🌶️new mexico history review

key term - C. B. Moore

Definition

C. B. Moore, or Clarence Bloomfield Moore, was an influential American archaeologist known for his extensive fieldwork and excavations of Native American sites in the southeastern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work significantly contributed to the understanding of prehistoric cultures, including the Ancestral Puebloans (often referred to as the Anasazi), as he sought to uncover their lifestyles and cultural practices through archaeological investigation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. C. B. Moore's excavations were some of the first systematic studies of Native American archaeological sites in the southeastern U.S., helping to establish methodologies that are still used today.
  2. He published numerous reports detailing his findings, which included artifacts and features related to the Ancestral Puebloans, thus enhancing the academic community's understanding of their culture.
  3. Moore was particularly known for his work on burial mounds, where he unearthed various artifacts that provided insights into the ceremonial practices of Native American tribes.
  4. His fieldwork was characterized by a focus on stratigraphy, which is the study of layers of soil and their contents, allowing him to interpret the chronological sequence of human occupation.
  5. Despite his contributions, Moore's methods have been critiqued for their lack of preservation and sensitivity towards the cultural significance of the sites he excavated.

Review Questions

  • How did C. B. Moore's work influence the study of Ancestral Puebloan culture in terms of excavation techniques and findings?
    • C. B. Moore's work introduced systematic excavation techniques that allowed archaeologists to better understand the layers of occupation at Ancestral Puebloan sites. His detailed reports on the artifacts uncovered during his excavations provided valuable insights into their daily lives, social structures, and ceremonial practices. By establishing a methodology that focused on stratigraphy, Moore set a precedent for future archaeological investigations into this rich cultural heritage.
  • Evaluate the significance of C. B. Moore’s findings on burial mounds in relation to understanding Native American ceremonial practices.
    • C. B. Moore's excavations of burial mounds revealed a wealth of artifacts that highlighted the complex ceremonial practices of Native American tribes associated with these mounds. The items found, such as pottery, tools, and ornaments, indicated not only the status of individuals buried but also suggested elaborate rituals and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. This knowledge has greatly enhanced our understanding of how these communities honored their dead and reflected their cultural values through burial practices.
  • Critically analyze the impact of C. B. Moore’s archaeological methodologies on modern perceptions of Native American cultures, including both positive contributions and ethical considerations.
    • C. B. Moore’s archaeological methodologies have had a lasting impact on modern perceptions of Native American cultures by establishing rigorous excavation practices that prioritize systematic data collection. However, his approach has also raised ethical considerations regarding the treatment of sacred sites and artifacts. Critics argue that Moore's lack of sensitivity towards the cultural significance of these sites led to irreparable losses in heritage. This tension between advancing archaeological science and respecting indigenous cultures continues to shape discussions in contemporary archaeology about how to responsibly study and preserve historical legacies.

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