Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town

by Robert A. Birmingham, Lynne Goldstein

Aztalan has remained a mystery since the early nineteenth century when it was discovered by settlers who came to the Crawfish River, fifty miles west of Milwaukee. Who were the early indigenous people who inhabited this place? When did they live here? Why did they disappear?

Birmingham and Goldstein attempt to unlock some of the mysteries, providing insights and information about the group of people who first settled here in 1100 AD. Filled with maps, drawings, and photographs of artifacts, this small volume examines a time before modern Native American people settled in this area.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Native American, Native Americans, Anthropology, Archaeology, American History

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2006

Reviews

[Riff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good review of what we know about Aztalan, one of the northern-most (southeast Wisconsin) outposts/towns/(cities?) of the Mississippian culture/civilization of pre-colonial America - it was a mixed community of Mississippian migrants & local(ish?) people. Didn't know much about the site before reading this so I can't say if research since the books publication in 2005 has dramatically changed our understanding. Lots of figures, especially maps, to help illustrate points, which is nice. Somewhat lacking in the references department, with some statements which should have a reference not having any. Not that I doubt the authors (who are experts in the topic, esp Lynne Goldstein) but it would be handy for looking deeper into things. Starting the book off with a chapter on the history of excavation at the site I think was a bit odd. This probably would have been best before or after the detailed description of site. The book definitely plays too much into the profound "mystery" trope that archeologists of societies without written records often fall into (*cough* CHACO *cough*), but Aztalan is pretty well understood having read this book! There are certainly open questions, but they tend to be specific & somewhat arcane - what was Aztalan's relationship the great Mississippian city of Cahokia? Was it a trade outpost, a group of exiled or dissident Cahokian migrants, a colonial outpost of a Cahokian city-state? Did this relationship change over time? What was there relationship with the nearby Oneota groups? That there have been no, or very few, sherds of Oneota pottery found at Aztalan despite major Oneota settlements being within a days walk would suggest relations were not warm. Aztalan has a pretty elaborate defensive system of walls, bastions, & baffle gates which which can't have just been a paranoid extravagance. Someone out there was a threat! I wonder if the other major Mississippian settlement in Wisconsin, Trempealeau along the Driftless Region canyon of the Mississippi, is so extensively defended? I liked that occasionally the authors referred to the, may Allah forgive me for uttering this word, "mounds" as pyramids (specifically earthen platform pyramids). Would recommend for anyone interested as a good introduction to this important site.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not the place to start if you want an overview of American Indian archaeology or history in Wisconsin. Another book by the author, Indian Mounds of Wisconsin, includes some of the same material and more.

Since there wasn't much new material to me except for the few chapters explicitly focused on Aztalan, I felt I would have enjoyed it more as an introduction to a new edition of an older archaeological text, like Barrett's Ancient Aztalan or Increase Lapham's Antiquities of Wisconsin. But maybe not. I guess this book probably contains the best on Aztalan from those sources, including photos of its artifacts and revisions of Lapham's maps. It's less of a commitment than Barrett's book, obviously, and probably a lot easier to find.

So yes, this should be first on your list if you want something on Aztalan, but it should come later if you are looking into Wisconsin archaeology more generally.

[Valiant Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small but worthwhile book on that does a good job of summarizing what is known of Aztalan. The authors are a former Wisconsin State Archaeologist and a professor who headed excavations at Aztalan for 30 years. The book does a decent job of painting a picture of the circumstances surrounding Aztalan's creation and the basic facts of how the people lived. A must-read for anyone interested in Aztalan specifically, and the Mississipians more generally. There's not much here regarding the Mysteries of Ancient America, but it packs a lot of the hard facts on Aztalan and the Mississipians into 100 pages.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is a gem in that it describes the civilizations that lived at Aztalan as well as the archeology work that was done there. Now it is a park and the remains are protected which is a very good thing. The book dispels the wrong headed thinking of Euro Americans. The native civilization was both Mississippian and hence connected with Cahokia and Late Woodland.

[David A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lifelong interest in the ways of Native Americans and the fact that Aztalan is located only about 12 miles from my home made this book a natural for me.
It is well written and has lots of information.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short introduction on a Mississippian village in Wisconsin. Filled with good maps and photos, but not too too much detail. Wish it had been a bit longer, but for what I was, I quite enjoyed it.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading the book before visiting Aztalan. The descriptions and history were very helpful in understanding the site.

[Chet Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aztalan, a fortified American Indian farming community (approx. 1050-1150 AD) near Lake Mills, Wisconsin, is a fascinating archeological site. It was a large ceremonial center and strategically placed trading outpost colonized by Mississippians who had migrated up from the metropolis of Cahokia, centered along the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. Author Robert Birmingham, a former Wisconsin State Archeologist and professor at UW-Waukesha, served as an outstanding and immensely knowledgeable tour guide.

[Meadow Frisbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Wisconson, people have found the remnants of a highly cultural civilazatoin. But somewhere along the way, it stopped, and it's people vanished. This book taked you in depth as to the artifacs, building remains, old maps....ect.

It's VERY interesting. Makes you wish we could have seen Aztalan in all it's glory. Many people today don't think Native American's had much advancement, but this hidden city proves them wrong. I wonder how many ancient civilazations and towns are under out feet.

[Abby]

Concise and very informative, with enough archeological imagination to keep things fresh. Not bad. First time in a while I finished my archeology reading...

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in ancient America and Cahokia/Mississippian culture.