In Search of the Old Ones Audiobook By David Roberts cover art

In Search of the Old Ones

Exploring the Anasazi World of the Southwest

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In Search of the Old Ones

By: David Roberts
Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
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About this listen

An exuberant, hands-on fly-on-the-wall account that combines the thrill of canyoneering and rock climbing with the intellectual sleuthing of archaeology to explore the Anasazi.

David Roberts describes the culture of the Anasazi - the name means "enemy ancestors" in Navajo - who once inhabited the Colorado Plateau and whose modern descendants are the Hopi Indians of Arizona. Archaeologists, Roberts writes, have been puzzling over the Anasazi for more than a century, trying to determine the environmental and cultural stresses that caused their society to collapse 700 years ago. He guides us through controversies in the historical record, among them the haunting question of whether the Anasazi committed acts of cannibalism.

Roberts's book is full of up-to-date thinking on the culture of the ancient people who lived in the harsh desert country of the Southwest.

©1996 David Roberts (P)2017 Tantor
Americas Anthropology Archaeology Civilization Indigenous Peoples Indigenous Studies Social Sciences Specific Demographics United States World Archeology History
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Critic reviews

"[Roberts's] awe at the region's beauty, with its sheer cliffs, canyons and mesas, and at the testaments to an unknown culture will be contagious for readers." ( Publishers Weekly)
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Narrator did not know how to pronounce many names of places and plants common in the Southwest.

well written account of Anasazi history

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As a lover of the southwest and Anasazi, this is a favorite of mine. It really captures the thrill of exploring canyon country in search of the Anasazi.

Anasazi and Wilderness Exploration must read

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Must read for anyone interested in SW Indian history. Fabulous book. Exciting to read. Author makes it feel like you are there with him hiking hidden canyons in the 4-Corners region. Poor narrator who mis-pronounced all unfamiliar words, slaughtering words like canyon, shards (as in pot shards), burial, contoversy, Mesa (as in Mesa Verde), Chaco.

Excellent, compelling history of Anazazi

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Great read, and full of some interesting information! Enjoyed reading more about some of the ruins and those who spent time excavating in the areas.

Midwest Native American History

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the story was interesting, the author brings up some interesting thworeticals about the nature of archaeology. I dont think I would like the author very much if we met in real life but still food for thought. the reader mispronounced provenance

interesting story, gave me some theoretical stuff to think about the nature of archaeology

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The prose may be dry in places, (pun unintended) but the authors heart seems to be in the Colorado canyon country, otherwise known as Abbey’s Land. I enjoyed the book.

The outdoor museum…

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the first few hours are a bit tough to get through as he explains the history of archaeology in the southwest and of ancestral puebloan sites. But it ties together very nicely as the rest of the book focuses on HIS experiences in the field. very thoughtful, fun listen. well worth the time 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Gr8 4 history of Archaeology & ancestral puebloans

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really enjoyed the book and glad the author did not give too many specifics. thanks for the consideration!

great book

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Great book for those who love ancient Indian History. Easy to listen to, kept my attention!

History Buff

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loved it, but then I love most southwestern arvheology related to Anasazi or Basketmaker cultures.

good narrative of southwestern US archeological sites.

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