Stephen Lekson. 1999. The Chaco Meridian. Altamira Press, Walnut Creek. ISBN 0-7619-91801-6, alkaline paper. 174 pp; 2 appendices, a bibliography and an index.
A Provocative Challenge
Stephen Lekson's provocative and challenging new book takes pieces of the puzzle of the American southwest and reassembles them into a straight line; one connecting the sites of Chaco Canyon, Aztec Ruin and Paquime or Casas Grandes.
While the three sites have been known and studied since the late 19th century, the connection between the three has never been made in quite this manner before.
Lekson begins his book with a warning that "this book is not for the faint of heart, or for neophytes." And he is quite right; for to be able to go along for the ride, you'll need your seat belt fastened and at least a nodding acquaintance with the prehistoric cultures of the American southwest.
While the three sites have been known and studied since the late 19th century, the connection between the three has never been made in quite this manner before.
Lekson begins his book with a warning that "this book is not for the faint of heart, or for neophytes." And he is quite right; for to be able to go along for the ride, you'll need your seat belt fastened and at least a nodding acquaintance with the prehistoric cultures of the American southwest.
The Basic Argument
Lekson's argument is that Anasazi prehistory begins at Chaco Canyon, where a small group of people resided beginning around 900 AD. By 1100 AD or so, Chaco had become a ceremonial center, the like of which had not so far been seen in the American southwest. But something happened, and in 1125, building stopped at Chaco. Construction at Aztec Ruin, located north of Chaco Canyon, began in the Chacoan style around 1110, and continued until around 1275. The earliest dates for Paquime, or Casas Grandes, a center larger than Chaco but far to the south in Mexico, are 1250 to 1300 and they extend to around 1500 AD. And all three are aligned on approximately the same longitude; 107 degrees, 57 minutes and 25 seconds. Lekson argues that this is no coincidence, that the elite families of all three sites were related, and that the alignment was an intentional and meaningful one.
Complexity
But the argument isn't, of course, that simple, and in fact Lekson documents similarities--and differences--between ceramic styles and building styles and the presence of exotic materials such as macaws, gulf coast shells and copper bells. Interestingly, Lekson interweaves information from Native American origin myths, reminiscent of the work of anthropologist Robert Hall.
The book is well-written; the tone is casual and readable. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the American southwest; it is an exciting exercise in the possible. Also, take a look at David Phillips' online rebuttal of Lekson's argument and Lekson's response. I was absolutely charmed by the humor and good nature of the expression of fundamental disagreement between these two scholars.
The book is well-written; the tone is casual and readable. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the American southwest; it is an exciting exercise in the possible. Also, take a look at David Phillips' online rebuttal of Lekson's argument and Lekson's response. I was absolutely charmed by the humor and good nature of the expression of fundamental disagreement between these two scholars.
