Illustrated Catalogue of a Portion of the Collections Made During the Field Season of 1881: Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 427-510
Written by William Henry Holmes
Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free
About this book
Reading guide
Themes, characters and key ideas in Illustrated Catalogue of a Portion of the Collections Made During the Field Season of 1881: Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1881-82, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1884, pages 427-510, written by Chaptra AI.
- about 8 hours
- advanced
- Informative
- Academic
- Descriptive
William H. Holmes's "Illustrated Catalogue of a Portion of the Collections Made During the Field Season of 1881" is a pivotal late 19th-century scientific publication from the Bureau of Ethnology, meticulously documenting ethnological and archaeological artifacts. The work systematically catalogs items, primarily tools, pottery, and ornamental objects, collected from Native American sites across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas, among other regions. It commences with an introduction detailing the collection efforts led by Edward Palmer, who explored territories associated with the Cherokee and various mound-building cultures. The catalog provides detailed descriptions of each artifact, emphasizing their uses, characteristics, and cultural significance, thereby serving as an invaluable ethnographic and archaeological resource for understanding indigenous life during that era.
“The collections made during the field season of 1881 represent a significant effort to document the material culture of the indigenous peoples of the southeastern United States.”
Key themes
- Documentation and Preservation of Indigenous Culture
- The core purpose of the catalogue is to systematically document and preserve the material culture of Native American peoples. This theme reflects a late 19th-century effort to record and understand indigenous societies, often driven by a belief that these cultures were rapidly disappearing due to westward expansion and assimilation policies. The meticulous descriptions and classification serve as a historical record against this perceived loss.
- Scientific Method and Classification
- The catalogue exemplifies the scientific methodology of early anthropology and archaeology. It emphasizes empirical observation, systematic collection, detailed description, and rigorous classification as the means to understand human history and culture. This approach sought to bring scientific objectivity to the study of human societies, moving away from anecdotal accounts.
- Material Culture as Historical Record
- The book fundamentally argues that artifacts are not merely objects but tangible evidence of past human lives, technologies, beliefs, and social structures. By meticulously describing these items, the catalogue posits that material culture provides invaluable insights into the daily practices, artistic expressions, and technological capabilities of indigenous peoples who left no written records.
Worth discussing
How does this catalog reflect the scientific and cultural attitudes towards Native American populations in the late 19th century?
Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.
Discussions
No one has started one yet
Questions this book opens up
No discussions yet
Be the first to start a discussion about this book!
Sign up to start the discussionReviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to review this book!