Regional approaches to the study of prehistoric exchange have generated much new knowledge about intergroup and regional interaction. The American South west and Mesoamerica: Systems of Prehistoric Exchange is the first of two volumes that seek to provide current information regarding regional exchange on a conti nental basis. From a theoretical perspective, these volumes provide important data for the comparative analysis of regional systems relative to sociopolitical organization from simple hunter-gatherers to those of complex sociopolitical entities like the state. Although individual regional exchange systems are unique for each region and time period, general patterns emerge relative to sOciopolitical organization. Of significant interest to us are the dynamic processes of change, stability, rate of growth, and collapse of regional exchange systems relative to sociopolitical complexity. These volumes provide basic data to further our under standing of prehistoric exchange systems. The volume presents our current state of knowledge about regional exchange systems in the American Southwest and Mesoamerica. Each chapter synthesizes the research findings of a number of other researchers in order to provide a synchronic view of regional interaction for a specific chronological period. A diachronic view is also prOvided for regional interaction in the context of the developments in regional SOciopolitical organization. Most authors go beyond description by proposing alternative models within which to understand regional interaction. The book is organized by geographical and chronological divisions to pro vide units of the broader mosaic of prehistoric exchange systems.

This collection of thirteen highly orig­inal studies demonstrates the deeply penetrating influence on the American Southwest by a Mesoamerican culture. Many archaeologists have treated the abo­riginal American Southwest as essentially self-contained. Contrary to this long-held belief, the impressive evidence from the articles selected and edited for this volume is that throughout its history the South­west was tied to Mesoamerica by elaborate trade routes along which much of Mesoamerican culture was diffused north­ward. So complete was this dependence, the editors hold, that American South­western cultural development must have more than once been strongly affected by major historical events in far-off central Mexico. The distinguished group of scholars whose work, all dating to the mid-point of this century, is assembled includes Francis Ernest Lloyd, Charles Amsden, Emil W. Haury, Adolph F. Bandelier, Ralph L. Beals, J. O. Brew, J. Walter Fewkes, A. L. Kroeber, and Elsie Clews Parsons. This book of readings is intended as a source book for specialists and students, but will prove fascinating to nonspecial­ists interested in the American Indian and the Southwest.

The recognition of Flower Worlds is one of the most significant breakthroughs in the study of Indigenous spirituality in the Americas.Flower Worldsis the first volume to bring together a diverse range of scholars to create an interdisciplinary understanding of floral realms that extend at least 2,500 years in the past.

An extensively illustrated and ambitious overview of the continuities in culture between the American Southwest and the adjacent northwest of Mexico supported by an argument that a drastic socio-religious transformation occurred in the Southwest region during a period called Aztlan.

Using detailed osteological analyses and other lines of evidence, this study of prehistoric violence, homicide, and cannibalism explodes the myth that the Anasazi and other Southwest Indians were simple, peaceful farmers.

Paquimé (also known as Casas Grandes) and its antecedents are important and interesting parts of the prehispanic history in northwestern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. Not only is there a long history of human occupation, but Paquimé is one of the better examples of centralized influence. Unfortunately, it is also an understudied region compared to the U.S. Southwest and other places in Mesoamerica. This volume is the first large-scale investigation of the prehispanic ethnobotany of this important ancient site and its neighbors. The authors examine ethnobotanical relationships during Medio Period, AD 1200–1450, when Paquimé was at its most influential. Based on two decades of archaeological research, this book examines uses of plants for food, farming strategies, wood use, and anthropogenic ecology. The authors show that the relationships between plants and people are complex, interdependent, and reciprocal. This volume documents ethnobotanical relationships and shows their importance to the development of the Paquimé polity. How ancient farmers made a living in an arid to semi-arid region and the effects their livelihood had on the local biota, their relations with plants, and their connection with other peoples is worthy of serious study. The story of the Casas Grandes tradition holds valuable lessons for humanity.