Mimbres: History and Politics, Then and Now

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017, Dr. Steve Lekson visitedTucson to explore the roles modern history and politics have played in our understanding of the 11th century societies of southwestern New Mexico.
Lekson recently completed a study of Chaco archaeology framed by the history and politics of “Pueblo Space” - an idealized image of Pueblos, crafted in Santa Fe in the early 20th century and thereafter applied to archaeology. Mimbres - the 11th century societies of southwestern New Mexico - provides an interesting comparison. Archaeologists first declared Mimbres to be (Ancestral) Pueblo, then non-Pueblo, then Pueblo again … or maybe not. This matters very much in how Mimbres is understood archaeologically, and in how Mimbres is represented as Native heritage. Lekson will briefly illustrate the roles of modern history and politics at Chaco Canyon, and then turn those lenses on Mimbres - in particular, ancient Mimbres history and geopolitics. Mimbres clearly engaged both Hohokam and Ancestral Pueblo. Modern constructions of Mimbres color varying visions of how that ancient history played out. Lekson (of course) has constructions of Mimbres, based on almost 50 years of research in the Mimbres region - and his notions were also on the table for analysis at this café!
View upcoming Archaeology Café presentations at: www.archaeologysouthwest.org/things-to-do/cafe/

[@lonl123]

I became utterly consumed with Southwest Archaeology after reading Mr. Lekson's books. Loved his talk he gave here, and his views I think are spot on.

[@arcitejack]

So happy Leckson is back. He is the most provocative thinker on SW history. Listen to him.

[@bourgkul]

Lekson is the guru!

[@SolaceEasy]

Informative presentation - Thanks!

[@Istehomo]

That was refreshingly down to earth.

[@soulGrafitti]

Really nice work editing this presentation. I suspect the entire talk was nearly twice as long.

[@eaton55r]

people in the past - now look for prosperity as Devine guidance or? Anyway, there is always a reason to take from others and not looking back.

[@dustinhopinkah7021]

They think big buildings are for “nobles”, native history must be taken in its own context and not compared with other archeological viewpoints. Obviously there are societal leaders, but no king figures.

[@jool5941]

You may be right but you could be wrong too. Before the European arrived on this continent, those locations were just part of northern Mexico and Mexico had the Maya and Olmec. Both civilizations had kings and their influence could have bled over into North America. These civilizations were bigger and more connected than we realize.