North America: Artifacts from the Land of Diverse Cultures and Vast Frontiers

North America: Artifacts from the Land of Diverse Cultures and Vast Frontiers

    Filter
      1 product
      Native American Kwakiutl Cedar Whistle - 1840 to 1860 CE | Historical Cincinnati Museum
      Native American Kwakiutl Cedar Whistle - 1840 to 1860 CE | Historical Cincinnati Museum
      $2,142.00

      Journey through North America's storied past. Explore genuine artifacts from indigenous tribes to colonial settlers. Discover the tales that shaped a continent.

      "North America: A Mosaic of Cultures and Histories"

      North America, stretching from the icy realms of the Arctic to the sun-kissed deserts of Mexico, has been home to a vast array of cultures, civilizations, and stories. From the intricate totem poles of the Pacific Northwest to the cliff dwellings of the Southwest, from the mound builders of the Mississippi to the longhouses of the Iroquois, North America's history is as diverse as its landscapes.

      Dominant Cultures and Civilizations:

      • Mississippian Culture: Known for their large earthen mounds, they established significant centers like Cahokia.
      • Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi): Builders of cliff dwellings and mesa-top villages in the Southwest.
      • Iroquois Confederacy: A powerful alliance of tribes in the Northeast, they played a pivotal role in the region's history.
      • Plains Indians: Nomadic tribes known for their buffalo hunts, teepees, and intricate beadwork.

      Key Sites & Regions:

      • Cahokia: Once a bustling Mississippian city, it's renowned for Monk's Mound and its Woodhenge.
      • Chaco Canyon: A major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture, with its grand kivas and astronomical alignments.
      • Great Plains: The vast grasslands, home to tribes like the Lakota and Comanche, known for their horse culture and buffalo hunts.
      • Eastern Woodlands: Dense forests and rivers, inhabited by tribes like the Cherokee and Algonquin, known for their agriculture and woodcraft.

      Valued Materials: The cultures of North America held special reverence for:

      • Turquoise: Used in jewelry and ceremonial objects, especially in the Southwest.
      • Wampum: Beads made from shells, used for ceremonial belts and as a form of currency in the Northeast.
      • Buffalo: Central to the Plains Indians, every part of the animal was used, from hides for shelter to bones for tools.
      • Cedar and Spruce: Used by the tribes of the Pacific Northwest for totem poles, canoes, and longhouses.

      Ancient Wonders in the Modern World: The legacies of North America's indigenous cultures are still palpable today. Cahokia's mounds rise near modern-day St. Louis. The cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde and Canyon de Chelly stand as testaments to the Ancestral Puebloans. Across the continent, from the Hopi mesas to the Mohawk reserves, the traditions, stories, and languages of North America's first inhabitants endure and evolve.

      Embark on a journey across a continent with our curated collection from North America. Each artifact tells a story of ancient traditions, survival, and the deep connection between the people and the land. Dive deep into the mysteries and marvels of a land shaped by glaciers, rivers, and human hands.