Archaeology of Louisiana /

This book would be important to anyone interested in Louisiana archaeology, if only for its 106-page bibliography! Editor Rees's fundamental purpose is to present a summary of the state's archaeology approximately to date. He begins with a discussion of the history of research in the state, starting in 1845, and the ecological settings facing human occupation over time. The collection uses the classic period format for pre-Columbian life, beginning with Paleo-Indian and the Early Archaic, 11,500-8000, 8000-6000 BCE; Middle Archaic, 6000-2000 BCE; Poverty Point, ca. 1730-1250 BCE; Early Woodland, 800 BCE to 1 CE; Middle Woodland, 1-400 CE; Late Woodland, 400-900 CE; and the elaborate Mississippian period cultures ending ca. 1500 CE. The contributors present the most up-to-date information on these cultural traditions. Additionally, refreshingly, there are eight chapters on historic archaeology dealing with Caddo Indian, Spanish, French, and American early colonial life, and, intriguingly, African Americans. Here the author traces the impact of the slaves' African lifeways to the present population. Finally, chapters cover underwater archaeology and the urbanization of New Orleans. Anyone interested in the history of Louisiana as revealed through archaeology will like this book. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. P. J. O'Brien emeritus, Kansas State University