Journal article
Precontact Use of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) in Iowa, USA
Ethnobiology letters, Vol.16(1), pp.56-69
07/24/2025
DOI: 10.14237/ebl.16.1.2025.1935
Abstract
Excavation of a cave in eastern Iowa (USA) revealed a feature containing charred wood of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) dating to ca. AD 300-400. Taxon identification was based on wood anatomy and species distribution. Balsam fir, a boreal forest species, does not currently grow near the cave but is restricted in Iowa to paleorefugia at algific talus slopes. Balsam fir's widespread medicinal and ceremonial use, along with the common ritual uses of caves throughout eastern and central North America, suggest the cave might have been the locus of a sweat bath, analogous to sweat lodges used for healing and purification.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Precontact Use of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) in Iowa, USA
- Creators
- William Green - University of IowaKathryn E. Parker
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Ethnobiology letters, Vol.16(1), pp.56-69
- DOI
- 10.14237/ebl.16.1.2025.1935
- ISSN
- 2159-8126
- eISSN
- 2159-8126
- Publisher
- Soc Ethnobiology
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/24/2025
- Academic Unit
- Office of the State Archaeologist
- Record Identifier
- 9985121508902771
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