This is the story of the archaeological study of Chaco Canyon, from in 1849 to the 1999. The unique architecture and village layout of Chaco Canyon flourished from the 10th to 12th centuries, approximately. Although archaeologists initially assumed the the style was limited to Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, it was eventually determined to extend over a much larger region that includes modern day Arizona, Utah, Colorado as well as New Mexico. In spite of 150 years of studies, archaeologists still do not have a good understanding of what community life was like, nor what caused the unique “Chaco” features to rise and decline. Even modern Hopi, Zuni and Pueblo Indians have not been able to fully explain the phenomenon, although both they and the archaeologists believe that some of the Chaco people are some of their ancestors. This is a very good book. The informal writing style is more readable than is sometimes the case with scientific books. ( )

This book is rich with diagrams, illustrations, maps, and photographs. The Chaco Project was the basis of this book, which after over 40 years, continues to uncover unique facts about the cultural, economical, and political and ceremonial phenomenon that is Chaco Canyon. Intended for the average reader, rather than the scholar.

A very interesting, easily readable book with many illustrations, focusing on the ancestral Puebloans of Chaco Canyon. It details the state of the research that has been carried out in Chaco Canyon and gives insight into many fascinating aspects of the ancient culture: from the mysterious road systems to signalling across distances and astronomic alignment of the Great Houses and other settlements.

As a layperson I found it a very good read. It gave me a better view on the People of Chaco - so it fulfills the expectations! I also liked the report of the first expeditions discovering Chaco - very interesting to get a glimpse of that. The only drawback in a way were the last two or three chapters, because the author there presents various viewpoints on the issues already presented in the book - so that confused me and made me wonder whether what I had read was 'accepted knowledge' or just one of the viewpoints among archeologists. But I would definitely recommend to read this book before you visit the canyon - then you see much more! ( )