Roderick Sprague papers, 1800-2004

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sprague, Roderick, 1933-
Title
Roderick Sprague papers
Dates
1800-2004 (inclusive)
Quantity
31 cubic feet
Collection Number
MG 444
Summary
Roderick Sprague is a renowned American historical archaeologist and a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Idaho. This collection contains his personal papers.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this collection was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Roderick Sprague (b. February 18, 1933) is a renowned American anthropologist, ethnohistorian and historical archeologist, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Idaho for thirty years until his retirement in 1997, and then became the University's Emeritus Director of the Laboratory of Anthropology. He has extensive experience in environmental impact research, aboriginal burial customs, and the Columbia Basin area. In addition to his work in the traditional anthropological fields, he has also attempted to apply scientific reasoning to the study of Sasquatch. Sprague received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in anthropology from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Roderick Sprague papers span the years 1800-2004 but the early documents are only photocopies of originals. Included in the papers are correspondence, photographs, slides, recordings on cassette tapes, vinyl records, blueprints, publications, data CD, abstracts, photo copies of original sources, manuscripts, articles, and reports.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with Copyright Laws (17 U.S.C.) and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The original order was retained with all of the materials from each of the accession. The accessions were arranged into a seven series hierarchy. The first series contains materials on the Coeur d'Alene Nation, the second series focuses on the Nez Perce Nation, and the third series is about the Yakima Nation. The fourth series is made up of materials pertaining to Sasquatch and the fifth series has material relating to Kennewick Man. The sixth series contains the papers of some of Sprague's archaeology and anthropology colleagues, and the seventh series is a group of oversized maps and photographs.

Custodial History

The papers of Roderick Sprague were in the possession of Roderick Sprague until the time of donation.

Acquisition Information

The papers of Roderick Sprague were donated to the University of Idaho Library by Roderick Sprague in March 1997 (MA 1997-12), May 1997 (MA 1997-16), October 1997 (MA 1997-31), April 2003 (MA 2003-12), October 2003 (MA 2003-23), March 2005 (MA 2005-07), July 2007 (MA 2007-19), and January 2008 (MA 2008-07). Photographic slides from were transfered to Special Collections and Archives in February 2023 (MA 2023-04).

Processing Note

This collection was processed using the Basic processing method. This collection was reduced by 7 cubic feet because many of the boxes were only partially full so by consolidating the material from the various accessions was able to reduce the number of boxes. No materials were discarded.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I: Coeur D'Alene Nation, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
2
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
3
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
4
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts (D-3)
undated
5
Research Files - Reports of Commission on Indian Affairs (D-3 & D-4)
undated
6
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts (D-4)
undated
7
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts (D-4 & D-5)
undated
8
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts (D-6)
undated
9
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts (D-6 & D-7)
undated
10
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
11
Coeur d'Alene Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
12
Natural Resources Damage Assessment Project Files
undated
13
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Reports
undated
14
Testimony - Notes - Drafts - Reports - Analysis
undated
15
Depositions - Notes - Drafts - Reports
undated
16
Research Projects Presented in Court Cases
undated
17
Exhibit Materials
undated

Series II: Nez Perce Nation, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
18
Nez Perce Tribal Water Rights - Reports - Project Drafts
undated
19
Nez Perce Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
20
Nez Perce Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
21
Nez Perce Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated
22
Nez Perce Tribal Research Files - Abstracts
undated

Series III: Yakima Nation, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
23
Yakima Tribal Testimony Drafts
undated
24
Yakima Tribal Testimony Drafts
undated
25
Yakima Tribal Testimony Drafts - Research Abstracts
circa 1850s-1880s
26
Yakima Tribal Research Abstracts
circa 1880s - 1909
27
Yakima Tribal Research Abstracts
circa 1910s - 1980s

Series IV: Sasquatch, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
28
Sasquatch Articles - Correspondence - Research Materials - Publications
undated
29
Sasquatch Research Files - Publications
undated

Series V: Kennewick Man, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
30
Kennewick Man Files - Miscellaneous - Archeology Publications
undated

Series VI: Colleagues' Papers, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
31
Ronald C. Corbyn Papers
undated
32
Robert L. Stephenson's Papers and Photos - Alfred Bowers Papers
undated
33
Alfred Bowers Papers
undated

Series VII: Oversized Maps and Photographs, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
34
Maps & photos
undated

Series VIII. Photographic SlidesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
35
Earls (?) Dig
Dig site, archaeologists and other workers, and petroglyphs.
1961
35
Dallas, TX
Joseph Wylie Fincher Memorial Building in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University campus, archaeologists, and dig site.
1966-1967
35
Grasshopper Version (?); Paige Dig
Glen Canyon Bridge, Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River, archeaologists, a dig site, and other landscapes.
1966
35
Four Corners; Kersey; Shoshone Basin; Grasshopper
Four Corners site, Kersey, Shoshone Basin, and the Grasshopper site.
1968
35
Cave Paintings; Artifacts; Simons Site
1966-1967
35
Salmon and East Fork
1961-1963
35
Twin Falls
undated
35
Rock Trips
undated
35
Grasshopper site; Tindale; François Bordes
1967
35
Marmes Rock-shelter; Glass Butte; Shadow of Man
1969
35
Redfish Lake, Stanley, ID; Sawtooth Wilderness Area
1960-1963
35
Virginia City, Montana; Silver City, Idaho
undated
35
Lewiston and Sun Valley
1962-1963; 1965
35
Flathead and Waterton
undated
35
Yellowstone
1967

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Archaeology
  • Coeur d'Alene Indians
  • Nez Percé Indians
  • Schitsu'umsh
  • Yakama Indians

Geographical Names

  • Nimiipuu