Fort St. Joseph Revealed: The Historical Archaeology of a Fur Trading Post

Fort St. Joseph Revealed is the first synthesis of archaeological and documentary data on one of the most important French colonial outposts in the western Great Lakes region. It was home to a flourishing fur trade society from the 1680s to 1781 and material evidence of the site was discovered in 1998. Contributors analyze material remains to reconstruct the foodways, architectural traditions, crafts, trade, and hide-processing methods of the fur trade. They discuss the complex relationship between the French traders and local Native populations, who relied on each other for survival and forged links across their communities through intermarriage and exchange.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2019
Publisher: University Press of Florida

Fort St. Joseph Revealed is a groundbreaking synthesis of archaeological and documentary data on one of the most significant French colonial outposts in the western Great Lakes region. Situated in present-day Michigan, Fort St. Joseph thrived as a bustling fur trade society from the 1680s to 1781. For centuries, the site's material evidence lay hidden, until it was rediscovered in 1998 by volume editor Michael Nassaney and his colleagues. These essays summarize their extensive excavations at the fort and surrounding areas.

Contributors analyze a wide range of material remains, including animal bones, lead seals, smudge pits, and various everyday detritus, to reconstruct the foodways, architectural traditions, crafts, trade, and hide-processing methods of the fur trade. They delve into the intricate relationship between the French traders and the local Native populations, who relied on each other for survival and forged strong connections through intermarriage and exchange, while maintaining their distinct cultural identities. Faunal remains excavated at the site reveal that the French quickly adopted Native cuisine, as they were unable to transport perishable goods over long distances. Copper kettles and other imported objects from Europe were transformed by Native Americans into decorative ornaments such as tinkling cones, and French textiles served as a medium of stylistic expression in the multi-ethnic community that developed at Fort St. Joseph.

This volume offers a thought-provoking exploration of the award-winning public archaeology program at the site, showcasing the potential of community-based service-learning initiatives to harness the analytical power at the intersection of history and archaeology. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of this significant chapter in North American history.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813056425