Description
Book SynopsisArchaeologists have long studied the American Southwest, but as historian Robert McPherson shows in
Viewing the Ancestors, their findings may not tell the whole story. McPherson maintains that combining archaeology with knowledge derived from the oral traditions of the Navajo, Ute, Paiute, and Hopi peoples yields a more complete history.
Trade ReviewIn
Viewing the Ancestors, Robert McPherson takes on a formidable assignment: ‘To give the Navajo and other Native American tribes' oral traditions a new look,' as he phrases it. McPherson travels to Anaasází country and re-examines Navajo and Hopi teachings concerning this locale. He gives his subject the kind of attention and respect it deserves, ultimately revealing the power of place and the significance of stories."" - Peter Iverson, author of
Diné: A History of the Navajos ""
Viewing the Ancestors makes an impassioned plea for recognizing oral traditions as vital sources of historical insights, alongside evidence from archaeology, linguistics, and written documents. This is a fascinating, must-read book for scholars and those interested in Native American cultural history in the American Southwest."" - William D. Lipe, coauthor of
The Architecture of Social Integration in Prehistoric Pueblos
