Preview
  • In Search of the Old Ones

  • Exploring the Anasazi World of the Southwest
  • By: David Roberts
  • Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
  • Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (121 ratings)

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In Search of the Old Ones

By: David Roberts
Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
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Publisher's summary

An exuberant, hands-on fly-on-the-wall account that combines the thrill of canyoneering and rock climbing with the intellectual sleuthing of archaeology to explore the Anasazi.

David Roberts describes the culture of the Anasazi - the name means "enemy ancestors" in Navajo - who once inhabited the Colorado Plateau and whose modern descendants are the Hopi Indians of Arizona. Archaeologists, Roberts writes, have been puzzling over the Anasazi for more than a century, trying to determine the environmental and cultural stresses that caused their society to collapse 700 years ago. He guides us through controversies in the historical record, among them the haunting question of whether the Anasazi committed acts of cannibalism.

Roberts's book is full of up-to-date thinking on the culture of the ancient people who lived in the harsh desert country of the Southwest.

©1996 David Roberts (P)2017 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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Critic reviews

"[Roberts's] awe at the region's beauty, with its sheer cliffs, canyons and mesas, and at the testaments to an unknown culture will be contagious for readers." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about In Search of the Old Ones

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Midwest Native American History

Great read, and full of some interesting information! Enjoyed reading more about some of the ruins and those who spent time excavating in the areas.

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great book

really enjoyed the book and glad the author did not give too many specifics. thanks for the consideration!

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1 person found this helpful

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History Buff

Great book for those who love ancient Indian History. Easy to listen to, kept my attention!

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well written account of Anasazi history

Narrator did not know how to pronounce many names of places and plants common in the Southwest.

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Anasazi and Wilderness Exploration must read

As a lover of the southwest and Anasazi, this is a favorite of mine. It really captures the thrill of exploring canyon country in search of the Anasazi.

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Excellent, compelling history of Anazazi

Must read for anyone interested in SW Indian history. Fabulous book. Exciting to read. Author makes it feel like you are there with him hiking hidden canyons in the 4-Corners region. Poor narrator who mis-pronounced all unfamiliar words, slaughtering words like canyon, shards (as in pot shards), burial, contoversy, Mesa (as in Mesa Verde), Chaco.

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The outdoor museum…

The prose may be dry in places, (pun unintended) but the authors heart seems to be in the Colorado canyon country, otherwise known as Abbey’s Land. I enjoyed the book.

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Gr8 4 history of Archaeology & ancestral puebloans

the first few hours are a bit tough to get through as he explains the history of archaeology in the southwest and of ancestral puebloan sites. But it ties together very nicely as the rest of the book focuses on HIS experiences in the field. very thoughtful, fun listen. well worth the time 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

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Great introductory book to the Anasazi culture. Very enjoyable and informative. Highly recommended and praised.

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    5 out of 5 stars

fascinating

great book, the author does a great job of navigating the somewhat precarious balance between cultural and environmental sensitivity and thrill of archeological discovery and adventure. this book will make you want to get outside!

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2 people found this helpful