The direct-historical approach in Pawnee archeology (with six plates)

The direct-historical approach in archaeology assumes the existence of an analogous relationship between historic accounts and prehistoric data, serving to establish cultural identity under the basis of cultural continuity. In this article, Dr. Waldo Wedel uses the direct-historical approach to review some preliminary findings of archaeological investigations undertaken as part of an early effort to study the Pawnee culture of eastern Nebraska. The University of Nebraska Archeological Survey was established in 1929, led by Dr. W. D. Strong, in an attempt to better understand prehistoric Pawnee culture. Previous evidence existed in the form of A. T. Hill’s artifact collection and 19th century maps and narratives. After reviewing early archaeological work conducted at various Pawnee village sites, Wedel offers a comparison of traits in historic Pawnee, Lower Loup Focus, and Oneota Aspect material culture, looking for universal traits in archaeological remains from all sites. Analysis of the data reveals that the Lower Loup Focus has a greater number of parallels in terms of material traits to the historic Pawnee. Following a discussion on the presence of early European manufactured goods and evidence supporting the presence of Pawnee in the Platte-Loupe region, Wedel concludes that there exists a direct linkage between historic and protohistoric Pawnee traditions

Report of Department of Archeology, Nebraska State Historical Society

In this report, State Archeologist E. Blackman wrote to the Nebraska State Historical Society about recently completed archeology fieldwork during 1901. Blackman first reports on recent additions to the Museum and details some of his explorations of 18 Indian village sites. Fieldwork emphasized an investigation of Pawnee sites, including the Wright Site and Burkett Site, both near Genoa. Blackman provides a month-by-month summary of his work, reporting on numerous topics including his travels, publications, and expenses. A broad overview of the archeology of Nebraska is also presented as it was known to that point. At the conclusion of Blackman’s report, N.H. Winchell, Warren Upham, and J.V. Brower collaborated to present an appendix on archeological explorations in Nehawka in the year 1902. The final section is a list and discussion of Native American linguistic families and brief histories of various tribes in Nebraska. This report is an example of the kind of archeological work occurring in Nebraska in the early 20th century prior to formal legislation regarding cultural resources

The direct-historical approach in Pawnee archeology (with six plates)

The direct-historical approach in archaeology assumes the existence of an analogous relationship between historic accounts and prehistoric data, serving to establish cultural identity under the basis of cultural continuity. In this article, Dr. Waldo Wedel uses the direct-historical approach to review some preliminary findings of archaeological investigations undertaken as part of an early effort to study the Pawnee culture of eastern Nebraska. The University of Nebraska Archeological Survey was established in 1929, led by Dr. W. D. Strong, in an attempt to better understand prehistoric Pawnee culture. Previous evidence existed in the form of A. T. Hill’s artifact collection and 19th century maps and narratives. After reviewing early archaeological work conducted at various Pawnee village sites, Wedel offers a comparison of traits in historic Pawnee, Lower Loup Focus, and Oneota Aspect material culture, looking for universal traits in archaeological remains from all sites. Analysis of the data reveals that the Lower Loup Focus has a greater number of parallels in terms of material traits to the historic Pawnee. Following a discussion on the presence of early European manufactured goods and evidence supporting the presence of Pawnee in the Platte-Loupe region, Wedel concludes that there exists a direct linkage between historic and protohistoric Pawnee traditions

Report of Department of Archeology, Nebraska State Historical Society

In this report, State Archeologist E. Blackman wrote to the Nebraska State Historical Society about recently completed archeology fieldwork during 1901. Blackman first reports on recent additions to the Museum and details some of his explorations of 18 Indian village sites. Fieldwork emphasized an investigation of Pawnee sites, including the Wright Site and Burkett Site, both near Genoa. Blackman provides a month-by-month summary of his work, reporting on numerous topics including his travels, publications, and expenses. A broad overview of the archeology of Nebraska is also presented as it was known to that point. At the conclusion of Blackman’s report, N.H. Winchell, Warren Upham, and J.V. Brower collaborated to present an appendix on archeological explorations in Nehawka in the year 1902. The final section is a list and discussion of Native American linguistic families and brief histories of various tribes in Nebraska. This report is an example of the kind of archeological work occurring in Nebraska in the early 20th century prior to formal legislation regarding cultural resources