Anthropological Papers #120: Surviving Adversity: The Sinagua of Lizard Man Village

Description

Authors: Kamp, Kathryn A. and Whittaker, John C.

Publisher: University of Utah Press

Pub Date: 1999 (Reprint edition)

Binding: Paperback

Condition: 2 copies.  Copy 1: Fair.  Binding tight.   Previous owner’s stamp on upper corner ffep/half-title page, side and upper text blocks.  Lower corner of page 93-4 has two folds, inner approx. 1/2″, outer approx. 1″.  Lower rear cover corner at spine foot has an approx. 1/8″ tear.  Smudging to rear cover.  Some edge and corner wear.  Copy 2 (BG): Fair to Good.  Binding tight.  No marks, tears, bends or folds.  Very light edge and corner wear.  Appears unused.  This is undoubtedly a Print on Demand edition.

Notes: “The Northern Sinagua of Lizard Man Village and similar sites led a tenuous existence as farmers.  Ecologically, the Flagstaff area is not well suited to the growing of crops….While volcanic cinders, prevalent in the region since the eruption of Sunset Crater sometime around 1064, aid in moisture retention, the effect is insufficient to compensate for extremely low levels of rainfall….It is likely that crop failures would have been common, particularly in the Elden Phase when droughts seem to have been more common than earlier…Nevertheless, the Northern Sinagua managed to occupy the Flagstaff region as farmers for upwards of 800 years.”  (From the Introduction)  Surrounded on all sides over time by the Anasazi, Mogollon, Prescott, Cohonina, and Hohokam, the Sinagua seemed to have gotten along with everybody, including themselves.  While the authors seem to pooh-pooh the idea that the Sinagua had enough resources for themselves, perhaps one reason for their 800 year success was the ability to trade extra food for stuff.