1890 Map of Linguistic Stocks of American Indians
the Vintage Map Shop, Inc.
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By: John Wesley Powell
Date of Original: 1890 (published) New York
Original Size: 21 x 18 inches
This is a fine print reproduction of a fascinating map showing the linguistic distribution of Indigenous tribes and nations across North America. The map offers a unique anthropological perspective rather than conventional political or physical geography.
Created for the Eleventh Census of the United States in 1890, the map draws on information gathered by the Bureau of Ethnology and reflects data compiled under the direction of geologist and explorer John Wesley Powell. Each linguistic group is represented by a distinct color, highlighting the geographic extent—and, in some cases, surprising confinement—of Native American language families.
The map reveals striking contrasts in the spread and density of certain languages. Broad, contiguous regions are associated with expansive language families such as Algonquian, Siouan, and Athabaskan, whose speakers often led nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles, adapting to wide-ranging environments and following seasonal game. In contrast, linguistic groups along the Pacific coast and in parts of the Southeast appear more compact, reflecting cultures that were more sedentary, reliant on fishing, agriculture, or localized trade networks. These patterns reflect how natural features such asmountains, rivers, plains, and coastlines, influenced both mobility and cultural exchange.
Notably absent are the typical political boundaries and topographic markers found on standard maps. This absence centers attention on Indigenous identity and presence, affirming the deep-rooted cultural diversity that existed long before modern nation-states were imposed. By focusing on language, the map captures a critical dimension of Native life that speaks to shared heritage, oral tradition, and worldview.
Inventory #11243