Dance Hall of the Dead (1973)

A flat-topped hill or plateau of rock with one or more steep sides, usually rising abruptly from a surrounding plain. Commonly found in arid environments, mesas are formed by the erosion of horizontally layered rocks that have been pushed above the surface of the earth by tectonic activity.

In the context of Native American belief systems, "medicine" is an Anglicized term referring of a range of concepts that focus on the connections between an individual or group and both the natural and the spiritual worlds. These connections at times seem to be harnessed to affect positive change that is generally discussed in terms of healing or reparation. To work or make "medicine" often entails a holistic approach that promotes balance, harmony, and equilibrium, but that also, and very pragmatically, accepts that balance, harmony, and equilibrium may manifest in a time, place, and manner other than that requested.

Large mammals, related to elephants, that lived in the Americas unitl the late Pleistocene era, which ended about 12,000 years ago. Mastodons were smaller and less hairy than the wooly mammoth. Changing climate and habitat conditions, in combination with the effectiveness of Clovis and Folsom hunters, eventually drove the mastodon to extinction.

Generally speaking, in most indigenous traditions, including the Pueblo and Navajo cultures, when a dancer dons a mask for a specific ceremony, that dancer becomes the god represented by the mask, just as the mask becomes animated by the god as it is worn. The boy or man who prepares to wear a mask for a specific ritual actually becomes, or personates, the god whose semblance is captured by the mask. During the ceremony, the wearer does not impersonate or merely act like the god, but rather, he is the god.

Masks are sacred objects that facilitate communication and connection between man and gods. Even when not worn during ceremonial dances, masks are revered objects that are fed and taken care of, for example by Pueblo kiva societies or clans, who are responsible for the masks' well-being as if, and because, they are vital, dynamic, and sentient things.Masks are sacred objects that facilitate communication and connection between man and gods. Even when not worn during ceremonial dances, masks are revered objects that are fed and taken care of, for example by Pueblo kiva societies or clans, who are responsible for the masks' well being as if, and because, they are vital, dynamic, and sentient things.

The hollow, cylindrical portion of a gun through which bullets or shot are discharged. Gun barrels vary in length; the length affects the volume, accuracy, and velocity of the shot, as well as the ease of handling of the firearm itself. Depending on the type of gun, it may be loaded from the front or rear of the barrel.

Magic is the ability to influence natural objects and events through the mastery of supernatural or occult forces. In general, magic tends to fall in the realm of witchcraft, wizardry, and sorcery, where the forces in play, although not necessarily bad or evil in and of themselves, are put to coercive or greedy ends. Magic is more often understood to be about deception and dissembling rather than curing, healing, or helping.

A student pursuing an advanced academic or professional degree. At the end of academic graduate programs, as opposed to professional degree programs such as management, law, or medicine, students are required to submit a thesis or dissertation in some form, which is generally a report on their original research.

Large nuts, or shaped circular metal hubs, with holes in the middle that tighten over a metal bolt in order to secure two separate objects together, for example a tire onto an axle.

A hand tool with a hexagonal socket that fits around a lug nut. Often part of a car kit, especially one put together for changing tires.

A quality of richness in soil that has nearly equal amounts of clay, silt, and sand with humus, an organic substance consisting of decayed plat materials. Humus is the element that makes loamy soil incredibly fertile. This mix of sand, clay, silt, and humus causes the soil to be crumbly and prone to retain moisture.