Anthropological archaeologists have long faced a contradiction: We appreciate the beauty of the objects we study, but, lacking insights into aesthetics and art, we dryly reduce those objects to artifacts and data. In this new book, Marit Munson provides us with an enlightening new perspective for understanding art—the artists, the audiences, the images, and the aesthetics—in the archaeology of the ancient Southwest. For readers interested in art in general, the book showcases insights gained from the Southwestern past. And for those specially interested in the Southwest, Munson opens eyes and minds to new ways of seeing.
Michelle Hegmon, Arizona State University Many people value southwestern archaeology for its art, for the beauty of its ancient pottery, enigmatic rock art and finely-made shell and stone jewelry. Archaeologists find this attraction uncomfortable, because we are trained to emphasize general patterns in material remains rather than unique achievements, and we know that we will never understand the meanings these objects— however magnificent—had for the people who made and used them. In this thoughtful and concise treatment, Marit Munson argues persuasively that archaeologists have much to learn by expanding their vision to include the art behind the artifacts considering the artists, their audiences, the imagery, and even their aesthetics, because in doing so we develop new tools to better understand the past.
Linda S. Cordell, senior scholar, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe; professor emerita, University of Colorado, Boulder A very valuable attempt to move archaeological analysis beyond current standard artifact approaches. All archaeologists who work in the American Southwest will find it essential.
Journal of Anthropological Research