AA Spring 05 pg C1-11 2/23/05 3:59 PM Page C1 DEMYSTIFYING THE MAYA • COLONIZING WESTERN FLORIDA • THE PSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY PHENOMENON americanamerican archaeologyarchaeologySPRING 2005 a quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancy Vol. 9 No. 1 NEW RESEARCH at Moundville $3.95 AA Spring 05 pg C1-12 B 2/15/05 8:02 PM Page C2 Journey Back in Time with archaeological tours 20000 BC Caves and Castles (15 days): Prof.Roy Larick, U of Iowa,brings the Ice Age to life as we examine the painted and incised Paleolithic art in northern Spain and southern France. 424 BC Sicily and Southern Italy (17 days): 3500 BC Join Dr.Robert Bianchi,archaeologist Malta, Sardinia and and art historian,as we study Greek Corsica (18 days): See temples and theaters,Roman villas, these legendary islands Pompeii,the amazing "Bronzes of with Dr.Mattanyah Riace" and unsurpassed collections Zohar,Hebrew U,and of classical art. explore megalithic temples,nuraghic villages and mysterious cult sites. 1400 BC 175 BC The Splendors of Ancient Egypt Sri Lanka (18 days): Explore one of (20 days): Visit the monumental the first Buddhist kingdoms with Prof. archaeological treasures with our Sudharshan Seneviratne,U of Peradeniya. Egyptologist,Prof.Lanny Bell of Discover magnificent temples and palaces, Brown U,as we travel from Cairo to huge stupas and colorful rituals as we the Delta and sail up the timeless share the roads with elephants and walk Nile from Luxor to Aswan. in the footsteps of kings. Journey back in time with Archaeological Tours. We’ve been taking curious travelers on fascinating historical study tours for the past 30 years. Each one is led by a noted scholar whose knowledge and enthusiasm brings history to life and adds a memorable perspective to your journey. And every one of our 37 tours, from Ireland to China, features superb itineraries, unsurpassed service and our time-tested commitment to excellence. No wonder two-thirds of our clients choose to travel with us again and again. For more information, visit www.archaeologicaltrs.com; e-mail [email protected] or call us at 212-986-3054; toll-free 866-740-5130. Or write to: Archaeological Tours, 271 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017. And see history our way. archaeological tours LED BY NOTED SCHOLARS superb itineraries, unsurpassed service www.archaeologicaltrs.com AA Spring 05 pg C1-12 B 2/15/05 7:55 PM Page 1 american archaeology a quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancy Vol. 9 No. 1 spring 2005 COVER FEATURE 19 NEW REVELATIONS AT MOUNDVILLE BY MIKE TONER New research tells of this community’s beginning and end. 12 DEMYSTIFYING THE MAYA BY DAVID MALAKOFF Archaeologists once believed that the Maya mysteriously MOUNDVILLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK collapsed over a short period of time. This notion is facing a stern challenge. 26 COLONIZING WESTERN FLORIDA BY KC SMITH The Spanish colonized eastern and western Florida. An investigation shows how differently they approached the two regions. 33 WORKING TOGETHER BY ALISON STEIN WELLNER When the Eastern Pequot wanted to know more about their history, they consulted an archaeologist. 39 THE PECULIAR PHENOMENON OF PSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY TIM BARKER BY KENNETH L. FEDER Is the popularity of pseudoarchaeology reason for concern? 2 Lay of the Land 3 Letters 45 new acquisition A WOODLAND VILLAGE TURNED FRONTIER TOWN 5 Events The Conservancy’s latest preserve in Michigan has had 7 In the News a number of important occupations. New Dating Technique Applied to Prehistoric Hawaiian Temples • Evidence 46 new acquisition Supports Accounts of Aztec Sacrifice • HOHOKAM SITE PRESERVED WITHIN SUBDIVISION Middle Archaic Site Found in Colorado The Shamrock Estates preserve is a model for cultural resource management. 50 Field Notes 52 Reviews 47 point acquisition THE CONSERVANCY ACQUIRES A PLAQUEMINE CULTURE SITE 54 Expeditions Bayou Portage Guidry is an important prehistoric mound site. COVER: Perched atop Mound B, Moundville’s 48 point acquisition tallest structure, is a reconstructed version of IN PURSUIT OF THE FIRST MOUND BUILDERS the paramount chief’s house. Photograph by Richard Alexander Cooke, III The Conservancy preserves Louisiana’s Caney Mounds site. american archaeology 1 AA Spring 05 pg C1-12 B 2/15/05 8:02 PM Page 2 Lay of the Land An Improving Relationship he legal battle over the remains gists are working for the Eastern Pe- of Kennewick Man, the 9,400- quot tribe in Connecticut to help the T year-old skeleton found near tribe better understand their history. Kennewick, Washington, in 1996, This is not an isolated incident. All seemed to pit Native Americans across America, archaeologists are DARREN POORE against archaeologists for control of working closely with tribes. More and MARK MICHEL, President