Cornell University
Library
Cornell UniversityLibrary

eCommons

Help
Log In(current)
  1. Home
  2. Cornell University Graduate School
  3. Cornell Theses and Dissertations
  4. Reconciling Tradition and Innovation: An Analysis of Indigenous Iron and Lead Use, Modification, and Remanufacture at the Onöndowa'ga:' (Seneca Iroquois) White Springs Archaeological Site, Circa 1688–1715

Reconciling Tradition and Innovation: An Analysis of Indigenous Iron and Lead Use, Modification, and Remanufacture at the Onöndowa'ga:' (Seneca Iroquois) White Springs Archaeological Site, Circa 1688–1715

File(s)
Walton_cornell_0058O_11293.pdf (973.2 KB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://doi.org/10.7298/cye2-hx89
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/110473
Collections
Cornell Theses and Dissertations
Author
Walton, Alexandra Diane
Abstract

This thesis analyzes 366 iron and lead artifacts from the Onöndowa'ga:' (Seneca Iroquois) White Springs archaeological site (c. 1688–1715) in conjunction with Hodinöhsö:ni' (Haudenosaunee/Iroquois) burial data and the ethnohistoric record. Artifacts were identified by consulting reference materials, visually comparing fragmentary artifacts to complete objects at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC), and taking digital radiographs of highly corroded objects. Thirty-one of these European trade items were modified into more “traditional” forms. This represents a unique opportunity to reconcile the seemingly contradictory concepts of tradition and innovation by applying a practice-based approach to the White Springs assemblage. White Springs artifacts are compared to iron and lead assemblages from earlier Hodinöhsö:ni' sites and to the subsequent Onöndowa'ga:' Townley-Read site (c. 1715–1754) in order to examine iron and lead use, modification, and remanufacture through time. The White Springs and Townley-Read assemblages contain higher quantities of nails and hardware, while assemblages from earlier sites are comprised of more tools, implements, and modified iron. Nail, iron, and lead densities were calculated for each spatial area of the White Springs site to identify the activities performed across different spaces. An examination of the iron and lead White Springs objects additionally provided evidence of Onöndowa'ga:' construction methods, warfare tactics, hunting practices, and lead smithing techniques. Ultimately, this thesis attempts to answer several related research questions, such as, why did the Onöndowa'ga:' modify iron and lead obtained from colonial traders? How were iron and lead objects repaired and remanufactured? How were iron and lead used? Did the use of iron and lead change warfare tactics and hunting practices? How were nails used in construction? Were European or Indigenous blacksmiths present at White Springs?

Description
97 pages
Date Issued
2021-08
Keywords
Colonialism
•
Cultural Entanglement
•
Haudenosaunee
•
Iroquois
•
Object Modification
•
Tradition
Committee Chair
Jordan, Kurt Anders
Committee Member
Gleach, Frederic Wright
Degree Discipline
Archaeology
Degree Name
M.A., Archaeology
Degree Level
Master of Arts
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Type
dissertation or thesis
Link(s) to Catalog Record
https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog/15160152

Site Statistics | Help

About eCommons | Policies | Terms of use | Contact Us

copyright © 2002-2026 Cornell University Library | Privacy | Web Accessibility Assistance