Review by Choice Review
Milanich, coauthor with Charles Fairbanks of Florida Archaeology (1980), has written a highly readable, clearly needed, and up-to-date synthesis of the pre-Columbian archaeology of that state. Milanich's jargon-free synthesis begins with an enlightening history of archaeological research in Florida. He recounts the 12,000-year development of Native American cultures in Florida from the Paleo-Indians to the beginnings of the 16th century and provides cogent sociocultural interpretations of the rich archaeological evidence. He demonstrates the interrelationships of varied marine and freshwater econiches, environmental changes, and cultural evolution. Among the book's highlights are treatments of important sites and material culture: Windover Pond, which contained 168 preserved human bodies; the McKeithen "gateway" community; Key Marco's "wet site" wooden and fiber artifacts; and the Lake Jackson mound complex. Milanich describes the introduction of cultigens, questionable early maize cultivation, the encouragement of local flora (bottle gourds and curcubita), the "black drink" ceremony, imported ideologies (Hopewell and Mississippian), and the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex. He also demonstrates the importance of ceramics as an aid in delineating chronological phases. The 542-item bibliography is especially valuable; additional site plans would be useful. All levels. C. C. Kolb; National Endowment for the Humanities
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
