Corey Village and the Cayuga World - (Iroquois and Their Neighbors) by Jack Rossen (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Cayuga are one of the original five nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a powerful alliance of Native American tribes in the Northeast, inhabiting much of the land in what is now central New York State. When their nation was destroyed in the Sullivan-Clinton campaign of 1779, the Cayuga endured 200 years of displacement. As a result, relatively little is known about the location, organization, or ambience of their ancestral villages. Perched on a triangular finger of land against steep cliffs, the sixteenth-century village of Corey represents a rare source of knowledge about the Cayuga past, transforming our understanding of how this nation lived.

In Corey Village and the Cayuga World, Rossen collects data from archaeological investigations of the Corey site, including artifacts that are often neglected, such as nonprojectile lithics and ground stone. In contrast with the conventional narrative of a population in constant warfare, analysis of the site's structure and materials suggests a peaceful landscape, including undefended settlements, free movement of people, and systematic trade and circulation of goods. These findings lead to a broad summary of Cayuga archaeological research, shedding new light on the age of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the role of the Cayuga in the American Revolution. Beyond the comprehensive analysis of artifacts, the Corey site excavation is significant for its commitment to the practice of "indigenous archaeology," in which Native wisdom, oral history, collaboration, and participation are integral to the research.

Review Quotes

A richly informative historical account of the thriving Cayuga world through the perspective of the Corey site, a dynamic sixteenth-century village on the eve of European contact. This study fills a void as it is the first book published on Cayuga archaeology.-- "Jordan E. Kerber, professor of anthropology and Native American studies, Colgate University"

A welcome and data-rich volume that will be of interest to the descendant community, Iroquoian archaeologists, and others working in northeastern North America.-- "American Antiquity"

An excellent tool for the study and teaching of art history, contemporary art, Indigenous critical theory, and the legacy of settler colonialism.-- "NAIS Reviews"

Presents the results of two field seasons of archaeological excavations at a native North American village site in New York State. . . .The analyses and results were presented in a clear and well organized way and the importance of this investigation was placed into the broader history of New York and the Cayuga people. This book would be an excellent example for anyone wanting to learn more about what a comprehensive archaeological study is and how it is conducted.-- "Historical Geography"

Rossen well situates the political impact of archaeological research on contemporary indigenous communities and realizes a model for changing the relations between scholars and the descendants of the people who lived in the sites they dig.-- "Kurt Jordan, associate professor of anthropology and American Indian studies, Cornell University"

The importance of this book is that it is the first monograph on Indigenous archaeology involving a nation of the Haudenosaunee. Jack Rossen and his colleagues should be congratulated on their efforts as archaeologists to make a real difference in the lives of the Cayuga--the ultimate goal of Indigenous archaeology.-- "Journal of Anthropological Research"

This volume makes a significant contribution to Cayuga archaeology through the thorough analyses of the various artifact categories recovered at the Corey site. It will inform regional syntheses for many years to come.-- "Lisa Marie Anselmi, associate professor and chair of anthropology, SUNY Buffalo"

About the Author

Jack Rossen is professor in the Department of Anthropology at Ithaca College.