1955 McQuown Map of North American Indian Languages

A fascinating 1955 map of North America loosely illustrating the locations of more than 112 American Indian groups. The map is based upon the studies of the renowned anthropologist and ethnologist George Peter 'Pete' Murdock (1897 - 1985). The map has here been updated and revised with the studies of the linguist George L. Trager (1906 - 1992), and new information by University of Chicago anthropologist Norman A. McQuown (1914 - 2005).

Interpreting the Data

The cartographic presentation of tribal data reveals much about the tribes in question and the history of indigenous North America. Note for example the density and variety of tribes along the west coast, compared to the larger tribal nations occupying the center of the continent and the East Coast. Some have argued convincingly that this difference is the result of a later point of contact with Europeans for the West Coast. On the East Coast, early contact and epidemic smallpox outbreaks depopulated indigenous American nations, forcing them to congregate into ever larger coalitions - as here.

Publication History and Census

This map was separately issued in 1955. According to the legend, it is based upon a 1937 base map by George P. Murdock, but we have found no trace of this map. It was further supplemented by linguistic data from George L. Trager's Map of North American Indian Languages. There is doubtless an unattributed nod to John Wesley Powell's (1834 - 1902) 19th century ethnographic reports. It was updated again, with the most up to date information, by Norman A McQuown. It appears to have been designed to receive color coding - so the map may never have been completed. We know of no other examples.