Mound Builders & Cliff Dwellers

by Dale Brown (Editor), Time-Life Books

Readers assume the role of archaeologists, uncovering secrets of ancient civilizations. Stunning photographs and illustrations, plus detailed cutaways, maps and diagrams.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, American, Reference

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Dale^^Brown Time-Life editor/author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry in the "Lost Civilizations" series, with another journey through archeological history. This volume focuses on two separate Native American cultural zones: the various "Mound Building" societies of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, and the Anasazi and related cultures of the south west. Overall, this is a good overview of what was known at the time about these peoples, and how the first White Americans found and interpreted the sites, slowly realizing their true origin and importance. It is also a story of profit-minded looters and then science-minded archeologists (many no better than looters themselves). Fortunately over time, more sites have been examined respectfully and preserved. The authors try to reconstruct from the numerous artifacts the lives lived by the inhabitants of these town and city-sized communities and explore possible reasons for their emergence and eventual decline. The photography as always is fantastic and perhaps the best part of the book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the pictures interesting and the descriptions of the ancient people intriguing.

[Henry Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

good historical review of ancient native American civilization before

[Marcos “MSMDragon” · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m probably biased but I find the history of the Southwest incredibly fascinating. I always love learning about the tribes and pueblos in the region, particularly those in New Mexico.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved and obsessed over the Inca, the Aztecs, and the Mayans for years. My greatest interest, however, are the Anasazi. The mound builder section of this book is fantastic and informative, but the section on the cliff dwellings and the Anasazi is amazing. These mysterious people seem to have vanished from their homes overnight. There are images of pots left sitting as if the owner just stepped away...700 years ago. The pots are still right where they were left. One of my favorite images is of the cliff dwelling of Betatakin on page 136. The large 135 room site in Arizona was built, enlarged, and abandoned within 2 generations. I think anyone who has visited Mesa Verde or ever wanted to will enjoy this book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

not as in depth as i would have liked, but still a good overall read

[Jeffrey]

Picture book