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Roderick Sprague papers

 Collection
Identifier: MG 444

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1800-2004

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Biographical Note

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.

Extent

31 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Roderick Sprague is a renowned American historical archaeologist and a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Idaho. This collection contains his personal papers.

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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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).

Processing Information

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.

Title
Guide to Roderick Sprague papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Lee Steiner; updated by Sara Szobody in 2023.
Date
2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Funding for processing this collection was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository