This book is the first in more than a decade to provide new information on the Chavin phenomenon of ancient Peru. Thought by some to be the "Mother Culture" of ancient Peruvian cultures, Chavin is remarkable for its baroque, sophisticated art style in a variety of media, including finely carved stone monuments, beautifully formed pottery, and magnificent and complex metallurgy. Also, the textiles from Chavin are incredibly innovative, both iconographically and structurally. They, in fact, form the foundation for the later Andean textile evolution. Chapters in this book cover new interpretations of the history of the site of Chavin de Huantar, studies of related cultures, the role of shamanism, and many other topics of interest to specialists and the general reader, alike.

David Hatcher Childress, popular Lost Cities author and star of the History Channel’s long-running show Ancient Aliens, takes us to the mysterious ruins in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia in search of ancient technology and the secrets of megalith building. In his new book, packed with photos and diagrams, Childress examines the amazing stonecutting at Puma Punku, a site neighboring the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. He looks at whether the so-called “Inca walls”-found in Cuzco and at other sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu-were really made by the Incas. The evidence seems to support the idea that they were actually constructed by a far older culture. Childress examines the megalithic construction and underground chambers of Chavin in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, possibly the oldest megalithic site in South America. He also speculates on the existence of a sunken city in Lake Titicaca and reveals new evidence that the Sumerians may have arrived in South America over 4,000 years ago. Childress demonstrates that the use of “keystone cuts” with metal clamps poured into them to secure megalithic construction was an advanced technology used all over the world, from the Andes to Egypt, Greece and Southeast Asia. He maintains that only power tools could have made the intricate articulation and drill holes found in extremely hard granite and basalt blocks in Bolivia and Peru, and that the megalith builders had to have had advanced methods for moving and stacking gigantic blocks of stone, some weighing over 100 tons. The incredible high-tech world of South America is illuminated in the informative and breezy style for which Childress has always been known. Chapters in the book include: The Lost World of South America; The Enigma of Ancient Technology; Ancient Technology at Tiwanaku and Puma Punku; The Sumerian Mining Complex at Tiwanaku; Mysteries of Lake Titicaca and the Towers; Ancient Technology in Cuzco; The Megaliths of Ollantaytambo; Did the Incas Build Machu Picchu?; and more!

This engaging work uses key discoveries, events, people, techniques, and controversies to give the general reader a rich history of archaeology from its beginnings in the 16th century to the present. The history of archaeology leads from the musty collections of dilettante antiquarians to high-tech science. The book identifies three major developmental periods—Birth of Archaeology (16th–18th centuries), Archaeology of Origins and Empires (19th century), and World Archaeology (20th century). An introductory essay acquaints the reader with the essence of the science for each period. The short entries comprising the balance of the book expand on the themes introduced in the essays. Organized around personalities, techniques, controversies, and conflicts, the encyclopedia brings to life the history of archaeology. It broadens the general reader's knowledge by detailing the professional significance of widely known discoveries while introducing to wider knowledge obscure but important moments in archaeology. Archaeology is replete with the visionaries and swashbucklers of popular myth; it is also filled with careful and dedicated scientists.

Perhaps the contributions of South American archaeology to the larger field of world archaeology have been inadequately recognized. If so, this is probably because there have been relatively few archaeologists working in South America outside of Peru and recent advances in knowledge in other parts of the continent are only beginning to enter larger archaeological discourse. Many ideas of and about South American archaeology held by scholars from outside the area are going to change irrevocably with the appearance of the present volume. Not only does the Handbook of South American Archaeology (HSAA) provide immense and broad information about ancient South America, the volume also showcases the contributions made by South Americans to social theory. Moreover, one of the merits of this volume is that about half the authors (30) are South Americans, and the bibliographies in their chapters will be especially useful guides to Spanish and Portuguese literature as well as to the latest research. It is inevitable that the HSAA will be compared with the multi-volume Handbook of South American Indians (HSAI), with its detailed descriptions of indigenous peoples of South America, that was organized and edited by Julian Steward. Although there are heroic archaeological essays in the HSAI, by the likes of Junius Bird, Gordon Willey, John Rowe, and John Murra, Steward states frankly in his introduction to Volume Two that “arch- ology is included by way of background” to the ethnographic chapters.

