Traces of Fremont: Society and Rock Art in Ancient Utah

Fremont is a culture (ca. 300-1300 A.D.) first defined by archaeologist Noel Morss in 1928 based on characteristics unique to the area. Initially thought to be a simple socio-political system, recent reassessments of the Fremont assume a more complex society. This volume places Fremont rock art studies in this contemporary context. Author Steven Simms offers an innovative model of Fremont society, politics, and worldview using the principles of analogy and current archaeological evidence. Simms takes readers on a trip back in time by describing what a typical Fremont hamlet or residential area might have looked like a thousand years ago, including the inhabitants' daily activities. François Gohier's captivating photographs of Fremont art and artifacts offer an engaging complement to Simms's text, aiding us in our understanding of the lives of these ancient people.

Steven R. Simms is a professor of anthropology at Utah State University. He is the author of Ancient Peoples of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau.; François Gohier grew up in the Basque country in southwest France. He is a professional photographer and lives in San Diego, California.