CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS • RESEARCH AT BLACKWATER DRAW • AN ANCIENT DNA SURPRISE american archaeologySPRING 2014 a quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancy Vol. 18 No. 1 THE MYSTERY OF Shell Ornaments $3.95 SPRING 2014 americana quarterly publication of The Archaeological archaeology Conservancy Vol. 18 No. 1 COVER FEATURE 20 AN EXAMINATION OF HISTORIC TRADE BY JULIAN SMITH Archaeologists have been puzzled by the elaborate marine shell ornaments that have been found at many 17th- and 18th-century sites. A recent study offers answers as to who made them and why. 12 THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE BY MIKE TONER Archaeological sites are being threatened by rising sea levels, wild fires, and severe drought. 27 A BOY’S LIFE BY DAVID MALAKOFF DNA extracted from 24,000-year-old remains in Russia show a connection between Eurasians and modern Native Americans. 32 REVEALING THE DEEP PAST BY TAMARA STEWART Since it was first excavated in the 1930s, Blackwater Draw has yielded information about life in ancient times. 38 READY FOR RESEARCH BY PAULA NEELY Projects conducted on the The Archaeological Conservancy’s preserves have made important contributions to the field. 38 CHAZ EVANS 44 new acquisition A REMARKABLE ROCK ART SITE 47 new acquisition The Adelbert Doyle Smith Family Archaeological PRESERVING A PREHISTORIC VILLAGE Preserve contains hundreds of petroglyphs. The Portuguese Bench site was first occupied some 3,000 years ago. 46 new acquisition A GLIMPSE OF ANCIENT 48 point acquisition SOAPSTONE PRODUCTION HIGH ALTITUDE FARMING The Conservancy acquires the largest prehistoric The Paul-Bauman Pueblo could reveal why soapstone quarry in Virginia. the Anasazi farmed at such high elevations. 2 LAY OF THE LAND 50 FiELD NOTES 52 REVIEWS 54 EXPEDITIONS 3 LETTERS COVER: Numerous historic-period sites have yielded the kind of 5 EVENTS exquisite marine shell ornaments seen here. A recent study purports 7 IN THE NEWS to have solved the longstanding mystery of who made them. • Rare Maya Mural Found CREDIT: Permission of National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian • Megafauna Overkill Theory Questioned Institution (Cat. 199792 and 041543), Rochester Museum & Science Center • Ancient Village Uncovered in Miami (AR18596), and on loan to Rochester Museum & Science Center, courtesy of the Rock Foundation (RFC 11668/237). Photos by Duane Esarey. american archaeology 1 Lay of the Land Combining Research and Preservation hen The Archaeological Con- preserve undisturbed portions of each servancy acquires an impor- site forever. LIZ LOPEZ W tant site, we turn that site into This does not mean the Conser- Mark Michel, President a permanent archaeological research vancy is against research. On the con- preserve. The two key words are “per- trary, we promote scientific research As we protect more and more manent” and “research.” Following the on our preserves. (See “Ready For important sites, research will be a big- principles of conservation archaeol- Research,” page 38.) Our general ger part of the Conservancy’s mission. ogy, a doctrine first outlined by Wash- research guidelines set parameters for With such a large variety of archaeo- ington State University professor and conducting many different kinds of logical sites, we have a responsibility Conservancy board member William explorations—some invasive, some not. to encourage research that will both Lipe in 1974, the Conservancy believes Researchers apply to us for a permit. provide us with answers to many vital that future scholars will be able to We review the application along with questions and preserve this irreplace- learn many new things using new and a committee of peers and offer sugges- able resource. That way future scholars improved technology that we cannot tions before a final version is accepted. with new and improved tools will have even imagine today. Since archaeo- In our 33 years of operations we have undamaged places to work. logical excavations alter or destroy the approved every request for research, materials being worked, it is critical to save one. 2 spring • 2014 Letters Fascinated by Chunkey I was thrilled when I Editor’s opened the winter issue 2013-14 and read “The Games People Played.” I Corner anticipated there would History is fraught with tales of conflict be mention of chun- and conquest. In the case of American In Praise of key stones, and I was colonial history, the dominant theme excited. I have been Prehistoric is that of Europeans arriving in the an archaeology volun- Miners New World, gaining a toehold, and teer for the U.S. Forest In the recent article then gradually, inexorably, expanding Service in the PIT pro- “When Copper Was across the vast landscape to claim it. gram since 1996 and a King,” the extensive Their conquest of what is now the U.S. participant in the Arkansas mining activities of wasn’t easy, and, as we well know, it Archaeological Society summer pro- ancient Native Americans are noted, was hardly peaceful. gram since 2005. but nowhere was it mentioned that But European-Native