A systematic archaeological encyclopedia that catalogs prehistoric North American material culture—stone, bone, shell, clay, and copper implements, ornaments, weapons, and utensils—organized by class and type rather than locality. It combines typological descriptions with numerous photographic plates and figures, contributions from regional investigators and museums, and discussions of classification methods and material selection. An extensive bibliography and index support comparative study, and the text aims to assist identification, typology, and regional comparison of artifacts through detailed descriptions, illustrations, and museum-based evidence.