A Green Band in a Parched and Burning Land: Sobaipuri O'Odham Landscapes

A Green Band in a Parched and Burning Land is a book that combines historical sources, archaeological data, and oral history to reveal the unique history of the Sobaipuri Oodham, a powerful Indigenous group in southern Arizona. The book challenges conventional wisdom and sheds light on their landscape use, settlement patterns, and way of life, including their irrigation farming practices and occupation of river valleys long after supposed abandonment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

A Green Band in a Parched and Burning Land is a groundbreaking work that delves into the rich and complex history of the Sobaipuri Oodham, a powerful Indigenous group in southern Arizona during the terminal prehistoric and early historic periods. This comprehensive study, the result of decades of research, offers a thorough and detailed understanding of this enigmatic community, often overlooked and under-studied. Deni J. Seymour, a renowned historian and archaeologist, combines historical sources, fresh archaeological data, and oral history to present a fresh perspective on the native history of the region.

The Sobaipuri Oodham were irrigation farmers, occupying lush strips along major rivers in the region, including the headwaters of the San Pedro and other areas previously believed to be beyond their control. Seymour's extensive fieldwork, conversations with direct descendants (the Oodham residents of Wa:k), and recent breakthroughs in archaeological, ethnographic, and ethnohistorical research shed light on their unique forms of landscape use, settlement patterns, and way of life.

Through meticulous analysis, Seymour reveals the distinctive architectural features of the Sobaipuri Oodham, including their use of building materials, linear site layout, and other elements that define their archaeological signature. She also provides new dating for individual sites, detailed building episodes, and occupational sequences, shedding light on the complexity and longevity of their settlements. Moreover, the book explores evidence of cumulative village occupation and the habitation of river valleys and other locales long after they were supposedly abandoned, challenging conventional narratives and reorienting our understanding of their history.

A Green Band in a Parched and Burning Land also delves into the key relationships between site distributions and landscape characteristics. By examining the spatial arrangement of their settlements and the natural features surrounding them, Seymour sheds light on the cultural and ecological factors that shaped their way of life. This book addresses some of the longest-standing archaeological and historical questions about the Sobaipuri Oodham, reorienting the discussion of their crucial place in the history of the region.

In conclusion, A Green Band in a Parched and Burning Land is a seminal work that revolutionizes our understanding of the Sobaipuri Oodham and their profound impact on the history of southern Arizona. Through meticulous research, rich analysis, and a fresh perspective, Deni J. Seymour has provided a comprehensive and groundbreaking account of this enigmatic community. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history, archaeology, and the complexities of cultural interactions in the American Southwest.

Weight: 452g
ISBN-13: 9781646422968