American I was working at the Eaker site the Cliff Mine was one of a minimum interactions were also far too complex in Arkansas on June 18, 2006 when I of 82 historic mines located in areas to be defined by hostility. For instance, heard that wonderful, glorious, clink where prehistoric mining took place. take our cover story (“An Examination on my trowel. I excavated a round Prehistoric mining not only led to the of Historic Trade,” page 20). This is a stone, and I didn’t have a clue what discovery of copper veins, they also tale of early capitalism, of two parties it was until someone told me it was a guided the development of subsequent engaging in mutually beneficial and sat- chunkey stone, and only the third one mining operations there, such as that isfying trade. The natives had furs the found in Arkansas. They estimated it of the Pittsburgh and Boston Mining Europeans wanted, and the Europeans was produced circa A.D. 1200. It was in Company. reciprocated with shell ornaments that excellent condition, with only a small Thank you for this opportunity the natives prized. chip on one edge. to credit the original discoverers of According to archaeologist Duane Since then I have had a profound the vast deposits of native copper in Esarey, who has studied the shell orna- interest in chunkey stones and was the western Lake Superior region and ment-for-fur trade, it was an example of delighted to read your article. Thank acknowledge the critical, if uninten- how to keep your customers satisfied. you for enlightening me further about tional, role they played in one of North As this trade evolved, the Europeans— the chunkey game and all the other America’s first great mineral rushes. Esarey believes it was the Dutch in games ancient people played. John R. Halsey this case—were intent on keeping the Joann Benedetto State Archaeologist natives happy. That required upgrad- Columbus, Indiana of Michigan 1976-2010 ing their product line of what he calls SMS (standardized marine shell orna- ments) by fashioning them into shapes Sending Letters to American Archaeology that had cosmological significance to American Archaeology welcomes your letters. Native Americans. Esarey thinks that he’s solved the Write to us at 1717 Girard Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, longstanding mystery of who made or send us e-mail at [email protected]. the SMS and why. He’s also shown We reserve the right to edit and publish letters in the magazine’s that, while history is rife with conflict, Letters department as space permits. Please include your name, there’s also the occasional story of cus- address, and telephone number with all correspondence, tomer service. including e-mail messages. american archaeology 3 Welcome to the ArchAeologicAl conservAncy! 1717 Girard Boulevard NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 • (505) 266-1540 he Archaeological Conservancy is the www.americanarchaeology.org only national nonprofit organization that identifies, acquires, and preserves Board of Directors the most significant archaeological Gordon Wilson, New Mexico CHAIRMAN sites in the United States. Since its Cecil F. Antone, Arizona • Carol Condie, New Mexico beginning in 1980, the Conservancy Janet Creighton, Washington • Jerry Golden, Colorado W. James Judge, Colorado • Jay T. Last, California • Bill Lipe, Idaho has preserved more than 470 sites t Leslie Masson, Massachusetts • Dorinda Oliver, New York across the nation, ranging in age from the Rosamond Stanton, Montana earliest habitation sites in North America to a 19th-century frontier army post. We are Conservancy Staff building a national system of archaeological Mark Michel, President • Tione Joseph, Business Manager preserves to ensure the survival of our Lorna Wolf, Membership Director • Sarah Shuler, Special Projects Director Laurie Dudasik, Web Developer • Melissa Montoya, Administrative Assistant irreplaceable cultural heritage. Jessica Alden, Administrative Assistant • Emily Collom, Administrative Assistant Why Save Archaeological Sites? The ancient people of North America Regional Offices and Directors left virtually no written records of their Jim Walker, Vice President, Southwestern Region (505) 266-1540 cultures. Clues that might someday 1717 Girard Boulevard NE • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 solve the mysteries of prehistoric Tamara Stewart, Projects Coordinator • Chaz Evans, Field Representative America are still missing, and when a ruin is destroyed by looters, or Paul Gardner, Vice President, Midwestern Region (614) 267-1100 leveled for a shopping center, precious 3620 N. High St. #307 • Columbus, Ohio 43214 information is lost. By permanently Josh McConaughy, Field Representative preserving endangered ruins, we Jessica Crawford, Regional Director, Southeastern Region (662) 326-6465 make sure they will be here for future 315 Locust St. • P.O. Box 270 • Marks, Mississippi 38646 generations to study and enjoy. George Lowry, Field Representative How We Raise Funds: Cory Wilkins, Regional Director, Western Region (530) 592-9797 Funds for the Conservancy come 620 3rd St.