Acculturation in the Upper Middle Missouri Valley as Reflected in Modified Bone Assemblages

Weston, Timothy

Publication

Acculturation in the Upper Middle Missouri Valley as Reflected in Modified Bone Assemblages

Weston, Timothy

Abstract

During the process of contact, the Plains Village peoples of the Upper Middle Missouri Valley were exposed to repeated smallpox epidemics and the introduction of Euro-American technology. This dissertation traces the resulting process of acculturation through analysis of changes in bone tool assemblages from three carefully tested Hidatsa earthlodge villages at the mouth of the Knife River in central North Dakota. Test excavations were carried out at Lower Hidatsa (32ME10), Sakakawea (32ME11), and Big Hidatsa (32ME12) villages, all of which were occupied by subgroups of the Hidatsa prior to and during the period of Euro-American contact. A total of 894 bone tools were recovered from the three sites. They were classified according to the established bone tool typology for the Middle Missouri and coded for computer-assisted manipulation. The bone tools were tabulated with reference to provenience, component, and a series of tool-specific variables in order to ascertain the assemblage structure for each site. The assemblages from all three sites were then combined into one continuous sequence from A.D. 1400-1845 so that changes could be observed throughout the process of contact with reference to the Indirect, Middlemen, and Direct periods of the fur trade. The Indirect trade period began by A.D. 1600, with observable changes in the bone tool assemblage as metal tools reached the villages through other Indian groups. Small frequencies of bone tools modified with metal are present, and small piercing tools or awls are very low in frequency. By the end of the Indirect trade period in A.D. 1750, knife handles with metal slots are present, and Increases in scapula tools and expedient tools can be documented. On the basis of these changes, substantial social disruptions are postulated prior to actual contact with Euro-Americans. During the Middlemen and Direct trade periods, increases in scapula tools, expedient tools, and bone tools modified with metal can be documented as the Hidatsa achieved maximum Involvement in the fur trade. It is proposed that these changes reflect continuing social disruption and an increasing level of dependence upon the traders.