The Safford and Aravaipa valleys of Arizona have always lingered in the wings of Southwestern archaeology; away from the spotlight held by the more thoroughly studied Tucson and Phoenix Basins; the Mogollon Rim area; and the Colorado Plateau. Yet these two valleys hold intriguing clues to understanding the social processes; particularly migration and the interaction it engenders; that led to the coalescence of ancient populations throughout the Greater Southwest in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries A.D. Because the Safford and Aravaipa valleys show cultural influences from diverse areas of the pre-Hispanic Southwest; particularly the Phoenix Basin; the Mogollon Rim; and the Kayenta and Tusayan region; they serve as a microcosm of many of the social changes that occurred in other areas of the Southwest during this time. This research explores the social changes that took place in the Safford and Aravaipa valleys during the thirteenth through the fifteenth centuries A.D. as a result of an influx of migrants from the Kayenta and Tusayan regions of northeastern Arizona. Focusing on domestic architecture and ceramics; the author evaluates how migration affects the expression of identity of both migrant and indigenous populations in the Safford and Aravaipa valleys and provides a model for research in other areas where migration played an important role. Archaeologists interested in the Greater Southwest will find a wealth of information on these little-known valleys that provides contextualization for this important and intriguing time period; and those interested in migration in the ancient past will find a useful case study that goes beyond identifying incidents of migration to understanding its long-lasting implications for both migrants and the local people they impacted.
#2410070 in Books Brookings Institution Press 2007-05-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x .99 x 6.60l; 1.25 #File Name: 0815701322323 pages
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Solutions open new problemsBy Fabrizio C. CelentanoThis book was much needed. Unfortunately it is only a book; a drop of water in the desert; although we should never forget that single drops added up to dig the desert canyons. Much more must be done; and this requires confronting a problem not addressed by the Author.Why are we; people of the western countries; making such a confusion between politics and religion and why; anyhow; religion appears to be the key to peace within the people referring to the three Abrahamic religions? As modern people; living in a western democracy; we should be bound to separate Church and State. Which is not exactly achieved in too many of the western countries; USA included; and surely; despite the presence of Ahmed's Aligarh model; is not the case in the Islamic countries. Thus it appears that using a language to be appreciated by our Islamic travel mates means speaking a language that is not properly our own; although it is becoming increasingly popular in some countries having a Christian tradition. There is a contradiction that needs been solved. I hope that our Author and other serious scholars show us how.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Ali K. SabirWow! what more can we I say :)1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fresh Look at Islam and GlobalizationBy Edward E. PixleyThough I am a novice in Islamic Studies; for any American who is still lured into the stereotyping of Moslims(and that means most Americans); this book is a must. It is extemely readable; current; and relevant. Not only does Profesor Ahmed give us a fresh look into Islam; both historical and contemporary; he challenges much of the accepted wisdom on globalization; as well as democratization; and he does so with detailed documentation and authority.