Thus, the round of daily activities of an important group of 

 Indians who lived in southern Ohio about 700 years ago has been 

 carefully reconstructed from evidence secured by digging the Hope- 

 well burial mounds, and presented in carefully planned exhibits 

 which are attractive in layout and color. Labeling has been reduced 

 to a minimum and no scientific terms have been used. 



Another exhibit, called "The Death Cult," is unique and illus- 

 trates a curious period of emotionalism in the life of the American 

 Indian. This exhibit shows some of the symbols and objects associ- 



Fig. 9. The Death Cult, represented here by cere- 

 monial objects and sacred art, was a religious revival 

 that spread rapidly among the various groups of 

 Indians in the southeastern United States. This was 

 a time of famine, epidemic diseases, and an increased 

 death rate; villages were breaking up and civilizations 

 cracking. With death and destruction close at hand, 



OT 



THE DEAT 



REIICIOUS : 

 the Indians turned to religion for help. jj^E OF CHA 



Indian America (Hall B) 



ated with what was really a religious revival. This religious outburst, 

 which lasted from about a.d. 1550 to 1650, centered in the south- 

 eastern United States, and manifestations of it were present in large 

 portions of the eastern United States (see Fig. 9). 



One important fact about the Death Cult should be noted: its 

 dominating idea and all the objects and symbols associated with it 

 were independent of peoples, areas, and civilizations. In other words, 

 the revival of interest in religion and possibly in life after death was 

 widespread and was not limited by language, civilization, or tribe. 



Thus, the Death Cult exhibit shows some of the symbols, art, 

 and sacred objects used during this time of renewed interest in 

 religion. The general psychological symptoms typical of this period 

 are characteristic of a state of mind sometimes called dysphoria; 



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I 



