An Archaeology of the Soul: North American Indian Belief and Ritual

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive ethnography, limited archaeology.
Review: Culture Historical in nature. Draws from a wide range of ethnographic and historical sources,weaving data into a general interpretation of Eastern North American Indian mortuary ritual. Author emphasizes that the more things seem to have changed, the more they actually remained the same. Employs a less-than-direct historical approach to support a limited consideration of the archaeological record. This well written and ethnographically comprehensive inquiry challenges convention by speculating beyond the obvious. Flannery's "Old Timer" would have loved it. Recommended as an undergraduate text or fireside reader.

Rating:
Summary: A clear explanation of the persistence of Indian religion.
Review: I find this book extremely pleasing and thought-provoking. Using a wealth of sources, Hall shows the persistence of Native American belief into modern times among a number of tribal groups. It is an overview that enabled me to see how deeply rooted some of today's Indian religion is in an ancient past. Not an easy read, but it is richly rewarding for the patient reader, and exciting in the breadth of its insight and dimensions.