Book SummaryThe Lost World of the Old Ones, by David Roberts

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Lost World of the Old Ones

Prehistoric Southwest Mysteries: Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont Societies

Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont Petroglyphs and Ruins

Exploring Lost Civilizations Through Expeditions and Findings

Roberts guides us on a personal journey through the southwestern United States, driven by his insatiable curiosity about its ancient inhabitants. He shares his experiences exploring remote gorges and plateaus, seeking evidence left by civilizations long past.

The author describes his own expeditions to remote and little-known locations, where he encounters evidence of sophisticated ancient societies. In Range Creek, Utah, for example, Roberts, together with climber Greg Child and archaeologist Renee Barlow, discovers and explores an extraordinary double granary perched high on an inaccessible cliff face. This site, dubbed "Waldo's Catwalk," showcases the Fremont people's impressive skill in vertical engineering, as they somehow managed to construct elaborate structures in such perilous locations. He also describes a grueling trek into the desolate "Kettle Country" on Navajo lands, trying to find the legendary refuge of Hoskinini, a Navajo leader who successfully evaded capture by the U.S. Army during the forced relocation of his people in the 1860s. Through these firsthand accounts, Roberts brings the challenges and thrills of exploring historic places to life.

Woven into his narratives of exploration are detailed descriptions of the remarkable ancient structures and carvings found throughout the region. He highlights locations such as Moon House and the Citadel on Cedar Mesa, which, despite their accessibility, still hold hidden features known only to a few seasoned explorers. Roberts also emphasizes the importance of protecting these fragile sites, lamenting the increasing damage caused by vandalism, looting, and even visitors who inadvertently contribute to their degradation.

Context

• The forced relocation of the Navajo people, referred to as the Long Walk, was a tragic event in the 1860s where thousands were marched to an internment camp at Bosque Redondo, New Mexico.
• The study of ancient societies in the southwestern United States provides insights into their social structures, trade networks, and interactions with neighboring cultures.
• The term "vertical engineering" refers to the construction techniques used to build structures on steep or inaccessible terrain, showcasing the ingenuity and adaptability of ancient peoples.
• The name likely refers to the precarious nature of the granary's location, suggesting a narrow, challenging path to reach it, similar to a "catwalk" in modern terms. This highlights the ingenuity and daring of the Fremont builders.
• The "Kettle Country" refers to a rugged and remote area on Navajo lands, characterized by its challenging terrain. This region is known for its natural beauty and isolation, making it a strategic location for those seeking refuge.
• By discussing the threats to these sites, Roberts underscores the importance of conservation and the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve these historical locations for future generations.
• The carvings often include petroglyphs and pictographs that may represent spiritual beliefs, astronomical events, or historical records, showcasing the artistry and symbolic language of the ancient cultures.
• Cedar Mesa is a plateau in southeastern Utah, rich in archaeological sites. It is part of the Bears Ears National Monument and is known for its diverse array of ancient ruins, rock art, and artifacts.
• There are specific conservation methods used to stabilize and preserve ancient structures and artifacts, which require expertise and resources to implement effectively.

Significance of Artifacts and Preservation of Sites

Handling and Displaying Fragile Backcountry Artifacts Debates

Roberts delves into the moral considerations and challenges surrounding the care and preservation of fragile archaeological artifacts. He presents differing perspectives on collecting artifacts, showcasing the internal conflicts within the archaeological community.

The author recounts the fascinating saga of the figurines discovered by Clarence Pilling, a collection of eleven exquisitely detailed, unfired clay effigies found in a Range Creek alcove in 1950. He describes the journey of the sculptures from their initial discovery by rancher Clarence Pilling to their presentation in various public and private venues, emphasizing the inherent vulnerability of such fragile objects. The tale takes an unexpected turn when a figurine goes missing for decades, only to be miraculously given...

The Lost World of the Old Ones Summary Ideas About Ancestral Puebloan Centers

Chaco Meridian Theory: Evidence Linking Prehistoric Centers

Roberts introduces readers to the groundbreaking "Chaco Meridian" hypothesis, advanced by archaeologist Steve Lekson, which posits a connection between three primary Ancestral Puebloan sites, located along the same longitude: Chaco Canyon, the Aztec archaeological site, and Paquimé. This theory challenges the long-held belief that these locations represented separate and unrelated cultural spheres.

Lekson argues that these three centers represent a shift of political and cultural power over a period of five centuries, with Chaco flourishing in the eleventh century, followed by Aztec reaching its height during the 1100s and 1200s, and finally Paquimé in the 1300s and 1400s. He points to architectural similarities between the sites, including the presence of great kivas, colonnades, and T-shaped doorways, as proof of a unified and evolving cultural tradition. He suggests that these features, uncommon elsewhere in the Southwest, indicate a deliberate and intentional alignment along a specific north-south axis.

Roberts further explores the implications of this theory, noting that it not only redefines the geographical...

The Lost World of the Old Ones Summary Archaeological Relationships Between the Navajo and the Ancestral People of the Pueblos

Navajo Perspectives on the Ruins and Ancient Rock Illustrations of the Ancestral Puebloans

Roberts explores the unique relationship between the Navajo people and the Ancestral Puebloans' rock art and ruins. He delves into the fascinating ways in which Navajo culture has both shaped and been shaped by its encounters with these historical remnants.

He highlights the Diné's awe and respect for the ancient sites, particularly the hard-to-reach dwellings on cliffs and the remote granaries. He explains that Navajos attributed supernatural abilities to the ancient Puebloan people, believing they possessed the power to fly, climb impossibly smooth rock faces, and communicate with powerful spirits. He cites anthropologist Robert S. McPherson's work, which documents these beliefs. For example, Navajo elders believed that the ancient inhabitants' ability to build in such inaccessible locations demonstrated their mastery of flight, aided by “sticky feet" or magical techniques involving “shiny stones.” They also saw connections between the Ancestral Puebloans and animals like lizards and reptiles that could easily scale vertical surfaces.

Roberts also reveals a darker side to these...

The Lost World of the Old Ones Summary Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont Cultural History and Archaeology

Origins, Migrations, and Continuity of Ancestral Puebloans

Controversies Around Terminology for Describing These Prehistoric Peoples

Roberts examines the challenges and controversies surrounding the terminology used to describe the prehistoric peoples of the Southwest, focusing on the debate over the term “Anasazi” used to denote the forerunners of the Pueblo people. He delves into the motivations related to cultural sensitivity behind the shift to the less culturally laden “Ancestral Puebloan,” which aims to avoid using the term from Navajo that can be perceived as disrespectful to modern Pueblo communities.

The author acknowledges these concerns as valid, while also expressing his own frustration with the cumbersome nature of the alternative term. He argues that the words "ancestral" and "Puebloan" both derive from European languages (English and Spanish) and, thus, hold colonial baggage as well. He humorously proposes a compromise coined by his friend Vaughn Hadenfeldt: the "Snazi" - a term that retains echoes of the familiar designation while suggesting a light-hearted appreciation for their artistic achievements. Ultimately, he grudgingly accepts the shift to...