Vernacular Architecture in the Pre-Columbian Americas

Christina T. Halperin is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the Université de Montréal, Canada. She is a specialist in Maya archaeology and has published a number of papers and books, with her research focusing on the household, political economy, gender, materiality and daily life.Lauren E. Schwartz is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Kenyon College, USA. Her research focuses on how the study of households, architecture and the built environment can inform our understanding of ancient social identity.

• Part I. Introduction1. The Archaeology of Vernacular Architecture in the Pre-Columbian Americas Christina T. Halperin & Lauren E. SchwartzPart II. Building Buildings2. Ethnoarchaeology and Archaeology of Vernacular Architecture in the Department of Tumbes, PeruJerry D. Moore3. Traditional Architecture as Peopled Practice at Monte Viudo, Chachapoyas, PeruAnna Guengerich4. Vernacular Architecture of Southeast Mesoamerica: An Evaluation of Design Variations and Identity Expression from the Late and Terminal Classic Middle Chamelecón-Cacaulapa, Northwest HondurasLauren E. SchwartzPart III. Structuring Structures5. Vernacular vs. State Housing in the Wari Empire: Cosmological Clashes and CompromisesDonna Nash6. Vernacular and Monumental Maya Architecture: Translations and Lost in Translation During the Terminal Classic period (ca. 800-950 CE)Christina T. HalperinPart IV. The Temporality of Vernacular Architecture7. Building Cahokia: Transformation through TraditionSusan M. Alt8. The Living House: The Vernacular Architecture of Early Postclassic Xaltocan, Mexico Kristin De Lucia9. Vernacular Architecture in the Chacoan WorldKellam ThrogmortonPart V. Conclusion10. Vernacular Architecture: Insights into Practice, Identity, and Relationships in Pre-Columbian Societies in the Americas Julia A. Hendon

"The book is an excellent resource for archaeologists interested in the study of prehistoric vernacular architecture in North and South America. It offers an assessment of prehistoric construction techniques and the meaning of architectural forms before cultures were disrupted by European dominance." - Cameron H. Lacquement, Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama.