Wright Amos J., Jr. Historic Indian Towns in Alabama, 1540-1838

University of Alabama Press, 2003. — 239 p.Identifies town site locations and clarifies entries from the earliest documents and maps of explorers in Alabama.This encyclopedic work is a listing of 398 ancient towns recorded within the present boundaries of the state of Alabama, containing basic information on each village's ethnic affiliation, time period, geographic location, descriptions, and (if any) movements. While publications dating back to 1901 have attempted to compile such a listing, none until now has so exhaustively harvested the 214 historic maps drawn between 1544, when Hernando de Soto's entourage first came through the southeastern territory, and 1846, when Indian removal to the Oklahoma Territory was complete. Wright combines the map data with a keen awareness of both previously published information and archival sources, such as colonial town lists, census information, and travel narratives.The towns are listed alphabetically, and the text of each entry develops chronologically. While only a few of these towns have been accurately located by archaeologists, this volume provides a wealth of information for the future study of cultural geography, southeastern archaeology, and ethnohistory. It will be an enduring reference source for many years to come.Amos J. Wright Jr. has been a member of the Alabama Historical Society (winning the Award of Merit and the Distinguished Service Award), the Alabama Archaeological Society (winning the Outstanding Member Award, and holding the offices of President, Chairman of the Archives Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors), and the Alabama DeSoto Commission (1985-1990). He has published articles in numerous journals, including the Journal of Alabama Archaeology and the Tennessee Archaeologist. Mr. Wright passed away in 2003.