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DEMYSTIFYING THE MAYA • COLONIZING WESTERN FLORIDA • THE PSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY PHENOMENON americanamerican archaeologyarchaeologySPRING 2005 a quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancy Vol. 9 No. 1

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COVER FEATURE 19 NEW REVELATIONS AT MOUNDVILLE BY MIKE TONER New research tells of this community’s beginning and end.

12 DEMYSTIFYING THE MAYA BY DAVID MALAKOFF Archaeologists once believed that the Maya mysteriously MOUNDVILLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK collapsed over a short period of time. This notion is facing a stern challenge.

26 COLONIZING WESTERN FLORIDA BY KC SMITH The Spanish colonized eastern and western Florida. An investigation shows how differently they approached the two regions.

33 WORKING TOGETHER BY ALISON STEIN WELLNER When the Eastern Pequot wanted to know more about their history, they consulted an archaeologist.

39 THE PECULIAR PHENOMENON OF PSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY TIM BARKER BY KENNETH L. FEDER Is the popularity of pseudoarchaeology reason for concern? 2 Lay of the Land 3 Letters 45 new acquisition A WOODLAND VILLAGE TURNED FRONTIER TOWN 5 Events The Conservancy’s latest preserve in Michigan has had 7 In the News a number of important occupations. New Dating Technique Applied to Prehistoric Hawaiian Temples • Evidence 46 new acquisition Supports Accounts of Aztec Sacrifice • SITE PRESERVED WITHIN SUBDIVISION Middle Archaic Site Found in Colorado The Shamrock Estates preserve is a model for cultural resource management. 50 Field Notes 52 Reviews 47 point acquisition THE CONSERVANCY ACQUIRES A SITE 54 Expeditions Bayou Portage Guidry is an important prehistoric site. COVER: Perched atop Mound B, Moundville’s 48 point acquisition tallest structure, is a reconstructed version of IN PURSUIT OF THE FIRST the paramount chief’s house. Photograph by Richard Alexander Cooke, III The Conservancy preserves ’s Caney site.

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Lay of the Land

An Improving Relationship

he legal battle over the remains gists are working for the Eastern Pe- of , the 9,400- quot tribe in Connecticut to help the T year-old skeleton found near tribe better understand their history. Kennewick, Washington, in 1996, This is not an isolated incident. All seemed to pit Native Americans across America, archaeologists are DARREN POORE against archaeologists for control of working closely with tribes. More and MARK MICHEL, President the nation’s history. While that dis- more tribes are establishing their pute did indeed emphasize (and ex- own historic preservation offices to For too many years, archaeolo- aggerate) conflict over the handling gain a greater knowledge of their gists were rightly viewed as non-Na- and disposition of human remains, it own history. They are hiring more ar- tives doing research on Natives. This was only part of the story. chaeologists every year—both Native situation is changing fast as the tribes Spurred to some degree by the and non-Native. They are devote more resources to studying need to join forces to implement the state-of-the-art curation facilities and their own past and more Native Native American Graves Protection visitor centers on tribal lands with Americans become archaeological and Repatriation Act of 1990, archae- tribal money. The Conservancy works professionals. It is a positive develop- ologists and Indian tribes are working closely with these tribal archaeology ment that needs all of the encourage- together more than ever before. In programs to identify and preserve ar- ment it can get. this issue of American Archaeology, chaeological sites that are important we tell how non-Native archaeolo- to the tribes and the nation.

Archaeology learning adventures!

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Seasons & Cycles: Pathways of Pueblo Women A fascinating exploration of the lives and times of Pueblo Indian women through history. July 31–August 6, 2005

The Excavated Past Walk through a millennium of intrigue in this retrospective study

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CST 2059347-50 CCAC’s programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin.

