Iroquoia: The Development of a Native World recounts of the cultural history of the Five Nations Iroquois from an archaeological perspective. William Engelbrecht, an anthropology professor at Buffalo State College, synthesizes years of archaeological research on the Five Nations Iroquois (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) into a highly readable account of the origin, development, and changing lifestyle prior to European contact of the people known as the People of the Longhouse. The author begins with a look at the chronological development of the group known now as Iroquois. He develops the idea that the roots of the Iroquois begin with hunting, gathering, and fishing and that these are carried over to the time when agriculture reaches the Northeast. War is a theme that extends over time for the Iroquois, although the style of warfare as well as the causes changes. The spiritual needs of the individual Iroquois are reviewed but here the author is limited by his sources. Missionary records for the Huron remain the basic source and as the author cautions these must be used with care. The lifestyle of precontact Iroquois village and family life are explained, and the developments of the individual nations are detailed. The final chapters deal sparingly with the formation of the Iroquois League, the contact period, and the present lifestyle of American Iroquois reservations. The author briefly explains the controversies surrounding the archaeological dependence on the desecration of Iroquois ancient burial sites. Numerous illustrations and photographs of mostly pottery shards and pipes are used effectively. There are several maps, an index, and extensive bibliography. While the sources are limited to the standard anthropological and archaeological references, the author presents a readable account of the state of contemporary academic research as it relates to the Five Nations Iroquois/Haudenosaunee. A hardcover edition is available.