The Chitimacha Migration to the Eastern Atchafalaya Basin

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This poster delves into the complex history of the Chitimacha Tribe, tracing their migration and cultural transformation in the face of colonization. The arrival of the French marked a pivotal moment, introducing diseases, displacement, and cultural assimilation to the tribe. This research synthesizes historical documents, archaeological findings, and georeferenced maps to unravel the tribe's migration journey to the eastern Atchafalaya Basin. Through historical analysis and spatial visualization, the study explores how the Chitimacha navigated their changing environment and power dynamics with neighboring tribes.

Utilizing historical accounts from figures like Swanton, Gatschet, and Swadesh, as well as georeferenced maps, this research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary methods in understanding the Chitimacha Tribe’s past. By depicting settlement patterns over time, the study contributes to the knowledge of the tribe's history while recognizing the gaps in existing research. The findings shed light on the tribe's past and emphasize the need for continued collaboration with the Chitimacha community. Acknowledging the limitations of historical maps and documents, this work advocates for the inclusion of Indigenous voices and perspectives in reconstructing their history. This study paves the way for deeper exploration, cultural revitalization, and cooperative research that empowers the Chitimacha Tribe to reclaim their silenced narrative.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38340.0