Moments of Ambiguity: Using Jesuit Rings to Highlight Periods of Cultural Entanglement within the Potomac and Rappahannock River Valleys

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Archaeological Imaginaries, Regional Realities: 50 Years of Work in the Chesapeake", at the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Archaeologists studying the Chesapeake have interpreted the long 17th century as a period of certain and extended colonialism. However, by taking a sub-regional approach when examining the period, the shifts in power between Indians and settlers become more visible. In this paper, I examined the historical contexts in which three French-manufactured, copper alloy “Jesuit” rings were deposited at the Coan Hall (44NB11), Baylor (44EX5), and Heater’s Island (18FR72) sites. Through my analysis, I found that the presence of these rings on sites within the Potomac and Rappahannock River Valleys not only represented intercultural trade but the negotiation and re-negotiation of Indigenous power and status during the long 17th century.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2024   •
• Archaeological Imaginaries, Regional Realities: 50 Years of Work in the Chesapeake

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow