Woodland Indians Illustrated Lpb

The Woodland Indians and their ancestors are North America's "missing link." An understanding of who these prehistoric inhabitants were and how they lived would unlock the secret of our continent's past. Because there are no written records of their activities, which date back perhaps 30,000 years, historians must piece together these ancient lives by careful examination of all available evidence, more of which is continually being unearthed. Through such meticulous research and his skillful and articulate pen, C. Keith Wilbur brings to life the vanished cultures of the Woodland Indians. Focusing mainly on the period from 1000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., his text and illustrations combine to tell of these Indians' leadership, religious beliefs, seasonal celebrations, agriculture and warfare. Going beyond the purely factual, this intriguing volume addresses some compelling questions. Among them are when did the bow and arrow become the weapon of choice? Why did the Ohio mound builders build such earthen monuments? Why did the Southeastern tribes build Mayanlike temple mounds? How did the "Red Paint People" come by their name? Why did prisoner sacrifice and cannibalism become part of the Southeastern Iroquoian warfare? In addition to the culture of the Woodlands, Dr. Wilbur also discusses Indian subcultures found within this vast region, including the great nations of the Algonquians, the Iroquois, and the Southeastern tribes.