Ephraim George Squier and the development of American anthropology (Critical Studies in the History of Anthropology)

Du site de l'éd.: Ephraim George Squier and the Development of American Anthropology is an intellectual biography of Ephraim Squier (1821-88) and his contributions to the development of the nascent disciplines of archaeology and anthropology. During his career, which spanned the years 1845-77, Squier consistently articulated the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to the study of humankind. Although Squier is best known today for the classic book he coauthored with Edwin H. Davis, Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, Terry A. Barnhart shows that Squier's fieldwork and interpretive contributions to archaeology and anthropology continued over the next three decades. He turned his attention to comparative studies and to fieldwork in Central America and Peru. He became a diplomat and an entrepreneur yet still found time to conduct archaeological investigations in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Peru and to gather ethnographic information on contemporary indigenous peoples in those countries. He published an important and still not fully appreciated comparative study, The Serpent Symbol, and the Worship of the Reciprocal Principles of Nature in America, which attempted to systematically account for parallel cultural developments that he attributed to the psychic unity of humankind. A wealth of unpublished sources illuminate Squier's wide-ranging interests and controversial career, his intellectual circle, and the public interests of an energetic and expansive American nation. Terry A. Barnhart offers us the first intellectual biography that explores the personal and professional life of a remarkable and significant figure in the history of American anthropology Ephraim George Squier And The Development Of American Anthropology Is An Intellectual Biography Of Ephraim Squier (1821-88) And His Contributions To The Development Of The Nascent Disciplines Of Archaeology And Anthropology. During His Career, Which Spanned The Years 1845-77, Squier Consistently Articulated The Need For A More Holistic And Integrated Approach To The Study Of Humankind. Although Squier Is Best Known Today For The Classic Book He Coauthored With Edwin H. Davis, Ancient Monuments Of The Mississippi Valley, Terry A. Barnhart Shows That Squier's Fieldwork And Interpretive Contributions To Archaeology And Anthropology Continued Over The Next Three Decades. He Turned His Attention To Comparative Studies And To Fieldwork In Central America And Peru. He Became A Diplomat And An Entrepreneur Yet Still Found Time To Conduct Archaeological Investigations In Nicaragua, Honduras, And Peru And To Gather Ethnographic Information On Contemporary Indigenous Peoples In Those Countries. A Wealth Of Unpublished Sources Illuminate Squier's Wide-ranging Interests And Controversial Career, His Intellectual Circle, And The Public Interests Of An Energetic And Expansive American Nation. Terry A. Barnhart Offers Us The First Intellectual Biography That Explores The Personal And Professional Life Of A Remarkable And Significant Figure In The History Of American Anthropology.--jacket. Prologue: Ephraim George Squier And The History Of American Anthropology -- Literary Ambitions : The Genesis Of An Anthropologist -- In Search Of The Mound Builders : The Squier-davis Association -- Archaeology And The Smithsonian Institution : Editing And Publishing The Squier-davis Manuscript -- Interpreting The Mound Builders : The Archaeology Of Squier And Davis -- Revisiting The Mounds : The Iroquois And The Archaeology Of Western New York -- The Burden Of Proof : American Indian Traditions And The Walam Olum -- Idols And Indians : The Archaeology And Ethnology Of Nicaragua -- The Mind Of Man : The Serpent Symbol And The Reciprocal Principles Of Nature -- Nahua Nations And Migrations : The Archaeology And Ethnology Of Honduras And San Salvador -- Ancient Peru : An Indigenous Civilization -- The Science Of Men And Nations : Ephraim George Squier And The American School Of Ethnology -- Epilogue : Insanity And The Eclipse Of Genius. Terry A. Barnhart. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 407-413) And Index. Du site de l'éd.: Ephraim George Squier and the Development of American Anthropology is an intellectual biography of Ephraim Squier (1821-88) and his contributions to the development of the nascent disciplines of archaeology and anthropology. During his career, which spanned the years 1845-77, Squier consistently articulated the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to the study of humankind. Although Squier is best known today for the classic book he coauthored with Edwin H. Davis, Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, Terry A. Barnhart shows that Squier's fieldwork and interpretive contributions to archaeology and anthropology continued over the next three decades. He turned his attention to comparative studies and to fieldwork in Central America and Peru. He became a diplomat and an entrepreneur yet still found time to conduct archaeological investigations in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Peru and to gather ethnographic information on contemporary indigenous peoples in those countries. He published an important and still not fully appreciated comparative study, The Serpent Symbol, and the Worship of the Reciprocal Principles of Nature in America, which attempted to systematically account for parallel cultural developments that he attributed to the psychic unity of humankind. A wealth of unpublished sources illuminate Squier's wide-ranging interests and controversial career, his intellectual circle, and the public interests of an energetic and expansive American nation. Terry A. Barnhart offers us the first intellectual biography that explores the personal and professional life of a remarkable and significant figure in the history of American anthropology Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Series Editors’ Introduction......Page 16 Prologue......Page 20 1. Literary Ambitions......Page 32 2. In Search of the Mound Builders......Page 49 3. Archaeology and the Smithsonian......Page 70 4. Interpreting the Mound Builders......Page 89 5. Revisiting the Mounds......Page 121 6. The Burden of Proof......Page 137 7. Idols and Indians......Page 169 8. The Mind of Man......Page 206 9. Nahua Nations and Migrations......Page 233 10. Ancient Peru......Page 263 11. The Science of Men and Nations......Page 300 Epilogue......Page 336 A Note on Archival Sources......Page 352 Notes......Page 358 Bibliography......Page 426 Index......Page 434 The anthropological career of Ephraim George Squier is an intriguing mixture of exploration, adventure, and original scholarship.