The Spirit from the Seed: New Microfossil Evidence of Wild Rice in the Upper Great Lakes

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Within the Great Lakes and the Northeastern United States, microfossil research has primarily focused on maize (Zea mays). Further, direct evidence of starch beyond maize is equally limited. The importance of wild rice (Manoomin) as a food source, an aspect of spirituality, and other-than-human being is well known to the archaeologists of the region. However, the amount of archaeological evidence of wild rice use has yet to catch up to its well-known sister. Now, microfossil evidence of wild rice, particularly rice starch from the multicomponent Cloudman site, can contribute to the growing interest in the subject. More data of the sort may provide an opportunity to better understand production and processing activities across and between sites.

Additionally, the revitalization of indigenous wild rice and food sovereignty has grown exponentially in the last few years. As the Upper Peninsula of Michigan becomes a focal point of re-seeding efforts of Manoomin among Anishinaabe groups, Michigan, in particular the St. Mary’s River, is a promising area for new rice stands. Starch and other microfossil data may be able to contribute to that growing movement.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37491.0