Prehistory of the U.S. Southwest
Course Description
The
secluded cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde and the stunning architecture of Chaco canyon beg the questions: “Who built and lived in
these places? What were their lives
like? Why did they vanish---or did they?”
In this course we use archaeology
and ethnography to learn about the peoples of the prehistoric U.S. Southwest. Our examination begins with the initial
settlement of the region about 12,000 years ago and concludes with the Pueblo
Revolt of 1680 CE. You will learn about
the people archaeologically known as Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi), Mimbres,
Hohokam, Zuni, and others. Emphasis will
be placed on understanding how archaeologists employ the scientific method to
learn about these peoples and the strengths and weaknesses of our
approaches. We will also consider if and
how learning about the past can help us address contemporary problems. Readings
will be provided from select book chapters, scholarly publications, and popular
articles.