the nation’s history. While that dis- more tribes are establishing their pute did indeed emphasize (and ex- own historic preservation offices to For too many years, archaeolo- aggerate) conflict over the handling gain a greater knowledge of their gists were rightly viewed as non-Na- and disposition of human remains, it own history. They are hiring more ar- tives doing research on Natives. This was only part of the story. chaeologists every year—both Native situation is changing fast as the tribes Spurred to some degree by the and non-Native. They are building devote more resources to studying need to join forces to implement the state-of-the-art curation facilities and their own past and more Native Native American Graves Protection visitor centers on tribal lands with Americans become archaeological and Repatriation Act of 1990, archae- tribal money. The Conservancy works professionals. It is a positive develop- ologists and Indian tribes are working closely with these tribal archaeology ment that needs all of the encourage- together more than ever before. In programs to identify and preserve ar- ment it can get. this issue of American Archaeology, chaeological sites that are important we tell how non-Native archaeolo- to the tribes and the nation. Archaeology learning adventures! Excavation andTravel programs in the Southwest and the world beyond. © Branson Reynolds Native American Art & Archaeology of New Mexico An intimate look at New Mexico’s rich legacy of Native arts & crafts—through the artists’ eyes. July 10–17, 2005 Woven Containers: A Navajo Basket Weaving Workshop Create your own beautiful basket, guided by World-class Navajo weavers Lorraine and Sally Black. July 24–30, 2005 Seasons & Cycles: Pathways of Pueblo Women A fascinating exploration of the lives and times of Pueblo Indian women through history. July 31–August 6, 2005 The Excavated Past Walk through a millennium of intrigue in this retrospective study © Branson Reynolds of archaeology in the Mesa Verde region. August 21–27, 2005 For information and reservations Near Mesa Verde in Southwestern CO or for a Free 2005 program catalog 1-800-422-8975/www.crowcanyon.org CST 2059347-50 CCAC’s programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin. 2 spring • 2005 AA Spring 05 pg C1-12 B 2/15/05 8:03 PM Page 3 Letters NPS Too PC Ban “Anasazi” I was astounded to For a long time, I have Editor’s Corner read in the Winter been bothered by Our feature “The Peculiar Phenomenon of issue that the na- your use of the term Pseudoarchaeology” examines the popu- tional parks were “Anasazi.” Pueblo larity of bogus archaeology and its effects. banning certain people have made it The article’s author, Ken Feder, an archae- books from their clear that this term ologist with Central Connecticut State bookstores. When I is an inappropriate University, has been studying and writing read who the authors name for their an- about this subject for some 20 years. He were, I was even more cestors. By contrast, teaches an introductory course in archae- surprised. Some of our in articles about historic-period ology, and over the years he’s polled his best archaeological authors are sites, you respect African-Ameri- students regarding their acceptance of banned because they did not use cans by using the term they prefer various myths supported by pseudoar- the correct wording for Anasazi for themselves and their forebears. chaeology. (oops, sorry, Ancestral Puebloan) I was moved to write by your In 2003 he asked his students if there or photographed rock art. article on banned books in national is convincing evidence that the lost conti- I have read many books by park bookstores. Every bookstore nent Atlantis exists. Thirty-three percent the banned authors and will sup- in the world has criteria for choos- of his students either strongly or mildly port them in any way I can, even ing stock. No bookstore carries believed that such evidence exists. if it means returning all the every book that is printed, or even Twenty-two percent expressed strong or books I have purchased from the every book on a particular subject. mild disbelief in this evidence. Forty-five Park Service over the years (after If you ran a bookstore, I doubt that percent had no opinion. all, they are now considered “cul- you would carry titles that are con- Some people might find it surprising, turally incorrect”). It is, as one of sidered disrespectful of the people perhaps even shocking, that only 22 per- the authors, Polly Schaafsma, about whom the books were writ- cent of these university students believe stated, a “terrible infringement ten, especially if those people are Atlantis to be a fiction. Feder explained on intellectual freedom.” Politi- your co-workers and neighbors. that his is the first archaeology class that cal correctness has gone much many of these students take, and their too far.