Digging in the Southwest

by Ann Axtell Morris

After Ann Morris graduated from Smith College, she married Earl Halstead Morris, and together they became the glamour couple of 1920s American archeology, living in a tent in Arizona's Canyon of the Dead for a season. In an era when wives rarely accompanied their scientist husbands into the field, Ann Morris was a trailblazer. This book covers their travels and digs during 1923-24 in a fun, almost breezy, style. This insight nto ancient southwestern history and field archeology of the 1920s includes new footnotes that correct outdated information.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh boy. Just based on the first handful of pages, I think this will be a good one.

"Where climate smiled, natural resources were plentiful, and racial stock progressive, civilization rose to extremely high levels. As a result the archaeological lode in those places is apt to be rich. Elsewhere, hard living and human stupidity produced their usual consequences of cultural barrenness."

[Peter Tillman]

Not at the library. Used copy from $775.00 @ Amazon! ILL?

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is with great reluctance I return this book to the library but I want to get this into other hands to enjoy as thoroughly as I did. Ann Axtell Morris is a new hero to me and I wish I could go back in time to have met her. I much preferred this sophomore effort to Digging in the Yucatan as it went deeper into both cultures and archaeological methods and was written in a more adult tone. And yet, the author still brought her humorous turns of phrase removing all doubt that archaeology is merely a dry and dusty subject. I often found myself laughing aloud and believe she reached the pinnacle of her wit in the chapter America was Discovered 10,000 Years Ago as she skewers fanciful ideas of how North and South America were peopled. There are scads of black and white photos to help illustrate her adventures and I have a renewed interest in viewing the sites mentioned in this book. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an enjoyable way to learn more about this subject.

[timv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published in 1933, this book is written with the tone of adventure, almost reaching to the realm of pot hunting. Reading it must make modern day archaeologists cringe. It certainly gives insight into the cultural climate of archaeology in the southwestern United States in the 1920s. If that interests you, give it a read. If not, it’s not worth your time.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides the historical interest, Mrs Morris' book is fun to read.

[Renny808 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since working at Aztec Ruins NM, I have been fascinated by Earl Morris, but now am even more obsessed with his wife Ann, who wrote this account of working in archeology in the Southwest in the early 1930s. What adventures! Mummies, the Lindberghs, quicksand, unconventional women! 💚 Some of it is of course a bit dated, but most of it was fascinating! I loved the chapter on the invention of dendrochronology and Ann's tongue in cheek commentary about all things. They need bring this back into print!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The copy of the book I borrowed from the library was ancient. Published in 1933. I should have worn white gloves while reading it.
Ann Axtell Morris's words touched me through the decades and felt like she was writing a personal letter just to me.
What a life she had! To be an archeologist in the 1920s was remarkable. I've visited Chaco Canyon. What a spiritual place. This book brought back so many good memories and made me want to return to the Navajo Nation.

[Lorraine McCleary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an out of print book written by Ann Morris in the 30's. A nice look at the beginnings of Archeology as a science rather than just grave digging for treasures to sell. But in fact, the whole book is about digging up burial sites for treasure, sigh....

[Genie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Axtell Morris was an exuberant woman archeologist with an adventurous spirit. I am so happy I found her book. She provides excellent info on indigenous cultures of the Four Corners area. Her clear observations provide an easy to grasp understanding of Basket Makers and Pueblo identity.