Archaeological Insights into the Custer Battle: An Assessment of the 1984 Field Season

by Douglas D. Scott and Richard A. Fox

Book Overview

In August, 1983, a grassfire raged up Deep Ravine and across the dry, grass-covered battlefield where, in 1876, men of the Seventh U.S. Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer had fought and died at the hands of a Sioux and Cheyenne force led by Sitting Bull. The removal of the normally dense ground cover revealed enough evidence to suggest that an archaeological survey would be fruitful and perhaps could address some unanswered questions about the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806120657
• ISBN13: 9780806120652
• Release Date: June 1987
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 154 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.9" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Just the first analysis....

Readers have to understand that this was just the first book written on the battlefield archaeological project that spanned a number of years. The work culminated in a second work, Archaeology, History, and Custer's Last Battle: The Little Big Horn Reexamined Several other co-workers and collaborators have also published on their work on the archeological and forensic pathology of the battlefield. Don't judge the conclusions of this work too harshly. As a geoscientist, I would much rather put faith in hard forensic evidence and statistical analysis, than recreations of events based on hearsay, ax grinding, faulty remembrances, flag waving, hero worship, personal bias and any other self serving motivation humans are subject to. Fox uses sound scientific analysis to lay out a time line and sequence of events that has at least been accepted by the National Park Service. But there will still be experts with thier opinions based on conjecture and arm waving sallying forth to do battle and tilt at windmills.

It sheds new light on the battle

This is an excellent book because it cuts through the partisan pro Custer, anti Custer views that are the main theme in almost all the books about the battle written to date. I highly recommend all the books written by Fox on this subject because he has no pre conceived ideas or biases. He bases his interpretations on the physical evidence remaining at the site and draws his conclusions from that evidence.

Archaeological evidence paints the picture

Reading accounts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn sometimes leaves a mass of confusion to the reader. Even visitation to the site does not always enable oneself to clearly picture the events of that day. This book, which does not attempt to explain why things happened does much to set the scene and completes the picture that is painted by the numerous accounts of what happened. The reader may find this book to be dry, perhaps repetitious in some place, but in the end, will appreciate the information that is provided. Be aware that reading this book will forever cause the reader to imediately reject any printed material on The Battle of the Bighorn, that is not properly (and correctly) researched. This book is a good reference for any library.

Finally a technical work the layman can read and understand

Having read a lot of popular material re: the Battle of the Little Bighorm it was with a mix of interest and apprehension I started on thisone. And what a surprise it was ... no technical lingo, and where it was used adequate explanations were included. There is a balance between the unfurling of historical events, what was discovered about them and how it enhances our insight of what may have happened. The book narrows-down many of the options while at the same time creates newones. The reader expecting the ultimate answers will be dissappointed. Reads like a novel excepts a few parts where fire-arms and types of ammunition are discussed. Not to be missed by Custer-buffs and people interested in popular archaeology. Too bad many drawings are included of the survey-activities on the battlefield and not actual photo-evidence.