Historical Introduction to Studies Among the Sedentary Indians of New Mexico; Report on the Ruins of the Pueblo of Pecos / Papers Of The Archæological Institute Of America, American Series, Vol. I

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23224

Title

Historical Introduction to Studies Among the Sedentary Indians of New Mexico; Report on the Ruins of the Pueblo of Pecos / Papers Of The Archæological Institute Of America, American Series, Vol. I

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Adolph Francis Alphonse Bandelier's seminal 1881 report offers a rigorous archaeological and historical analysis of the Pueblo of Pecos. Blending precise architectural measurements with ethnographic history, this foundational text illuminates the rise and fall of one of North America's most significant indigenous civilizations, appealing to scholars and history enthusiasts alike.

Summary up to 500 words

In this comprehensive study, Adolph Francis Alphonse Bandelier provides a detailed examination of the Pueblo of Pecos, one of the largest and most complex aboriginal structures in the United States. The work begins by tracing the early European knowledge of sedentary Indians in New Mexico, discussing legends like the Seven Cities and the explorations of Nuño de Guzmán and Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. Bandelier meticulously documents the ruins, offering extensive ground plans, cross-sections, and measurements of the massive stone and adobe buildings, including the great court and multi-story wings. He analyzes the architectural evolution, noting later repairs made with materials unknown to the original builders, likely following the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The text also explores the ethnography of the region, detailing the linguistic distribution, burial customs, and defensive strategies of the inhabitants. Bandelier integrates historical documents from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to reconstruct the social and political life of the Pueblo people. Through careful observation and cross-referencing with other archaeological sites like those at Rio Chaco, he establishes Pecos as a paramount example of indigenous engineering. The report serves as an enduring resource for understanding the cultural heritage and historical trajectory of the Pueblo Indians before and after Spanish colonization.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Travel
• Anthropology