Kenneth L. Feder

xxii, 325 pages : 25 cm

"Presenting "the real deal" of American antiquity-- as opposed to the hyped fare of many cable TV shows-- Kenneth Feder invites readers to explore the stunning technological, architectural, engineering, and artistic achievements of America's first peoples. Part travel guide, part friendly reference, Ancient America showcases fifty iconic and publicly-accessible sites located across the contiguous United States-- including monumental pyramids of earth, "castles" ensconced in cliff niches, and vast rock art galleries. Among the places profiled are four World Heritage Sites (Chaco Canyon, NM; Mesa Verde, CO; Cahokia, IL; Poverty Point, LA); numerous Historic Landmarks and National Monuments (including Crystal River, FL; Town Creek Mound, NC; Casa Grande, AZ; and Hovenweep, UT); and stunningly diverse sites ranging from Serpent Mound (OH) and Horsethief Lake (WA) to Canyon de Chelly (AZ) and Nine Mile Canyon (UT). In addition to practical visitor information, Feder tells the fascinating stories of each site as revealed by archaeological research. Introductory chapters delve into the deep past of Native America; historical and cultural details as well as original photography round out the site entries. Readers will be inspired to visit these remarkable places where the past continues to resonate in the present."--Amazon.com.

Contains detailed and highly descriptive definitions for--and explanations of--terms related to extraordinary claims about human antiquity and its study. Some of the terms in this extensive list of topics relate to archaeological hoaxes. Many of the entries relate to dubious interpretations of the human past; some of the terms relate to far-fetched arguments that actually have produced evidence in support of their veracity. --from publisher description.

"This book is an offbeat field guide for sites in North America that reflect the rejection of the facts of prehistory and history. Though fake, the forty sites Feder highlights are fascinating and fun places to visit. Feder provides an entertaining summary of those forty sites along with the practical information you'll need to visit them."--Provided by publisher.