Canyon de Chelly: Its People and Rock Art

by Campbell Grant

With the exception of the Grand Canyon itself, none of the great gorges of the American Southwest is more uniquely beautiful than Canyon de Chelly, with its sheer red cliffs and innumerable prehistoric Indian dwellings. Of all the important centers of prehistoric Anasazi culture, only this magnificent canyon shows an unbroken record of settlement for more than 1,000 years. In this liberally illustrated book, rock art authority Campbell Grant examines four aspects of the spectacular its physical characteristics, its history of human habitation, its explorers and archaeologists, and its countless rock paintings and petroglyphs. Grant surveys 96 sites in the two main canyons and offers an interpretation of the rock art found there.

Genres: Native American, Archaeology, Anthropology, History

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Patrick Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down, this is the best book on the canyon so far. It is not comprehensive, by any means, nor is it empirical. It is a simple straightforward history with diversions into sociology, mythology and my favorite ‘y’ archaeology.

There is quite a bit of discussion on some of the recent discoveries at Mummy Cave andother sites the rest of us can’t get too.

If you are going to hire a private guide for a day trip, read this book first. Background on the lifestyles of the past residents will be crucial in understanding the dwellings and your guide.

This is a great reference source as well as an interesting read.

[Jim Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though an older book, this is an excellent work on the canyon, its history, and the rock art there. The book is divided into several major sections, each with a different focus. There are numerous photographs and drawing of rock art. The photographs are all in black and white, so some of the true look of the art is lost. Otherwise, a well-done and quite readable book. There is a good map of the canyon near the beginning of the book to which I went numerous times for orientation on where things were located.
The first section details the long story of the canyon, from prehistory with the arrival of the Basketmakers, through the different cliff dwelling builders, to the arrival of the Navajo. Especially interesting is the long struggle of the Navajo with so many different groups from other Native groups to Spaniards to Mexicans to Anglos and their tenacity to survive in the canyon. Much here is certainly tragic to read.
The section section summarizes all the expeditions into the canyon to learn more of its inhabitants, from the earliest archaeological ventures to the rock art studies in the final section of the book.
The last section is a detailed study of the different rock art in the canyon, including who created which art and possible meanings and even uses of the art. There is an appendix that summarizes the work of the study, detailing where the different art is located.
I feel so much better prepared for my upcoming trip to the canyon. I should be able to better understand much of what I am able to see than I would without this information.

[Ruth Bogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Asked the clerk at the gift store at Canyon de Chelly for a recommendation to fill several hours of reading. I was a little afraid it would be too academic. But it's well written, and very readable. Filled in a lot of gaps in my understanding of the Pueblo cultures and the Navajo. The Canyon itself is incredible, but even a 4-hour tour gives you just a taste. The book presented so much more.