Chaco Canyon:Archeologists Explore the Lives of an Ancient Society

Description

Chaco Canyon| New Mexico| has been called the Stonehenge of North America. Its spectacular pueblos| or great houses| are world famous and have attracted the attention of archaeologists for more than a century. Canyon draws on the very latest research on Chaco and its environs to tell the remarkable story of the people of the canyon| from foraging bands and humble farmers to the elaborate society that flourished between the tenth and twelfth centuries A.D. Brian Fagan is a master story teller| and he weaves the latest discoveries into a compelling narrative of people living in a harsh| unpredictable environment. narrative of people in the distant past| going about their daily business| living and dying| loving| raising children| living in plenty and in hunger| pondering the cosmos| and facing the unpredictable challenges of the environment. reveals a society where agriculture and religion went hand-in-hand| where the ritual power of Chaco’s leaders drew pilgrims from distant communities bearing gifts. He describes the lavish burials in the heart of Pueblo Bonito| which offer clues about the identity of Chaco’s shadowy leaders. And he explores the enduring mystery of Chaco’s sudden decline in the face of savage drought and shows how its legacy survives into a general audience| lending a fascinating human face to one of America’s most famous archaeological sites.