Customer Reviews

Sun Dagger:America's Stonehenge [VHS]

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Narrated by Robert Redford and with comments by Joseph Campbell, this documentary shows how the artist Anna Sofaer stumbled across what is without question the most astonishing astronomical device of the ancient Americas. More than a thousand years ago, the Anasazi, in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, set three slabs of stone at the top of Fajada Butte and inscribed two spirals on the rockface below. The positioning of the slabs produces daggers of light on the spirals that indicate the first day of winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The way light falls on the large spiral at moonrise also indicates the progress of the 19-year cycle of the Moon. The perfect meeting of the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, and Time.

The more you know about astronomy, the more jaw-dropping this is, but no special knowledge is necessary because the documentary clearly explains the motion of the Sun and the Moon. Suitable for high school and up.

If you were in high school in the 1980s, especially if you are from the Southwest, you may already know about The Sun Dagger, but if not, it has probably completely escaped your attention.

Wathcing this video as a child is the reason I am now in graduate school studying archaeology in New Mexico! This video is full of academic information, but has mass appeal. Narrated by Robert Redford, some wonderful music accompanies the panoramic shots. Delightful introduction to a part of Chaco Canyon the typical visitor is no longer allowed to see as the stones have moved, and the sun dagger site is now closed to foot traffic.

Made long before "The Mystery of Chaco Canyon", "The Sun Dagger" documents Anna Sofaer's amazing discovery on Fajada Butte. Be sure to see both videos, as Anna made both of them. Both are narrated by Robert Redford. "Mystery of" is more modern and comprehensive. Anna comes across as an older, established expert on the Dagger, and she speaks quite matter-of-factly about its function. In "Sun Dagger", a younger, more vulnerable Anna presents her case for the newly-discovered Dagger to the skeptical scientific community, and she takes us along on that journey. We meet her peers and colorful mentors that supported and encouraged her to continue her investigations in spite of the many self-styled experts who didn't believe the Chacoan people could have created such an amazing astronomical marker.

Chaco Canyon has its own amazing history from 900 AD. The story of Richard Wetherill and the early excavators & archaeologists is interesting in its own right. Anna's story is more modern and just as compelling. Truly a must-see for any Chaco fan.

I have actually traveled to Chaco Canyon, which is in the northern part of New Mexico. The story of Chaco Canyon is such a wonderful story of our Native Americans, showing their ways and supposedly the wisdom in building this part of showing how the Sun Dagger can be seen at the certain part of the year. Much like the church in Virginia and of course, Stonehenge. There are several places in America that are quite similar, however, being from New Mexico, it is very fascinating what we have learned from this location. Robert Redford is such a great actor and after watching this, a wonderful narrator as well. His voice, his understanding resonates throughout the entire video.

I first saw this many years ago on PBS TV. It was so inspiring that I made the trek myself to Chaco Canyon during the summer solstice. Being an amateur astronomer the adventure introduced me to the field of archeoastronomy. I am forever grateful that I have been able to experience the awe and magic that still remains from a civilization that existed over 800 years ago. For me, this film is about the North American equivalent to "Stonehenge."
Though typical visitors are not allowed near the dagger stone itself there are still many other solstice and celestial markers in the canyon. Putting aside all logical, scientific, archeological, and historical recommendations this place is just plane "magic!" Check it out.