In Search of the Old Ones: Exploring the Anasazi World of the Southwest
David Roberts
1996 - Touchstone Books
ISBN 0-684-83212-7
Based on the author's personal explorations in the Four Corners region, this book also provides a great introduction to the archaeology of that area. I enjoyed this book not only for its informational content, but also for the author’s fascinating descriptions of his backcountry travels. The author's knowledge, appreciation, and respect for this area is admirable.
Prehistoric Astronomy in the Southwest
J. McKim Malville & Claudia Putnam
1993 - Johnson Printing Company
ISBN 1-55566-116-5
J. McKim Malville is a professor of astronomy at the University of Colorado and Claudia Putnam is a former student of his with a particular interest in the southwest. Together they explore Chaco Canyon (New Mexico), Chimney Rock (Colorado), Hovenweep (Utah), Mesa Verde (Colorado), and Yellow Jacket (Colorado). The authors describe astronomical alignments of many well know sites at Hovenweep and Chaco Canyon, and then present fascinating theories relating to Chimney Rock, Yellow Jacket and Mesa Verde. With an introduction to the basics of astronomy, this book serves as a great introduction to the field of archaeoastronomy.
Prehistoric Indians: Their Cultures, Ruins, Artifacts and Rock Art
F.A. Barnes & Michaelene Pendleton
1979 Wasatch Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 0-915272-24-5
This book provides a summary of the prehistoric cultures of the Four Corners region. In addition to providing a description of the Anasazi and Fremont cultures and their subdivisions, it includes a comprehensive list of ruin sites, rock art sites, and museums displaying prehistoric artifacts from the region.
Roads to Center Place: A Cultural Atlas of Chaco Canyon and the Anasazi
Kathryn Gabriel
1991 - Johnson Publishing Company
ISBN 1-55566-079-7
Throughout the Four Corners region the Anasazi built an elaborate system of "roadways". The remarkable thing is that many of these carefully engineered roads connect to Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico. The author provides insight into the Anasazi culture, and proposes fascinating theories relating to the possible purpose of the roads.
A View from Black Mesa: The Changing Face of Archaeology
George J. Gumerman
1984 - The University of Arizona Press
ISBN 0-8165-1340-6
This book provides a fascinating look into the world of the Anasazi. The author spent time working with the "Black Mesa Archeological Project", which started in 1968. The Peabody Coal Company has done some limited coal mining on the northern portion of Black Mesa. While any sort of mining is a sad thing in the Colorado Plateau, it did have one benefit. Before any mining was done, the Archeological Project examined and excavated any ruins that were found. Basically, this funded a major research project that otherwise would not have been possible. It has yielded a huge collection of information regarding the Anasazi culture. I found this book to be fascinating.
