The Archaeology of Religion in America

Summary

This paper provides a brief overview of our forthcoming book on the historical archaeology of religious beliefs and practices in America.  The archaeology of religion has included traditional fieldwork, as well as aboveground archaeology.  Many archaeologists have focused their attention on religious communities and places of worship: churches, Quaker meeting houses, Jewish synagogues, Buddhist temples, Pueblo kivas and Mormon temples.  In California, the Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast, archaeologists have refined our understanding of the intereactions between missionaries and Native Americans.  Researchers have also studied Native-American revitalization momvements and their material manifestations.  Other scholars have examined traditional African religions and their manifestations in the New World.  Finally, the hidden world of folk beliefs and magic has a passionate following among archaeologists.  religion has been and remains a potent force in shaping American culture.  Through its archaeological study we can better understand our past and who we are today.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The American Experience in Archaeological Perspective   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 199