Plains Indian Studies - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

ABSTRACT
Ubelaker, Douglas H., and Herman J. Viola, editors. Plains Indian Studies:
A Collection of Essays in Honor of John C. Ewers and Waldo R. Wedel.
Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology, number 30, 218 pages, 35 figures, 4
tables, 4 plates, 1982.—Much of our knowledge of the ethnology, material
culture, and prehistory of the Plains of the United States can be linked with
the careers and careful research of the Smithsonian's John C. Ewers and
Waldo R. Wedel. Following their retirement, the Smithsonian chose to
recognize their outstanding contributions to science by sponsoring a two-day
symposium in their honor. The essays in this volume result from that symposium
and are designed to illuminate both the diversity of their interests and
the intensity of their research efforts. Biographical sketches of both men are
provided by William N. Fenton and James H. Gunnerson, followed by their
complete bibliographies. Smithsonian historical perspective is added by T.D.
Stewart. The remaining essays focus on original research that relates to their
career interests conducted by individuals whom they have influenced. These
authors and their subjects are Douglas R. Parks on the scalped man character
in Arikara and Pawnee folklore, Thomas R. Wessel on problems of adaptation
among the Blackfeet Indians, Loretta Fowler on political developments among
the Northern Arapahoe and Gros Ventres, Hugh A. Dempsey on the nature
of band organization among nonhorticultural Plains Indians, James A. Hanson
on the evolution of Plains garments during the years of initial Indian-
White contact, Mildred Mott Wedel on the historical ethnology of the
Wichita-speaking peoples in the southern Central Plains, David Mayer Gradwohl
on the use of mussel shells in the removal of corn kernels for drying,
Brian Hesse on problems of faunal analysis, John A. Hotopp on the Central
Plains tradition in Iowa, George C. Prison on Paleo-Indian winter subsistence
strategies, and Dennis J. Stanford on a review of the evidence for the early
presence of man in the New World.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded
in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: Sioux Indian hide
painting depicting mounted warriers.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Main entry under title: '
Plains Indian studies.
(Smithsonian contributions to anthropology ; no. 30)
Bibliography: p.
Supt. of Docs, no.: SI 1.30:30
1. Indians of North America—Great Plains—Addresses, essays, lectures. 2. Ewers, John
Canfield—Addresses, essays, lectures. 3. Wedel, Waldo R. (Waldo Rudolph), ' 1908-
—Addresses, essays, lectures. I. Ewers, John Canfield. II. Wedel Waldo Rudolph
1908- III. Ubelaker, Douglas H. IV. Viola, Herman J. V Series '
GN1.S54 no. 30 [E78.G73] 301s 81-607137 [978'.00497] AAGR2