The Smithsonian book of North American Indians

before the coming of the Europeans

Plot

A team of archeologists from the Smithsonian and other institutions recently unearthed information about pre-Columbian America. Based on their findings, this book reconstructs the life of the Indians of North America who filled earth, sea and sky with a "pantheon of spirits before the Bronze Age even dawned half a world away." Their diverse cultures, varied and complex languages, and environments from the first migrations to the end of the 15th century are brought to life as never before. The reader learns about Indian life before contact with Europeans changed them forever, through disease, war, technology, assimilation, and displacement. ISBN 0-8109-1510-3 (Abrams): $35.00 (For use only in the library).