edited by Adam King
contributions by Kathryn E. Parker, Jenna M. Hamlin, Laura Kozuch, Lucretia Starr Schryver Kelly, David H. Dye, Jon Muller, John F. Scarry, Lynne P. Sullivan, Timothy R. Pauketat, Paul Shawn Marceaux, Julieann Van Nest and Susan M. Alt
University of Alabama Press, 2007
Cloth: 978-0-8173-1554-2 | Paper: 978-0-8173-5409-1 | eISBN: 978-0-8173-8136-3
Library of Congress Classification E99.M6815S68 2007

ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK

A timely, comprehensive reevaluation of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex.

One of the most venerable concepts in Southeastern archaeology is that of the Southern Cult. The idea has its roots in the intensely productive decade (archaeologically) of the 1930s and is fundamentally tied to yet another venerable concept—Mississippian culture. The last comprehensive study of the melding of these two concepts into the term Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC) is more than two decades old, yet our understanding of the objects, themes, and artistic styles associated with the SECC have changed a great deal. New primary data have come to light that bear directly on the complex, requiring a thorough reanalysis of both concepts and dating. Recent publications have ignited many debates about the dating and the nature of the SECC.

This work presents new data and new ideas on the temporal and social contexts, artistic styles, and symbolic themes included in the complex. It also demonstrates that engraved shell gorgets, along with other SECC materials, were
produced before A.D. 1400.