Susan A Holland

A native of Topeka, Ks., Susan's interest in the American Indians of the SW began with her first visit to Mountainair, NM in 1967. Receiving a degree in anthropology from Northern Arizona University she became fascinated with the symbols on prehistoric pottery and petroglyph panels. Using the American Indian sign language and researching the Pawnee Indians, Susan associated symbols on an incised bison scapula hoe, recovered from a Kansas State Historical Society site in southeastern Kansas, to one of the Pawnee planting ceremonies. Her article, "Evidence of the Spring Planting Ceremony to Evening Star and Her Sacred Garden," was published in the Plains Anthropologist in 1998. As her interest grew, Susan connected documented material by early ethnologist who worked and lived among the American Indians of the SW to petroglyph and pictograph panels near Mountainair, NM. These symbols on the red sandstone of the area contain artistic pictures including: katchinas, various animals and birds, warriors with weapons and shields and solar panels. Years of dedicated research has resulted in her book "Symbolism of Petroglyphs and Pictographs near Mountainair New Mexico, the Gateway to Ancient Cities." It presents a look into the lives of the prehistoric inhabitants of that area by examining their way of life and spiritual beliefs which, lacking a written alphabet, they recorded with symbols. Susan's book provides a glimpse into that past culture which is now a part of their present day descendants. The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is proven by the award winning photography of MIKE ROONEY which offers outstanding color images of the symbols and panels discussed in this book by providing a first-hand look that makes it seem like you are actually visiting these sites in person. Mike and Susan are shown at the Topeka Book Festival which took place on Saturday Sept. 7 at the Capital Building in Topeka.