American Indian Ways of Life: An Interpretation of the Archaeology of Illinois and Adjoining AreasDeuel, Thorne
History
American Indian Ways of Life: An Interpretation of the Archaeology of Illinois and Adjoining Areas
Deuel, Thorne
Illinois -- Antiquities; Indians of North America -- Illinois
RELIGION: The set of beliefs (Sacred Tradition), rules (tabus), and
activities (including rituals) that govern the life of a society
with regard to those superhuman forces with which the individual
feels himself surrounded and which neither he nor his group by
themselves can control. Religious practice includes prayers or
requests for the continuance of well-being and life’s necessities,
thanksgiving for past blessings, and a belief in the necessity of
right conduct of the individuals in their daily living. In all known
primitive religions, a belief in some form exists of spirit beings
and/or gods with superhuman powers. See FORMALIZED RELIGION.
ROCK SHELTER: An overhanging rock ledge facing away from the prevailing
wind that afforded protection to a primitive family from the
elements and wild animals.
ROUGH STONE: This term refers to stone used as it occurs in nature with
virtually no artificial modification other than that resulting from
use such as a common hammerstone, an unworked abrader, or a grinding
stone. The stone may have a relatively smooth surface due to natural
causes.
SACRED TRADITION: The term used here to signify the embodiment of the
significant (effective) beliefs and rules that governed the behavior
and activities of a primitive tribe in matters relating to the
unseen world of spirits (or gods) and unknown forces, which were
handed down from generation to generation. It is usually included in
the inept term “mythology” which may also contain tales and legends
that serve for mere entertainment.
SELF-DOMESTICATION STAGE: The earliest stage of true human culture which
began presumably with the discovery of controlled flint chipping and
the invention of flint tool types. During this stage, man is enabled
to secure a fairly constant food supply by hunting and collecting,
keeps his young under parental care and control for several years
and learns to accommodate himself more or less peaceably to his
family and to fellow tribesmen during brief periods of religious and
social gatherings.
SHAMAN: A person who by virtue of dreams or visions believes he can
communicate with spirits, obtain from them superhuman powers for the
benefit of his social group and tribe and who has demonstrated these
abilities over a greater or longer time to the satisfaction of his
fellows.
SHELLS, MARINE: Shells from the ocean or Gulf of Mexico, raw materials
secured by traders or through exchange for other goods. The most
common marine shells found in Illinois cultures are the _Cassis
madagascarensis_ (Hopewellian), the Busycon or Fulgar (Middle
Mississippi and Hopewellian), _Marginella_ (Initial Woodland,
Hopewellian and Middle Mississippi), _Oliva_ (Middle Mississippi),
and _Olivella_ (Hopewellian).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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