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Religion was as central in the day-to-day lives of prehistoric
southwestern people, just as it is in the lives of their
descendants today. Examining the role of religion can help to
explain architecture, pottery, agriculture, even commerce. But
archaeologists have only recently developed the theoretical and
methodological tools with which to study this topic. Religion in
the Prehispanic Southwest marks the first book-length study of
prehistoric religion in the region. Drawing on a rich array of
empirical approaches, the contributors show the importance of
understanding beliefs and ritual for a range of time periods and
southwestern societies. For professional and avocational
archaeologists, for religion scholars and students, Religion in the
Prehispanic Southwest represents an important contribution.
Religion was as central in the day-to-day lives of prehistoric
southwestern people, just as it is in the lives of their
descendants today. Examining the role of religion can help to
explain architecture, pottery, agriculture, even commerce. But
archaeologists have only recently developed the theoretical and
methodological tools with which to study this topic. Religion in
the Prehispanic Southwest marks the first book-length study of
prehistoric religion in the region. Drawing on a rich array of
empirical approaches, the contributors show the importance of
understanding beliefs and ritual for a range of time periods and
southwestern societies. For professional and avocational
archaeologists, for religion scholars and students, Religion in the
Prehispanic Southwest represents an important contribution.
Beginning in the tenth century, Chaco Canyon emerged as an
important center whose influence shaped subsequent cultural
developments throughout the Four Corners area of the American
Southwest. Archaeologists investigating the prehistory of Chaco
Canyon have long been impressed by its massive architecture,
evidence of widespread trading activities, and ancient roadways
that extended across the region. Research on Chaco Canyon today is
focused on what the remains indicate about the social, political,
and ideological organization of the Chacoan people. Communities
with great houses located some distance away are of particular
interest, because determining how and why peripheral areas became
associated with the central canyon provides insight into the
evolution of the Chacoan tradition. This volume brings together
twelve chapters by archaeologists who suggest that the relationship
between Chaco Canyon and outlying communities was not only complex
but highly variable. Their new research reveals that the most
distant groups may have simply appropriated Chacoan symbolism for
influencing local social and political relationships, whereas many
of the nearest communities appear to have interacted closely with
the central canyon--perhaps even living there on a seasonal basis.
The multifaceted approach taken by these authors provides different
and refreshing perspectives on Chaco. Their contributions offer new
insight into what a Chacoan community is and shed light on the
nature of interactions among prehistoric communities.
Ancient Puebloan Southwest traces the evolution of Puebloan society
in the American Southwest from the emergence of the Chaco and
Mimbres traditions in the AD 1000s through the early decades of
contact with the Spanish in the sixteenth century. The 2004 book
focuses on the social and political changes that shaped Puebloan
people over the centuries, emphasizing how factors internal to
society impacted on cultural evolution, even in the face of the
challenging environment that characterizes the American Southwest.
The underlying argument is that while the physical environment both
provides opportunities and sets limitations to social and political
change, even more important evolutionary forces are the tensions
between co-operation and competition for status and leadership.
Although relying primarily on archaeological data, the book also
includes oral histories, historical accounts, and ethnographic
records as it introduces readers to the deep history of the
Puebloan Southwest.
Ancient Puebloan Southwest traces the evolution of Puebloan society
in the American Southwest from the emergence of the Chaco and
Mimbres traditions in the AD 1000s through the early decades of
contact with the Spanish in the sixteenth century. The 2004 book
focuses on the social and political changes that shaped Puebloan
people over the centuries, emphasizing how factors internal to
society impacted on cultural evolution, even in the face of the
challenging environment that characterizes the American Southwest.
The underlying argument is that while the physical environment both
provides opportunities and sets limitations to social and political
change, even more important evolutionary forces are the tensions
between co-operation and competition for status and leadership.
Although relying primarily on archaeological data, the book also
includes oral histories, historical accounts, and ethnographic
records as it introduces readers to the deep history of the
Puebloan Southwest.
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