase
Departure from the Model: Flow of Tribute in Relation to Distance from Moundville
Summary
References
15 Cahokia and the American Bottom: Settlement Archeology I
The American Bottom
American Bottom Chronology
The Cahokia Site: Settlement Organization
American Bottom Settlements
Alternative Models
Future Research
References
16 Variation in Mississippian Settlement Patterns I
The Adaptive Niche of Mississippian Populations
Mississippian Settlement Patterning
Suggestions for Future Research
References
Subject Index