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Letters

NPS Too PC Ban “Anasazi” I was astounded to For a long time, I have Editor’s Corner read in the Winter been bothered by Our feature “The Peculiar Phenomenon of issue that the na- your use of the term Pseudoarchaeology” examines the popu- tional parks were “Anasazi.” Pueblo larity of bogus archaeology and its effects. banning certain people have made it The article’s author, Ken Feder, an archae- books from their clear that this term ologist with Central Connecticut State bookstores. When I is an inappropriate University, has been studying and writing read who the authors name for their an- about this subject for some 20 years. He were, I was even more cestors. By contrast, teaches an introductory course in archae- surprised. Some of our in articles about historic-period ology, and over the years he’s polled his best archaeological authors are sites, you respect African-Ameri- students regarding their acceptance of banned because they did not use cans by using the term they prefer various myths supported by pseudoar- the correct wording for Anasazi for themselves and their forebears. chaeology. (oops, sorry, Ancestral Puebloan) I was moved to write by your In 2003 he asked his students if there or photographed rock art. article on banned books in national is convincing evidence that the lost conti- I have read many books by park bookstores. Every bookstore nent Atlantis exists. Thirty-three percent the banned authors and will sup- in the world has criteria for choos- of his students either strongly or mildly port them in any way I can, even ing stock. No bookstore carries believed that such evidence exists. if it means returning all the every book that is printed, or even Twenty-two percent expressed strong or books I have purchased from the every book on a particular subject. mild disbelief in this evidence. Forty-five Park Service over the years (after If you ran a bookstore, I doubt that percent had no opinion. all, they are now considered “cul- you would carry titles that are con- Some people might find it surprising, turally incorrect”). It is, as one of sidered disrespectful of the people perhaps even shocking, that only 22 per- the authors, Polly Schaafsma, about whom the books were writ- cent of these university students believe stated, a “terrible infringement ten, especially if those people are Atlantis to be a fiction. Feder explained on intellectual freedom.” Politi- your co-workers and neighbors. that his is the first archaeology class that cal correctness has gone much many of these students take, and their too far. Perhaps a note attached Chris Judson previous exposure to the subject often to the inside of the cover of Los Alamos, New Mexico comes in the form of television shows these banned books explaining that glamorize pseudoarchaeology. Re- how some groups feel about Sending Letters to viewing the poll with that in mind, the re- some of the wording in the text sults aren’t so surprising. would be a smarter way of han- American Archaeology The students who believe in Atlantis dling the situation. For example, may also believe in other myths, such as American Archaeology welcomes “This book is rated politically in- extraterrestrials visiting Earth in prehis- your letters. Write to us at correct by some cultures” might toric times to nudge human civilization 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, be a solution. Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517, or along. To Feder and other archaeologists, I will write the National Park send us e-mail at [email protected]. We this susceptibility to myths is no small Service to complain. American reserve the right to edit and publish letters matter. They think it suggests the public’s Archaeology is a terrific maga- in the magazine’s Letters department as inability to distinguish science from pseu- zine. Keep up the great work. space permits. Please include your name, doscience. No small matter, indeed. address and telephone number with all Tina Nupuf correspondence, including e-mail messages. Canoga Park, CA

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WELCOME TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVANCY! 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902 Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517 • (505) 266-1540 www.americanarchaeology.org he Archaeological Conservancy is the only national non-profit Board of Directors organization that identifies, ac- Vincas Steponaitis, , CHAIRMAN quires, and preserves the most Cecil F. Antone, Arizona • Carol Condie, New Mexico Janet Creighton, Washington • Janet EtsHokin, significant archaeological sites in the t Jerry EtsHokin, Illinois • W. James Judge, Colorado . Since its beginning in Jay T. Last, California • Dorinda Oliver, New York 1980, the Conservancy has preserved Rosamond Stanton, Montana • Dee Ann Story, Texas more than 295 sites across the nation, Stewart L. Udall, New Mexico • Gordon Wilson, New Mexico ranging in age from the earliest habita- Conservancy Staff tion sites in to a 19th- Mark Michel, President • Tione Joseph, Business Manager century frontier army post. We are Lorna Thickett, Membership Director • Sarah Tiberi, Special Projects Director building a national system of archaeo- Shelley Smith, Membership Assistant • Valerie Long, Administrative Assistant logical preserves to ensure the survival Yvonne Woolfolk, Administrative Assistant of our irreplaceable cultural heritage. Regional Offices and Directors Jim Walker, Vice President, Southwest Region (505) 266-1540 Why Save Archaeological Sites? The 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902 • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 ancient people of North America left vir- Tamara Stewart, Projects Coordinator • Steve Koczan, Site-Management Coordinator tually no written records of their cul- Amy Espinoza-Ar, Field Representative tures. Clues that might someday solve the mysteries of prehistoric America are Paul Gardner, Vice President, Midwest Region (614) 267-1100 3620 N. High St. #207 • Columbus, 43214 still missing, and when a ruin is de- Joe Navari, Field Representative stroyed by looters, or leveled for a shop- ping center, precious information is lost. Alan Gruber, Vice President, Southeast Region (770) 975-4344 By permanently preserving endangered 5997 Cedar Crest Road • Acworth, Georgia 30101 ruins, we make sure they will be here for Jessica Crawford, Delta Field Representative future generations to study and enjoy. Gene Hurych, Western Region (916) 399-1193 1 Shoal Court #67 • Sacramento, California 95831 How We Raise Funds: Funds for the Conservancy come from membership Andy Stout, Eastern Region, (301) 682-6359 dues, individual contributions, corpora- 717 N. Market St. • Frederick, MD 21701 tions, and foundations. Gifts and be- quests of money, land, and securities are ® fully tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) american archaeology of the Internal Revenue Code. Planned giving provides donors with substantial PUBLISHER: Mark Michel tax deductions and a variety of benefici- EDITOR: Michael Bawaya (505) 266-9668, [email protected] ary possibilities. For more information, ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tamara Stewart call Mark Michel at (505) 266-1540. ART DIRECTOR: Vicki Marie Singer, [email protected]

