Curator of Archaeology (Emeritus)
University of Colorado
Department of Anthropology
Stephen H. Lekson received his PhD in 1988 in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico. He is Curator of Anthropology, Museum of Natural History, and Professor of Anthropology at the University of Colorado. A specialist in the archaeology of the North American Southwest, Dr. Lekson has worked throughout the Four Corners region, including several sites we will visit on the trip. Dr. Lekson is the author of many books and other periodicals, most notably A History of the Ancient Southwest, The Architecture of Chaco Canyon, The Archaeology of Chaco Canyon, and Great Pueblo Architecture of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. His provocative and challenging book, The Chaco Meridian: Centers of Power in the Ancient Southwest, has created a storm of controversy.
He has been consultant and curator of several projects including the permanent exhibit at Chaco Canyon National Park Visitors’ Center, and has presented papers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Dr. Lekson has been an invited speaker at many conferences and public lectures, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Archaeological Institute of America, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts, and was a featured speaker on Southwest archaeology on several radio and television specials including National Public Radio, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.
Steve is a knowledgeable, personable, and a fascinating teacher.
“Steve was a terrific lecturer, very informative and approachable. He was engaging, funny, knowledgeable, interesting, a real hit.” – Lori Mei
“Steve’s discursive style really highlighted the complexity of the history of the different cultures in the area. He vamped wonderfully on the bus rides, he told entertaining stories about local archaeology, all the while imparting knowledge. Kudos to him.’ – Steve Lanning
“A+++++ The highlight of the trip. Extremely knowledgeable, approachable, down-to-earth and a good sense of humor. A gem.” – Karen Doherty
“Steve was an exceptional leader. He provided a vast amount of content about a wide subject matter. Since he is not afraid of controversy or truth, we were not fed the sort of fiction that many such tours are fed. At the same time, Steve was sensitive to and honest about cultural encounters, and dived into their complexity with care. Steve brought stones to life, reminding me of the Faulkner character’s line: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”’ – Dan Massey
