Review by Choice Review
Smith (Middle Tennessee State Univ.) and Miller provide the first extensive and systematic attempt to document Middle Mississippian (ca. 1000-1350 CE) stone statues recovered through accident or archaeological excavation over the past 200 years. Most are concentrated in the Tennessee-Cumberland region. The first chapter outlines the general physical features of the sculptures--posture, hairstyle, facial features, etc.--and early ideas about them as "idols." The second and third chapters define the main artistic style of the core from middle Tennessee; chapters 4-6 examine those from northern Georgia, Ohio, and the Mississippi Valley. Finally, chapter 7 has an extensive discussion of the earliest historic references to statues by 16th- and 17th-century explorers, as well as ethnographic data on religious themes and myths. The authors conclude that these works involve either paired couples representing founding ancestors of chiefly lineages or single, mainly "Old Woman" or Earth Mother, themes associated with agriculture and fertility. Appendix A tabulates data on the condition and site location of the 88 known statues, while appendix B discusses fakes. Although this book is written for professional and avocational archaeologists, art historians and individuals interested in American Indians will enjoy it. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels/libraries. P. J. O'Brien emeritus, Kansas State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
