Troweling Through Time: The First Century of Mesa Verdean Archaeology

by Florence C. Lister

Overview

Florence Lister, one of archaeology's eminent authorities, presents the long and colorful history of exploration in the Mesa Verde area of the American Southwest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826335029
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	11/01/2004
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Florence C. Lister is a distinguished archaeologist and historian of archaeology who lives in Mancos, Colorado.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
	A Pictorial Panorama of the First Century of Mesa Verdean Archaeology	xiii
Chapter 1	Beginnings Beyond Compare	1
Chapter 2	The Formative Years	37
Chapter 3	Meanwhile, Back on the Mesa	95
Chapter 4	Before Rising Waters	127
	Glen Canyon and Lake Powell	127
	San Juan River and Navajo Reservoir	139
Chapter 5	A Time of Transitions	151
	Mancos Canyon, Ute Domain	153
	Back to Chimney Rock	154
	Lowry Ruin, Again	158
	Escalante, the House on the Hill	158
	Salmon Ruin, Port of Entry	160
	Reprise of Mesa Verde	165
	Towers, Sunrise, and Sunset at Hovenweep	170
	Cedar Mesa Revisited	175
	Pots in Trenches	178
	Dolores River and McPhee Reservoir	181
	Irrigated Antiquities	197
	Alpine Basketmakers	207
	Confrontation, Accommodation, Education	209
	Crow Canyon Archaeological Center	212
Chapter 6	Vistas of Mesa Verdean Past	225
	Paleoindian	225
	Archaic	226
	Basketmaker II	229
	Basketmaker III	233
	Pueblo I	235
	Pueblo II	238
	Pueblo III	243
	Then, the Nomads	247
	Epilogue	249
	Notes	251
	References Cited	259
Appendix A	Excerpt from Richard Wetherill Diary	275
Appendix B	Guide to Acronyms	277
	Index	279

Editorial Reviews

"Stamina, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity. Those are Florence Lister's requirements for a successful archaeologist—standards she has herself met time and again for more than sixty years. Ý"Troweling Through Time"¨ is a valuable non-technical account of the history of archaeology."

"Troweling Through Time" takes the armchair reader on a most enjoyable trip through the "first century of Mesa Verdean archaeology. . . Florence should be saluted for preserving history and making it come alive."

"Ý"Troweling Through Time"¨ provides a masterful story about a fascinating region told with aplomb and style by Florence Lister."

"Archaeology can be a dry subject, but not when the writer is Florence C. Lister. . . The author provides a "Pictoral Panorama" of 72 black-and-white photos of the archaeologists and Mesa Vede ruins from 1874 to 2002, which, along with the lively text, make this book an interesting and valuable contribution to both archaeologists and general readers."

"Distinguished archaeologist and historian of archaeology Florence Lister has produced a delightful history of this era that is full of anecdotes and humor. . . Lister weaves a tale of inquiry and adventure in one of the world's most dramatic and interesting archaeological regions."

"For anyone interested in Southwestern archaeology, "Trowelling Through Time" is a treasure trove of information."

"Lister is an archaeologist, an expert on ceramics and a historian of archaeology who writes with verve, sophistication, grace ans a wry sense of humor. . . Florence Lister paints the prehistoric ast with a firm, authoritative brush. "Troweling Through Time" represents public archaeology at its best."

"Lister knows the history of which she writes - the story of those who explore the stories of the area's ancient residents. It shows in "Troweling Through Time." The book is certainly first and foremost a historical text - detailed, chronological, footnoted, and indexed. But in execution, it is a story, beautifully and lovingly told."

"One of the more enjoyable aspects of this book is Lister's easy-going storytelling style, peppered with occasional bursts of wry or outright humor, which makes this book a fun and informative read."

"The book is a fun read and especially helpful to those who may be struggling with the conceptual difference between Basketmaker II and Pueblo II."

"Virtually all of the famous Southwestern archaeologists worked at one time or another at Mesa Verde. The book details the time when women gained acceptance into the profession. . . The book will be of interest to professional and amatuer archaeologists, tourists and historians."

From the Publisher