In the 1880s the Coushatta tribe settled on Bayou Blue in southwestern Louisiana, where they rediscovered a basket-making tradition that went back centuries.  But this time basket making became an important part of the local economy, generating tourism and political mobilizations.  The distinctive baskets were also used to establish the tribe’s identity and in diplomatic exchanges.  The baskets were originally made for food storage and processing, but by 1900 they had become an important item for sale.  Coushatta baskets were originally woven from river cane.  Long leaf pine needles were added later, and the designs grew more complex and distinctive.

This story of the Coushatta basket makers is told by tribal historic preservation officer Linda Langley and Denise Bates, a historian at Arizona State University.  It is a story of perseverance against long odds by a resourceful people facing many hardships.  The success of the Coushatta basket industry is a tale of traditional knowledge of a superbly crafted fine art that grows in importance with every generation.

Louisiana State University Press, 2021; 216 pgs., illus., $45 cloth; www.lsupress.org

The Caddo culture of southeastern Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, southwestern Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana has a rich artistic tradition that dates back some 3,000 years to Woodland period ancestors and continues today with the modern Caddo Nation. Between about A.D. 800 and 1800, the Caddo thrived in what is now known as the Caddo Archaeological Area. They made both utility-ware bowls and jars, as well as fine-ware bottles, carinated bowls, and compound vessels. They also made on occasion ceramic smoking pipes, ear ornaments, figurine beads, and other items.
This volume contains fifteen essays by sixteen archaeologists and two Caddo artists and it documents the development of the Caddo ceramic tradition over the last 3,000 years. Caddo ceramics come in many styles that evolved over their long history, as did the craftsmanship of the artists. Clearly, ceramics were a very important part of Caddo life in the preparation and storage of food and beverages, as personal possessions or heirlooms, and as beautiful works of art.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the history of ceramic development and of the scholars who first discovered and studied these remarkable objects. Essays focus on the pioneers of the early twentieth century—Clarence B. Moore and Mark R. Harrington. Typological techniques were developed by James A. Ford, Clarence H. Webb, and Alex D. Krieger. Other essays feature the regional diversity of the Caddo traditions that is found in the archaeological record.

Part II focuses on ceramic variation, stylistic analysis, iconography, and community identity. The recognition and definition of past social groups is examined in detail. Part III contains two essays by contemporary Caddo potters who discuss the revival of the ceramic tradition since the 1990s.

This book is the first comprehensive study of the Caddo ceramic tradition using both archaeological and modern Caddo perspectives. It is a case study that has much broader implications than for just the Caddo, as many of the techniques and styles are used across the Southeastern United States. Fifty-nine line drawings, 193 photographs and forty maps enhance the narrative.

Louisiana State University Press, 2021; 368 pgs., illus., $75 cloth; www.lsupress.org

The Caddo culture of southeastern Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, southwestern Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana has a rich artistic tradition that dates back some 3,000 years to Woodland period ancestors and continues today with the modern Caddo Nation. Between about A.D. 800 and 1800, the Caddo thrived in what is now known as the Caddo Archaeological Area. They made both utility-ware bowls and jars, as well as fine-ware bottles, carinated bowls, and compound vessels. They also made on occasion ceramic smoking pipes, ear ornaments, figurine beads, and other items.
This volume contains fifteen essays by sixteen archaeologists and two Caddo artists and it documents the development of the Caddo ceramic tradition over the last 3,000 years. Caddo ceramics come in many styles that evolved over their long history, as did the craftsmanship of the artists. Clearly, ceramics were a very important part of Caddo life in the preparation and storage of food and beverages, as personal possessions or heirlooms, and as beautiful works of art.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the history of ceramic development and of the scholars who first discovered and studied these remarkable objects. Essays focus on the pioneers of the early twentieth century—Clarence B. Moore and Mark R. Harrington. Typological techniques were developed by James A. Ford, Clarence H. Webb, and Alex D. Krieger. Other essays feature the regional diversity of the Caddo traditions that is found in the archaeological record.

Part II focuses on ceramic variation, stylistic analysis, iconography, and community identity. The recognition and definition of past social groups is examined in detail. Part III contains two essays by contemporary Caddo potters who discuss the revival of the ceramic tradition since the 1990s.

This book is the first comprehensive study of the Caddo ceramic tradition using both archaeological and modern Caddo perspectives. It is a case study that has much broader implications than for just the Caddo, as many of the techniques and styles are used across the Southeastern United States. Fifty-nine line drawings, 193 photographs and forty maps enhance the narrative.

University of Alabama Press, 2021; 216 pgs., illus., $50 cloth or ebook; www.uapress.ua.edu

Projectile points are ubiquitous in the archaeological record.    Archeologists and amateurs have been collecting and studying them for years.  In 1964, the noted archaeologist Joffre Coe established a projectile point typology for the Carolinas that sought to establish a time line for points.  The “Coe axiom” theorized that there was only one point type for a given time and location thus making the time line feasible.

In this study of projectile points in North Carolina, Eastern Carolina University archaeologist I. Randolph Daniel, Jr. re-examines Coe’s thesis, updates his typology, and recalibrates his time line.

Daniel also examines the role of avocational archaeologists and collectors in the study of projectile points.  Thousands of points are in private collections and some are of real scientific importance to scholars.  He calls for greater cooperation between professional and amateur archaeologists that would benefit both.  Professionals gain from greatly increased data and the opportunity to improve the techniques of amateurs.  Amateurs gain from increasing their knowledge about the scientific value of their collections.

This book is a valuable case study of an important aspect of the archaeological record.  Amateurs and professionals alike will greatly benefit from it. —Mark Michel

University of Alabama Press, 2021; 232 pgs., illus. $60 cloth or ebook; www.uapress.ua.edu