Description
The lives of ancient Puebloans who lived in the American southwest are largely mysterious to us. Their legacy is a series of architectural sites that reveal their ingenious building skills, elements of their religious practice, and the art they carved into stone. Ancient Civilizations of the Southwest explores that cultural heritage and celebrates its legacy and preservation. Locations featured in the 2020 edition include: Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico; Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado; Ancestral Dwelling, Cedar Mesa, Utah; Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico; Aztec Ruins National Monument; Coconino National Forest, Arizona; El Morro National Monument, New Mexico; Wupatki National Monument, Arizona; Canyon de Chelly National Monument; Navajo National Monument, Arizona. Ancient Civilizations is co-sponsored by The Archaeological Conservancy. Established in 1980, The Archaeological Conservancy is the only national, non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring and preserving the best of our nation s remaining archaeological sites. Every day prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in the United States are lost forever along with the precious information they contain. Modern-day looters use backhoes and bulldozers to dig up artifacts for the international market. Suburban development and agricultural methods like land leveling and topsoil mining destroy ancient sites. The Conservancy protects these sites by acquiring the land on which they rest, preserving them for posterity. To date, the Conservancy has protected more than 500 sites, which are managed as part of state or federal parks, or by the Conservancy as permanent archaeological preserves. Each site offers us a chance to learn more about America s rich cultural heritage.
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