Preface

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This document was originally prepared, in a slightly different format, for some friends and colleagues in 1994. It was intentionally written in an informal style, and aimed at a general, non-archaeologist/non-anthropologist audience. The purpose was to provide some understanding and appreciation of the locale and history of the Native Peoples of Northeastern Arizona and the surrounding region.

Following a recent return to the Four Corners and new experiences in that inspiring country, it occurred to the author that the document still existed, somewhere, on disk, and that, with some editing, it might be of interest to others on the Web. That copy was found, and a few revisions were made.

The author first became interested in the history of the American Southwest when he read Prehistoric America during the later years of grade school. The story of Clovis man and his stone points, and of the various discoveries and work of local giants, like the Wetherills and Gouldings, are still fresh in the memory, after many, many years. The one shortcoming of the book was a lasting inaccurate impression that every major archaeological discovery in the area was made by a White, teenage boy. It was something of a surprise when reading additional histories of the region, and visiting the area, to realize that there were some adults involved in the major archaeological discoveries in the Southwest.

I would like to thank some of my visitors/readers for providing additional information on Prehistoric America. Their help was greatly appreciated. My copy of the book was no longer easily available, following our most recent interstate move. Prehistoric America is one of the Landmark series of books, published by Random House. The author is Anne Terry White, who is also known as the author of Lost Worlds, an introduction to Archaeology.

For readers curious about the sources for this work, they include years of reading. This work is the product of a long interest in the Southwest, its archaeology, and inhabitants, as well as information acquired during trips to the area. A large number of books and photocopied articles from the author's personal library and from the public library were assembled in 1994 to check dates and the sequence of various events. The primary sources used in 1994 for this work are listed at the start of the Bibliography, in the "Suggested Reading List" section. An apology is given to the authors of many other books and articles that have been read through the years that are no longer available for citation. Additional material has come from personal conversations with residents of the Four Corners area.

To any readers having questions or requesting specific citations for statements contained herein, please recognize three things:

1. This was not originally intended to be a scholarly work. Footnotes, references, or citations were not needed and would have been intrusive and inappropriate in the original format. References are slowly being added to the existing text, and in new sections, as they are prepared. The work is expanding, primarily on weekends.



2. This document is an avocation, it is not a vocation. The author has created this site as a sideline. It is not part of the regular 40-hour week. Any e-mail questions will, of necessity, be replied to as time allows. Comments and documented revisions or corrections are welcome, but, again, can only be posted as time allows.



3. Most importantly, this is not intended to be a weighty tome. If this page can reach out and touch a young person, as Prehistoric America inspired me, I will be very pleased. I do not want to work in a style that would overwhelm or discourage the younger reader who may come to this page by chance or on a lark. I prefer a site that will welcome the younger reader, and perhaps make them decide to stay for a while.

Please read and enjoy the material on these pages.

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Proceed to Hopi - Roots

Proceed to The Illustrations and Images

Follow scholar Kokopelli to the Suggested Reading List

Return with Kokopelli to the hogan page, the Table of Contents

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Black Mesa Highlighted in Sunlight on a Stormy Day

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Use the moccasin telegraph to send comments in messenger Kokopelli's bag to treeves@ionet.net

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Contents, including illustrations, copyright © T. K. Reeves, 1997.

These Petroglyphs and diggings into the history of northeastern Arizona were last revised on 3 May 1997.