The Archaeology of Native Societies in the Chesapeake: New Investigations and Interpretations

Abstract

Archaeological studies of Native American societies in the Chesapeake have recently incorporated a broader range of interpretive frames, including those that emphasize historical contingency and social interaction rather than cultural ecology and cultural materialism. New evidence of Woodland-period population movements, persistent places, and cycles of social ranking has prompted historically oriented interpretations that foreground particular configurations of ideology, tradition, ritual, and agency. Contact-period studies have demonstrated that native strategies of the colonial period were rooted in precontact social landscapes. Contemporary American Indians are also reclaiming their pasts in ways that challenge archaeological practices and further broaden perspectives on the Chesapeake past.

Shell Middens, Cultural Chronologies, and Coastal Settlement on the Rhode River Sub‐Estuary of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA

“…Like other parts of the Chesapeake and broader Middle Atlantic Coast there is an increase in sites after about A.D. 900–1000 corresponding with the Late Woodland period. This pattern may be attributed to population growth, increased sedentisim and use of satellite locations, focus on maize agriculture at some locations, and perhaps increased territoriality (see Dent, ; Gallivan, ). The majority of shell midden components ( n = 20) date to the Late Woodland with a continuous sequence from about A.D. 900 through the Colonial and Historic periods.…”

“…These schemes are generally based on uncalibrated and uncorrected dates often obtained decades ago. Because they are commonly used and tied to a series of diagnostic artifacts, we use them as a general framework for assessing site age and grouping sites in broad time periods similar to researchers working elsewhere in the eastern USA (e.g., Gallivan, ; Turck, : 420).…”

“…The archaeological record of the Middle Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay dates from the Paleo‐Indian period through the early 20th century (see Custer, ; Dent, ; Lowery et al., ; Gallivan, ). Like other areas of eastern North America, the region's cultural history is divided into Paleo‐Indian (B.C.…”

“…), Middle (500 B.C. to A.D. 900), and Late (A.D. 900–1600) Woodland, as well as Colonial and Historic periods (A.D. 1600–1950) (Dent, : 9; Gallivan, ). These schemes are generally based on uncalibrated and uncorrected dates often obtained decades ago.…”

δ15N Values in Crassostrea virginica Shells Provides Early Direct Evidence for Nitrogen Loading to Chesapeake Bay

“…Our archaeological samples date to the Woodland Period (including the Early [1200–500 BC], Middle [500 BC-AD 900], and Late [AD 900–1600]), and the 18 th and 19 th centuries 21 . During the Woodland period in the Chesapeake, Native American peoples practiced a largely hunting and gathering lifestyle and their populations appeared to expand during the Middle Woodland and especially during the Late Woodland, when maize agriculture appeared in parts of the region 29 30 31 . European colonization intensified in the area in the 17 th century, with colonial settlements clearing the forests and establishing large plantations on pristine agricultural land 32 33 .…”