American Archeology: Chaco and Cahokia

My pre-Columbian archeological interest developed first on a 1991 driving trip to the Southwestern U.S., and especially with visits (then and since) to places like Chaco Canyon (now a national historical park) and related Anasazi sites. More recently (2002), we added an interest in the Cahokia mound builders or Mississippian peoples. I have absolutely no training in this subject matter, but have collected books and read avidly, especially about the architecture of both regions. The amazingly intricate stonework evident in this photo, taken at Kin Kletso, one of the impressive ruins in Chaco Canyon, is the hallmark of the long-vanished Anasazi masons who pieced these buildings together without use of mortar. Their engineering design and quality of construction was top notch---these ruins are nearly a thousand years old. Recent research has suggested astronomical alignments of many of the major sites which were also connected by an impressive and partially ceremonial "roadway" system.

Websites

Chaco Culture National Historical Park There are many sites about this fascinating northwestern New Mexico location, but here's the official Park Service information. While Chaco is not easy to get to (the approach road is merely dirt), the results are well worth it---it's one of the most evocative pre-Columbian sites in North America.

The Anasazi Theme Page Assembled by a local school, this is an intelligent collection of annotated links about the people who developed Chaco and many related sites. The whole Chaco region is riddled with archeological sites, many of which have never been investigated, some of them seemingly connected by a system of ceremonial or trade route roadways.

Sipapu: The Anasazi Emergence into the Cyber World A fascinating site with 3-D depictions of what various Chaco and other communities may have looked like at their height. This also includes research material for those who really want to get into the subject matter.

An Evaluation of Chaco Anasazi Roadways A scholarly paper with useful diagrams suggesting some of the different reasons the Chaco system roadways might have been built.

Evaluating Models of Chaco: A Virtual Conference Some insightful papers (and discussion about them) organized by, among others, Stephen Lekson and others at the University of Colorado.

Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site This is another pre-Columbian site, just outside of St. Louis, in the "American Bottom" area of southwestern Illinois. This particular website is sponsored by a local university with interesting research information.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site This is the official site for Cahokia and includes information on the award-winning museum, archeology, visiting the site, an interpretive tour, and links to related material.

Suggested Books

Chappell, Sally A. Kitt. Cahokia: Mirror of the Cosmos. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002. Presuming no prior knowledge, this is a well-written popular account of the Illinois site and how we've learned what developed there.

Cordell, Linda. Archeology of the Southwest. San Diego: Academic Press, 1997 (2nd ed.). Probably the closest thing to a standard and definitive to the history and archeological research of the American southwest, including, but not limited to, the Anasazi and Chaco region.

Fagan, Brian. Chaco Canyon: Archeologists Explore the Lives of an Ancient Society.. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. An eminent archeologist surveys what has been learned in the past few decades--this is a very useful synthesis of a vast number of studies. This is a good starting point for the region's pre-Columbian history.

Fowler, Melvin. The Cahokia Atlas: A Historical Atlas of Cahokhia Archaeology. Springfield: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, "Studies in Illinois Archaeology No. 6," 1989. Fascinating combination of history and cartography by a researcher who has spent decades researching Cahokia's remains and development.

Frazier, Kendrick. People of Chaco: A Canyon and Its Culture. New York: Norton. 1999 (rev. ed.). Perhaps the best place to start on a study of this region (as it presumes no background), this is an excellent introductory survey of what is known and how we know it.

Lekson, Stephen H. Great Pueblo Architecture of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1984. The best single survey of the wonderful buildings and communities to be found in this now remote New Mexico valley, most dating from the period 900-1200 AD. Excellent photos, diagrams, and maps.

(Ibid.) The Chaco Meridian: Centers of Political Power in the Ancient Southwest. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press, 1999. Fascinating hypothesis that Chaco was but the first (of three) centers of power that shifted with climate and other changes. This is controversial stuff and not all authorities buy onto Lekson's views.

(Ibid.) The Archeology of Chaco Canyon: An Eleventh-Century Pueblo Regional Center. Santa Fe, NM: School of American Research Press, 2006. Definitive current statement of what is known, and yet to be learned, after decades of research. A stellar team of archologists sums up "The Chaco Project" period of intensive analysis. This is actually one of two volumes--see Mathien, below, for the other.

Lister, Robert H., and Florence C. Lister. Chaco Canyon: Archaeology and Archaeologists. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1981. The narrative that helped to hook me on this fascinating place---very well written assessment of what's been learned over the years, written by authorities on the site. Now dated in places, given how much has been learned since, this remains hugely readable.

(Ibid). Those Who Came Before: Southwestern Archeology in the National Park System. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1993 (2nd ed.). Well-illustrated survey of all the NPS pre-Columbian sites in the Southwest, and how archeological research has improved our knowledge base.

Mathien, Frances Joan. Cultures and Ecology of Chaco Canyon and the San Juan Basin. Santa Fe, NM: National Park Service (Publications in Archeology 18H), 2005. The second volume of Chaco Project synthesis (see the third Lekson title above for the other), this offers one experienced author's survey of all the Chaco Project studies over nearly two decades of effort.

Morgan, William N. Ancient Architecture of the Southwest. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1994. An architect himself, the author offers maps and clever 3-D layout diagrams of 132 carefully researched prehistoric community sites thoughout in the southwest.

Ortiz, Alfonso, ed. Handbook of North American Indians: Southwest (Volume 9). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1979. Part of an extensive series, this offers a host of authorities on the different tribes, pueblos and peoples of the region, with solid research references, diagrams, and photos.

Rohn, Arthur H., and William M. Ferguson. Puebloan Ruins of the Southwest. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2006. Updates the authors' earlier book and provides best photos (most in color) and diagrams of the key sites.

Plog, Stephen. Ancient Peoples of the the American Southwest. London: Thames & Hudson, 1997. An excellent modern introduction which makes good use of color photography, clear diagrams, and a solid text.

Vivian, R. Gwinn, and Bruce Hilpert. The Chaco Handbook: An Encyclopedic Guide. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2002. Great reference material (and illustrations) in an easily-used format.

Young, Biloine Whiting and Melvin L. Fowler. Cahokia: The Great Native American Metropolis. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2000. Solid account of archeological research at the site.