Traditions and Cultural Transformations: European Copper-Based Kettles and Jesuit Rings from 17th Century Amerindian Sites

Abstract

The basic question posed by the establishment of the initial interaction between Amerindian populations and Europeans in America is that of understanding the importance of the transformation of the traditional cultural fabric of the former by the spread of cultural traits originating from the latter. Copper alloy kettles, as well as, so-called “Jesuit” rings discovered in archaeological sites of Northeastern North America (southern Ontario, central Quebec) dating from the 17th century permit us to suggest that the contribution of new material goods is inscribed more in a process of integration to existing tradition, rather than to a process of radical modification of the latter.