The definitive guide to archaeoastronomy in the American Southwest.
Since the last edition of this classic guide in 1993, our knowledge of the Ancestral Pueblo people has grown immensely. Predictions made in the last edition have been verified by the annual returns of the solstice sun and, after 18.6 years, the return of the 'major standstill' moon.
What's New in this Edition?
New archaeological work has been published on Chimney Rock, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Yellow Jacket, and Hovenweep, revealing even more clearly how culture and astronomy were integrated. Astronomy can now be understood as an essential aspect of the whole culture of the Ancestral Pueblo.
A Field Guide for Travelers
The approach of this book is a synthesis of astronomy, people, and culture. After an introduction to basic astronomy and archaeology, the book identifies specific places where you can view evidence for astronomical practices, as well as observe essentially the same sunrises that were observed by the Ancestral Pueblo people centuries ago.
Why this is a unique find:
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Site-Specific: Acts as a travel guide for anyone visiting the National Parks of the Southwest.
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Scientific Depth: Explains complex phenomena like the "Lunar Standstill" in relation to ancient architecture.
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Cultural Context: Connects the movement of the stars to the daily lives and rituals of ancient civilizations.
🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken:
"We often think of high-tech observatories when we talk about astronomy, but the first observatories were stone circles and canyon walls. If you are planning a road trip to Arizona or New Mexico, take this book with you. Standing in Chaco Canyon watching the sun hit the 'Sun Dagger' marker is a spiritual experience for any astronomer."
