Great House Communities Across the Chacoan Landscape (Anthropological Papers of the University of Arizona)

Rating:
Summary: Thorough Yet One Dimensional
Review: The chapters of this publication are intently focused, it seems, on downplaying the role of a greater Chaco community across the San Juan Basin. Intra-valley development is the mantra of this volume. While there is no question that local development is significant an attempt at exploring the mechanics of interaction with neigboring groups, much less with a central canyon, is generally ignored. This creates a one-dimensional approach leading the reader to believe that people living within the basin were culturally confined, locally. The last chapter of this volume, which is authored by Steve Lekson is alone worth the price of the publication. Lekson is allowed to "Think Great" and encourages a broader view of the San Juan Basin, beyond local and regional boundaries.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough Yet One Dimensional
Review: The chapters of this publication are intently focused, it seems, on downplaying the role of a greater Chaco community across the San Juan Basin. Intra-valley development is the mantra of this volume. While there is no question that local development is significant an attempt at exploring the mechanics of interaction with neigboring groups, much less with a central canyon, is generally ignored. This creates a one-dimensional approach leading the reader to believe that people living within the basin were culturally confined, locally. The last chapter of this volume, which is authored by Steve Lekson is alone worth the price of the publication. Lekson is allowed to "Think Great" and encourages a broader view of the San Juan Basin, beyond local and regional boundaries.