From 1933 to 1944, a wide range of archaeological and cultural heritage projects were funded across this country as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The results of work east of the Mississippi River are amply documented in other publications. However, little has been reported or synthesized regarding western archaeological work, its role in economic recovery, or its impact on the direction and knowledge of the discipline. This volume shares previously untold stories of New Deal archaeology from across the American West and explores insights into the past revealed by these projects. Descriptions of New Deal projects and their contributions to our understanding of the past, as well as the stories of those involved--archaeologists, avocationalists, and others--are woven together across the chapters. Also documented are lost or scattered artifacts, records, and ancestors' remains; incomplete analyses; unpublished reports; inconsistent application of scientific methodology; and the loss of Native sacred sites and traditional lands and lifeways. Authors highlight characteristics that distinguished the American West from the East during the Depression and affected the nature of New Deal projects, including the extent of federal land available in the West, the reliance of sparsely populated areas upon tourism, the presence of large resident Native populations with deep histories, and the wide-ranging degree of existing archaeology infrastructure in each state. This volume demonstrates that despite regional differences, New Deal-funded archaeological and cultural heritage projects created a legacy of knowledge and practice across the nation.
Kelly J. Pool is a principal investigator and senior archaeological consultant at Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, A Terracon Company, in Eagle, CO. Mark L. Howe is the cultural resources specialist at the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), in El Paso, TX.
"New Deal Archaeology in the West makes a poorly known, under-published record accessible to current and future archaeologists. In so doing, it acts as a reference for researchers investigating these early, key projects. . . . I applaud Pool and Howe for this fascinating study that increases our understanding of early to mid-twentieth century archaeology in the western United States. Archaeologists, historians, and preservationists will find this volume of interest."--Thatcher A. Seltzer-Rogers, Newsletter of the New Mexico Archeological Council "This is a fantastic volume that fills a significant gap in the literature and in our understanding of the history of archaeology in the American West. It is really remarkable how poorly documented some of these projects have been until now."--Stephen E. Nash, Denver Museum of Nature and Science "This volume stands as a tribute to the people who worked to preserve and to better understand our national heritage. Federally funded archaeology during the Great Depression had a monumental influence on the practice of archaeology in the United States, and this excellent examination of New Deal archaeology provides an important foundation for appreciating their achievements and contributions."--David H. Dye, University of Memphis
