Archaeological Oddities: A Field Guide to Forty Claims of Lost Civilizations, Ancient Visitors, and Other Strange Sites in North America - Hardcover

Feder Central Connecticut State University, Kenneth L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1538105969 ISBN 13: 9781538105962

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2019

Synopsis

Does evidence show that Native Americas residing in Utah a thousand years ago lived among dinosaurs, depicting those creatures in their rock art? Did some of those same ancient Americans also encounter visitors from other planets, painting images of space-suited aliens on canyon walls? Have archaeologists discovered evidence that members of the Lost Tribes of Israel visited ancient America, leaving their mark by engraving the Ten Commandments in Hebrew on rocks in New Mexico? And Ohio? Is there archaeological evidence of ancient Celtic visitors to the New World in the form of messages etched in stone, megalithic monuments, and even the remnants of the villages in which they lived? Are American archaeologists covering up the remains of lost cities deeply ensconced in a secret cave in Arizona and in a subterranean chamber in Missouri? Finally, have archaeologists discovered the far western outpost of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, not in Egypt or even Africa, but in, of all places, California?

Those questions and more are answered by archaeologist Ken Feder in Archaeological Oddities: A Field Guide to Forty Claims of Lost Civilizations, Ancient Visitors, and Other Strange Sites in North America that the above listed questions and others addressed in his book represent the equivalent of “fake news” about America’s ancient past. The forty sites he highlights are, in fact, fascinating and fun places to visit. Feder’s guide provides an entertaining summary of those forty sites along with the practical information you’ll need to visit them. This full-color book includes over 100 fascinating photographs.

About this title

About the Author:

Kenneth L. Feder, professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut State University, specializes in the archaeology of North America. He is author of several books, including Ancient America: Fifty Archaeological Sites to See for Yourself . Feder has appeared on numerous television documentaries on the National Geographic Channel, the BBC's Horizon, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and the SyFy Channel and has been featured in episodes of the Canadian-based William Shatner’sWeird or What?

Review:

Archaeologist and author Kenneth L. Feder has written several books about ancient sites and, in this book, takes on forty places that have interesting but strange stories that stretch credulity. He tells the story of the place, how it was discovered, what artifacts were found and in what condition and circumstances, who was involved and what their motive might have been to create the find, why there is skepticism, and how to find and visit the site now. Since he is a highly educated archaeologist, Feder is able to debunk this stories handily. He is an accomplished writer with a lively writing style and a wonderful sense of humor exemplified by the ‘Fake-o-meter’ included in many of the chapters. Wonderful photographs support the writing and help to make this an absolutely fascinating book. Don’t miss this one. (Tulsa Book Review)

Feder has written the indispensable travel guide to the most colorful blind-alleys and wacky dead-ends of North American archaeology. He knows the territory like nobody else, and he’s passionate about the subject with a delightful sense of humor. And along the way, you’ll learn a lot about real archaeology too. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. (Brad Lepper, Senior Curator of Archaeology, Ohio History Connection)

Ken Feder is an indefatigable archaeological traveler, blessed with insatiable curiosity. He takes us on an entertaining, at times funny, and always well informed excursion to forty archaeological sites where you can experience the often zany site of North American archaeology first hand. This nicely written, well illustrated book takes us on a delicious archaeological journey through a sumptuous array of oddities. It’s a delight. (Brian Fagan, emeritus professor of anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara)

Feder's humorous commentary and honest presentation of facts make this a fun and informative read. Probably the best way to plan a unique trip to an unusual place in search of hidden messages, lost civilizations, and ancient aliens. (Sara Head, host of Archaeology Fantasies)

Feder’s latest is a fascinating field guide to America’s imaginary past from an expert archaeological traveler who combines deep knowledge, a wicked sense of humor, and a thoughtful perspective on the many ways Americans envision ancient times. (Jason Colavito, author of The Cult of Alien Gods: H.P. Lovecraft and Extraterrestrial Pop Culture)

Feder's excellent Archaeological Oddities is an oddity itself: an exhaustive guide to the spookiest archaeological sites in North America that provides real evidence. Readers who want the facts, dig in. Highly recommended. (Jeb J. Card, assistant teaching professor, department of anthropology, Miami University)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1538105969
• ISBN 13: 9781538105962
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 312