Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans : Second annual report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-81, pages 179-306

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Holmes, William Henry, 1846-1933

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans" by William Henry Holmes is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work delves into the artistic expressions of ancient American cultures through the medium of shell, discussing how these artifacts serve as evidence of cultural practices and artistic development. Holmes aims to provide an exhaustive overview of the various uses and significance of shell art, which has been understated in previous archaeological literature. The opening of the book introduces the reader to the topic of ancient shell art, highlighting its historical and cultural relevance among various tribes, especially those inhabiting regions previously dominated by mound-building societies. Holmes notes that, while works in stone and pottery have been well documented, the artistry and utility of shells have been largely overlooked. He emphasizes the importance of shells not only as tools and ornaments but also as indicators of the evolving culture and commerce of these early peoples. The text aims to consolidate existing knowledge and offer an outline that will precede a more comprehensive study of shell art, inviting readers to consider the aesthetic and functional roles that these artifacts played in the lives of ancient Americans. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by PM for Bureau of American Ethnology, The Internet Archive (American Libraries) and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 58.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2013-04-20