Discover the surprisingly rich and varied cultures of ancient "New World" "Fascinating stuff and well told."-Farley Mowat The popular perception of ancient North America is of a land populated by crude bands of hunter-gatherers, with no real civilization or culture. But numerous recent archeological discoveries reveal a very different picture of the early continent-a land teeming with ingenious people who painted exquisite murals, built splendid cities, and worshipped formidable gods. Heather Pringle takes readers to nine of the most astonishing sites, in a trip spanning 25,000 tears of prehistory and traversing the continent, from the icy north to the desert south. Along the way, we encounter the earliest known traces of settlement at Bluefish Caves, high in the Yukon; the elaborate cave artwork of Pecos River, Texas; the thunder lords of the great city of Cahokia, near modern-day St. Louis; and the poignant mystery of the Vale of Tears, Ontario. Vividly written and beautifully illustrated, this archeological journey paints a rich portrait of the cultural diversity and brilliance of a long-lost world. * Includes 26 in-text illustrations of the sites and an 8-page color insert of stunning photos HEATHER PRINGLE (Vancouver, British Columbia) served as senior editor of Equinox Magazine in Canada from 1989 to 1993 and is currently a field correspondent. She is the recipient of a Gold National Magazine award. She has also contributed articles to Omni, National Geographic Traveler, New Scientist, and Saturday Night.