Anasazi America: Seventeen Centuries on the Road from Center Place »

David Stuart, the first student in the State of West Virginia to earn a degree in Anthropology, came to UNM in '67/'68 where he earned the Masters and Ph.D. and, later, an honorary doctorate from WVa Wesleyan College. He has conducted fieldwork in Mexico, Alaska, Ecuador ,and the American Southwest, where he continues to publish in both Anthropology and Archaeology. He served the University of New Mexico as a senior academic administrator for many years, and still teaches the Archaeology of New Mexico. His major books include Prehistoric New Mexico, Glimpses of the Ancient Southwest, Anasazi America, The Guaymas Chronicles, and Zone of Tolerance.

Describes the rise and 12th century demise of New Mexico's Chaco Anasazi—uncontrolled growth and separation into "haves" and "have nots" were their undoing. Modern industrial society has much to learn from this compelling saga of failure, adjustment, and redemption.

Utah Historical Quarterly

David Stuart . . . has made the findings of archaeology directly "relevant" to weighty, modern social and political issues. . . . [This] tale is structured around an interesting model that contrasts power and efficiency as alternative strategies for cultural survival. . . . Stuart's clear and straightforward prose is written to a popular audience, largely free of the technical and philosophical jargon that often suffocates archaeological and anthropological literature.