Hidden Heritage: Pueblo Indians, National Parks, and the Myth of the "Vanishing Anasazi"

Author

Joseph Owen Weixelman

Publication Date

5-18-2004

Abstract

Tourists who have visited the Southwest are familiar with the story of the "Anasazi." Most know them as mysterious people who built cliff dwellings in the labyrinth of desert canyons in the Four Corners, like those at Mesa Verde, Tsegi Canyon, or Canyon de Chelly, or as the architects of impressive abandoned villages, like those at Chaco Canyon or Wupatki. However, far too few realize these people were the ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians. This paper explores the roots of this misunderstanding by deconstructing the stories told by the dominant culture concerning the Pueblo heritage national parks and monuments and describes the problems the myth has created.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Margaret Connell-Szasz

Second Committee Member

Samuel Truett

Third Committee Member

Joseph Suina

Fourth Committee Member

Ferenc M. Szasz

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Recommended Citation

Weixelman, Joseph Owen. "Hidden Heritage: Pueblo Indians, National Parks, and the Myth of the "Vanishing Anasazi"." (2004). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hist_etds/232