Ancient Ruins of the Southwest: An Archaeological Guide

by David Grant Noble

This third edition of David Grant Noble's indispensable guide to archaeological ruins of the American Southwest includes updated text and thirteen newly opened archaeological sites. From Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument in Texas to the Zuni-Acoma Trail in New Mexico, reader will be provided with old-time favorites and new treasures. In addition to descriptions of each site, Noble provides time-saving tips for the traveler, citing major highways, nearby towns and the facilities they offer, campgrounds, and other helpful information. Filled with photos of ruins, petroglyphs, and artifacts, as well as maps, this is a guide every traveler needs when they are exploring the Southwest.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Nonfiction, Travel, Science, Native Americans, Anthropology

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1981

About the author

David Grant Noble was raised in rural Massachusetts, attended Yale University, and began photographing seriously in 1962 while serving in army counterintelligence in Vietnam. In the 1960s, while living in New York City, he wrote and photographed for the weekly newspaper, Manhattan East, covering anti-Vietnam war rallies in New York and Washington, D.C. among other assignments. He also documented Mohawk iron workers (Mohawk Steelworkers), a project which led to photographing the Ojibwe wild rice harvest. (The Ojibwe and wild rice)

After moving to New Mexico in 1971, he was the photographer on the School for Advanced Research's archaeological excavations at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo, a 14th-century site near Santa Fe. He remained on the SAR staff until 1989. He has long studied the Southwest's deep history and archaeology and traveled widely to photograph ruins, rock art (Rock Art), and landscape. His first book was Ancient Ruins of the Southwest: an Archaeological Guide, a fourth edition of which is in process. A selection of his other books can be seen on this web site, as well as selected photographs from In the Places of the Spirits.

David has been represented by photography galleries in New York City, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Dallas, and other cities. His pictures have been widely exhibited, published in magazines and books, and won awards. They can be found in the collections of the Museum of New Mexico, Yale University's Beinecke Library, New York City Public Library, the City of Phoenix, Museum of Art, Dallas, as well as corporate and private collections.

In 2003, David received the Victor Stoner Award from the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society for his "outstanding efforts to bring historical and archaeological awareness of the Southwest to the general public." In 2011, he received the Emil Haury Award from the Western National Parks Association's for "outstanding contributions in scientific research or other activities that advance the understanding and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources of western national parks

Reviews

[Msoneworld4me · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a welcome guide for every traveler when they are exploring the southwest, so glad I found it.

In this book there is a clear descriptions of each site, time-saving tips for the traveler, nearby towns and other helpful information. Filled with photos of ruins, petroglyphs, artifacts, and maps, this easy to follow book will enhance your trip to the areas listed. Use this book to plan your visit and make the most of each trip.

Overall great guide to archaeological ruins of the American Southwest.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent guide, black and white photos and illustrations.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off by dipping into it in a rather ad hoc manner as I thought it was more of a reference book. Then decided to read it in a logical manner from start to finish and found it very readable and very interesting, all the more so if you intend visiting some or even all of the sites mentioned.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. I had checked it out from the library because it looked interesting. But, now that I have read it, I've decided that I need to own a copy of it so that I can use it over and over as I look for new ruins to explore.

The ruins discussed in this book are all well known ruins that are often protected as a National Park or Monument or Recreation Area, the rest of the ruins are almost all state parks. I am familiar with every ruin my home state, but this book introduced me to several outside of my home state that I'd never heard of.

It is always fun discovering new places that I need to visit. Now that the cost of gas has dropped again, maybe it is time to start traveling and seeing some of these ruins. :-) That is why I need my own copy.

[Becky Czlapinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this to prepare for a trip to the South West. I found way more ruins to visit than I could possible do in one trip. This is a valuable resource for anyone interested in visiting ruins in Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado or Arizona. The photos enhance the interesting and informative text. This book is definitely a keeper, and I look forward to using it on my trip.

[Hunter McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, did not read this book cover-to-cover but will have it by my side as I travel and explore these cultural treasurea of the Southwest. Did read the sections describing each of the major cultures that populated the Four Corners region.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the 2000 edition, it would make a useful guide to have in the car while traveling through the four corners area.

[Martin Herrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and helped find sites to visit that were off the beaten track.

[Leanne Glaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got so many ideas for new places to visit

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes! From Mexico to Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, Noble lists all the ruins there are to visit. He provides a brief history of each place and the people who lived there, which is fascinating enough for this to be good reading even if you aren't visiting. This book will be my guide for years to come as I search for ruins to visit. I'll probably never visit them all, but Noble can't live forever and then maybe I can take his job. Him and William Sullivan--as soon as they kick the bucket, I'll be there to be the care-free traveling guide!

[Shruts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is solely for the keenly interested in the topic of the Ancient Ones of our Southwest USA: generically the Anasazi, or as the preferred group name, Ancestral Puebloans.

The chapters are organized by group names: Chacoans, Mogollon, Hohokam, etc., and more recent cultures of the historic period, the Fremont and Puebloan.

Often overlapping in time, and in adjacent geographies, Grant Noble discusses the cultural and architectural influences on each.

I liked it a lot, as an excellent reference book. But, I admit, I am seriously hooked on the topic.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

"If you want to understand the differences between Anasazi, Mogollon, Hohokam, Sinagua and Salado, you get a very brief primer here. Otherwise the book is an interesting reference and catalog of many individual sites and regions containing sites ascribed to the aforementioned groups. I read this book early on in my studies and the distinctions were lost on me. A second read will probably warrant a higher rating. LOTS of pictures in this book which is very nice."

[Jeffrey St. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without question, the best popular guide to the Anasazi and Hohokom ruins of the desert southwest. Erudite and informative, with descriptive photos and trustworthy maps and directions. A model of its kind.

[Clayton HANSEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peublos and more pueblos - if you are in the area this is the book to have, a marvelous guide that only touches and samples the history and cultural legacies of the cultures covered. But it does 'ruins' beautifully.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a trip planned for New Mexico and as I was exercising one morning I saw this book (well, the revised and expanded version) on my bookshelf. Glad I saved it. Read through the parts on the areas we are going to see and that much more excited about it! Definitely bringing it with me.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the ruins of the Southwest plus a little bit of history; wish it had been updated more recently. A good guide and research tool if you're planning a trip to that region.

[Robert Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introductory book for people just getting acquainted with the region and cultures.

[Dreamersemporium]

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