University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Search this
Extent:
1 Film reel (3 minutes, color silent; 100 feet, 16mm)
Type:
Archival materials
Film reels
Date:
circa 1939
Scope and Contents:
Footage documenting archaeological sites representing Anasazi occupation in the American Southwest. Included is film of the excavation of settlement sites by Earl H. Morris in Hidden Valley, near Durango, Colorado. Film of the site is very brief, however, evidence has revealed occupation dates from the AD 700s. Basket Maker III occupation of the site was characterized by isolated pit houses and surface granaries, the excavation of one such unit being visible in the film. The footage also captures archaeological sites, however not excavations, at the Canyon del Muerto, in Southeast Arizona. Documented are dozens of petroglyphs representing animal forms as well as geometric designs. In addition, the Mummy Cave Tower is also visible in the film, notable because of E. Morris' discovery of prayer sticks embedded in the adobe walls of the structure. Interpretation has suggested initial occupation from Basket Maker II and III on through Pueblo III.
Local Number:
HSFA 1987.5.2
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History films, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution
