Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Anasazi of SW Utah: The Dance of Light and Shadow


The following Book Review was posted by www.exploringrockart.com on the Barnes and Noble website:


Research of solar interactions with Rock Art in the Southwest is frequently published and is frequently centered on Chaco Canyon. Only a small amount of the published research focuses on activity in SW Utah, in particular Washington, Kane, and Iron Counties and it is very refreshing to see a book of this nature appear on the market. This book, The Dance of Light and Shadow, may be the precursor of future research publications as Mr. Urbaniak will undoubtedly continue his research.

Mr. Urbaniak has spent countless hours in the field identifying potential sites and analyzing the interactions at Solstice, Equinox and Cross Quarter times, and at sunrise and sunset.

His analysis of the Santa Clara River site and the Little Man site shows the dedication and thoroughness of his research. Digital Photographs and clear descriptions are frequently accompanied by time-sequenced photographs of the events as they occurred. Many event descriptions also contain compass, angular orientations, and other informative information.

This book is highly recommended for Rock Art students and advocates. Those who have, or want to develop an interest in Archaeoastronomy will appreciate the many facets of prehistoric astronomy as practiced by the Ancestral Puebloans, formerly known as the Virgin Anasazi.



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