American Chronology
This document uses the term "before present" expressed as "BP" following dates. Some examples are:
0 BP = 2000 AD
500 BP = 1500 AD
2000 BP = 0 BC
2500 BP = 500 BC
3000 BP = 1000 BC
10,000 BP = 8,000 BC
In actuality this system began in 1958, so present is 1958 for exact calculation purposes. For the purposes of this class we can use the year 2000 as the calculation date.
A. Archaic [PaleoIndian, preColumbian, precontact] Era
1. pre 500 BP (1500 AD)
a. California
i. Tommy Tucker Cave, oldest remains.
ii. Windmiller, city six miles in diameter.
iii. Channel Islands, steatite workers
iv. Coso Range, 6,000 year petroglyph record.
v. San Dieguito I, II and La Jollan, skeletal remains.
vi. many, many more.
b. Woodlands.
i. Meadowcroft, PA, 19,000 BP
ii. Cahokia, IL, solar oriented buildings.
iii. Spiro, OK, charnel houses.
iv. Etowah, GA, advanced ceramics.
v. Moundville, AL, largest site.
vi. many, many more.
c. Southwest.
i. Betatakin, AZ, largest cliff city.
ii. Canyon de Chelly, AZ, Hopi holy place.
iii. Chaco Canyon, NM, largest kiva found.
iv. Mesa Verde, CO, densest occupation.
v. Acoma, NM , oldest continuously inhabited town in America (3000 BP)?
vi. many, many more.
2. bone, stone, pottery, shell, pictographs, petroglyphs, geoglyphs, ivory, copper, silver, and mica are typically the only things preserved.
a. Desert areas too alkaline for survival of organics, Wet areas too condusive to rot.
b. Dry caves hold the best preserved artifacts.
i. baskets, sandals, mats, herbs, arrow shafts, bows, wooden handles, decoys, mummies are the exceptions common in dry caves, not entombed, packrat nests.
c. anaerobic entombment by mud or tar or pitch.
i. Ozette, a Makah settlement in northwest Washington
3. designs reflect activities and things in the natural environment.
a. big horn sheep, people, cactus, unknown symbols.
B. Historic [Colonial] Era
1. 500 - 100 BP (1493 - 1890 AD)
a. Many locations, No and So.
2. all Archaic materials plus steel, glass, porcelain, paper, pencil, cloth, wool, tin.
a. much in collections.
b. old forms but also knives, glasses, kettles, plates, crates, coins, buttons.
3. designs old forms plus horseback riders, English, Spanish language, floral designs
C. Contemporary [Modern] Era.
1. post 1890 AD. Why is this date important?
a. locations diminish, then expand
2. Many diverse materials, but more new and fewer ancient ones oils and acrylics, cloth, white glue, plastic, prints
a. private and public collecting - basket craze
b. fewer old forms more newer forms, portraits, abstracts, tennis shoes, cars