AnasaziAdventure Guide

At many sites described in The Anasazi Guide, park officials gave me unprecedented access to libraries, unpublished materials, and artifacts. Park archaeologists answered my questions with patience, and I was fortunate to meet illustrious visitors whose work is at the forefront of contemporary research. Jim Judge and Tom Windes of the Chaco Project, and Stephen Plog who is directing the Chaco Digital Initiative took the time to compare notes and suggest new directions. Christy Turner whose book, Man Corn, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, shared the outlines of a work in progress tentatively titled Man Corn 2.

Elsewhere, Park Archaeologists, Directors, and Interpreters volunteered their time to review my writings, monitor my work in laboratories and libraries, and suggest additional themes and opportunities.

Throughout the Southwest, friends from the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, and Pueblos shared their thoughts with me and made it possible for me to visit sites seldom seen by outsiders

The Anasazi Guide
Copies are available from Lulu, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, their European subsidiaries, and selected book stores.	The Anasazi Guide is designed to help you understand the Anasazi, visit their ancestral homes, meet their descendants, and make the most of your time in the four-corners area. The first eight chapters are filled with concise, up-to-date information that dispels the myth of the Anasazi’s “disappearance.” Drawing from contemporary research as well as Native American accounts, you will learn: Who the Anasazi were, How they lived, Why they built giant pueblos and spectacular cliff dwellings, What happened to their society, and Where the survivors went. The next seven chapters outline a “golden circle” tour visiting Chaco Canyon, Salmon Ruin, Aztec Ruins, Mesa Verde, Canyons of the Ancients, and Canyon de Chelly. These chapters provide: Comprehensive directions for reaching each site along with not-to-be-missed highlights as well as suggestions for lodging, camping, and other services, Sweeping descriptions of the stunning landscapes, Concise, informative summaries of the Anasazi occupations, Images, diagrams, and line drawings to help you appreciate the Anasazi’s accomplishments, Revealing summaries of the most important archaeological work at each site, and Insider tips for making the most of your visit, Petroglyph National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, Hovenweep National Monument, Navajo National Monument, Homol’ovi Ruins State Park, and Petrified Forest National Park are described in Chapter 16 while appendices provide concise guides for dating pottery fragments and stone points.
Even after 25 years of study and research, writing The Anasazi Guide took the better part of two years. I spent much of the time volunteering at National Parks and Monuments including Pipe Springs, Aztec Ruins, and Chaco Culture National Historic Park where a visitor captured this image of me conducting a tour. Until I retired in 2005, I earned my living as a professor, author, and consultant. All that is summarized in my resume. and you can look at the principal sources on which I've relied.
At many sites described in The Anasazi Guide, park officials gave me unprecedented access to libraries, unpublished materials, and artifacts. Park archaeologists answered my questions with patience, and I was fortunate to meet illustrious visitors whose work is at the forefront of contemporary research. Jim Judge and Tom Windes of the Chaco Project, and Stephen Plog who is directing the Chaco Digital Initiative took the time to compare notes and suggest new directions. Christy Turner whose book, Man Corn, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, shared the outlines of a work in progress tentatively titled Man Corn 2. Elsewhere, Park Archaeologists, Directors, and Interpreters volunteered their time to review my writings, monitor my work in laboratories and libraries, and suggest additional themes and opportunities. Throughout the Southwest, friends from the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, and Pueblos shared their thoughts with me and made it possible for me to visit sites seldom seen by outsiders Thank you all! The Anasazi Guide is as much your work as mine.