A groundbreaking treatment of heritage survival in African and African American cooking.

An unprecedented undertaking by academics reflecting an extraordinary vision of world history, this landmark multivolume encyclopedia focuses on specific themes of human development across cultures era by era, providing the most in-depth, expansive presentation available of the development of humanity from a global perspective. Well-known and widely respected historians worked together to create and guide the project in order to offer the most up-to-date visions available. A monumental undertaking. A stunning academic achievement. ABC-CLIO's World History Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive work to take a large-scale thematic look at the human species worldwide. Comprised of 21 volumes covering 9 eras, an introductory volume, and an index, it charts the extraordinary journey of humankind, revealing crucial connections among civilizations in different regions through the ages. Within each era, the encyclopedia highlights pivotal interactions and exchanges among cultures within eight broad thematic categories: population and environment, society and culture, migration and travel, politics and statecraft, economics and trade, conflict and cooperation, thought and religion, science and technology. Aligned to national history standards and packed with images, primary resources, current citations, and extensive teaching and learning support, the World History Encyclopedia gives students, educators, researchers, and interested general readers a means of navigating the broad sweep of history unlike any ever published.

This book begins with an introduction of what is hoped to be accomplished within its pages. Since the purpose of the Gospel in these latter days is to bring people unto Christ and the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, then our challenge is to build on these fundamental truths. To bring people closer to the truth and the Gospel of Christ through the Book of Mormon is our quest. We hope to not detract from this mission but to enhance it and present evidence that the Book of Mormon is literally true in every sense of the word. In fact, we believe that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book ever written. So we will start with that premise and work backward, if you will, to collaborate the truth of the Book of Mormon. We are not trying to prove the Book of Mormon is true because we already know that, but what we are going to do is discover and find evidence and proof from the legends, geography, history, archaeology, and some physical attributes that establish the truth. We see the Book of Mormon as the absolute truth that all things are measured against in our study. We realize that much has been already written about this most-important scriptural text. It is hoped that these discoveries are as wonderful for you, the reader, as they are for those that have already discovered them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Concerning the record (The Book of Mormon) the Prophet Joseph Smith said: I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. --Introduction to the Book of Mormon The Promise In this book, we review a unique promise that comes from the ancient Lamanite prophet, Samuel, to the remnant of the Children of Lehi. At the time of this prophecy, the Lamanites were more righteous than the Nephites and because of their dedication and devotion they were given this promise: 12. Yea, I say unto you, that in the latter times the promises of the Lord have been extended to our brethren, the Lamanites; and notwithstanding the many afflictions which they shall have, and notwithstanding they shall be driven to and fro upon the face of the earth, and be hunted, and shall be smitten and scattered abroad, having no place for refuge, the Lord shall be merciful unto them. 13. And this is according to the prophecy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge, which is the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep. Helaman 15:10-13 This great prophecy says that once again these people will be favored of the Lord and come to a knowledge of the truth of the gospel and will embrace it. With that knowledge of truth in the latter days will come a realization of who they are, where they came from, where they lived, and who they will become. And just like the Lamanites in earlier times, these Children of Lehi will again discover their heritage and discard the false teachings of their fore fathers. They will come to a knowledge of their Savior and be numbered in His Church. This prophecy is literally true and is now coming about, and it is the purpose of this book to bring these truths from the Book of Mormon to this chosen people, to bring people to Christ. There is currently a Marvellous Work and a Wonder happening amongst this people. A marvellous miracle is occurring with the Lords children specifically in South America. The sole purpose of this book is to increase faith and testimony among all true believers in Jesus Christ and this other testament, the Book of Mormon. We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3-5) Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lords kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. - Introduction to the Book of Mormon