American Indian Cultural and Language Groups and Pre-Historic Ruins

“The American Indian is the Cornerstone of Our Heritage…”

This charming, somewhat rustic, map of the United States is a visual celebration of the nation’s indigenous culture. A series of numbers scattered throughout relate to the eight primary language groups identified by the author. Illustrated vignettes avoid stereotypical depictions and present individual figures with grace and accuracy. Prehistoric ruins, ceremonial dances, and other bits of information are provided in the negative space, surrounded by a border of Native American symbols and motifs.

The map was drawn by Garner Parker Dicus of Puente, California and copyrighted in 1953. Text in the lower left indicates this is the 4th edition. Dicus also issued a similar ‘American Indians’ map (referenced below the title cartouche) that featured alternate illustrations and named dozens of tribes across the country.

Source: David Rumsey Map Collection