The Role of the Magazine: American Editorial Advisory Board Archaeology is the only popular maga- Scott Anfinson, Minnesota Historic Preservation • Darrell Creel, University of Texas zine devoted to presenting the rich di- Linda Derry, Alabama Historical Commission • Mark Esarey, versity of archaeology in the Americas. Kristen Gremillion, • Richard Jenkins, California Dept. of Forestry The purpose of the magazine is to help Trinkle Jones, • Sarah Neusius, University of Penn. readers appreciate and understand the Claudine Payne, Archaeological Survey archaeological wonders available to Douglas Perrelli, SUNY-Buffalo • Judyth Reed, Bureau of Land Management them, and to raise their awareness of the Ann Rogers, Oregon State University • Joe Saunders, University of Louisiana-Monroe destruction of our cultural heritage. By Kevin Smith, Middle Tennessee State University sharing new discoveries, research, and Art Spiess, Maine Historic Preservation• Ruth Van Dyke, Colorado College activities in an enjoyable and informa- Robert Wall, Towson State University • Rob Whitlam, Washington State Archaeologist tive way, we hope we can make learning Richard Woodbury, University of Massachusetts • Don Wyckoff, University of Oklahoma about ancient America as exciting as National Advertising Office it is essential. Marcia Ulibarri, Advertising Representative 5301 Central Ave. NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108; How to Say Hello: By mail: (505) 344-6018; Fax (505) 345-3430; [email protected] The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, American Archaeology (ISSN 1093-8400) is published quarterly by The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517; Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517. Title registered U.S. Pat. and TM Office, © 2005 by TAC. Printed in the United by phone: (505) 266-1540; States. Periodicals postage paid Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices. Single copies are $3.95. A one-year mem- bership to the Conservancy is $25 and includes receipt of American Archaeology. Of the member’s dues, $6 is designated for by e-mail: [email protected]; or visit our a one-year magazine subscription. READERS: For new memberships, renewals, or change of address, write to The Archaeo- Web site: www.americanarchaeology.org logical Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517, or call (505) 266-1540. For changes of address, include old and new addresses. Articles are published for educational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conservancy, its editorial board, or American Archaeology. Article proposals and artwork should be addressed to the editor. No responsibility assumed for unsolicited material. All articles receive expert review. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Archaeology, The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517; (505) 266-1540. All rights reserved. American Archaeology does not accept advertising from dealers in archaeological artifacts or antiquities.

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Museum exhibits • Tours • Festivals Meetings • Education • Conferences Events

NEW EXHIBITS CONFERENCES, Brooklyn Museum of Art LECTURES & FESTIVALS Brooklyn, N.Y.—The new installation The Central States “Living Legacies: The Arts of the Ameri- Anthropological Society (CSAS) cas” features the museum’s world- 82nd Annual Meeting renowned collection of indigenous art March 10–12, Miami University from North, Central, and South America, Marcum Conference Center, Ox- dating from about 3000 B.C. to the pres- ford, Ohio. The meeting is open ent. The installation is organized to il- to cultural and physical anthro- lustrate the diversity and continuity of pologists, archaeologists, lin- artistic traditions. It includes thematic guists, applied anthropologists, exhibitions such as “Enduring Heritage: and other interested scholars. It Arts of the Northwest Coast,” which fea- offers an excellent opportunity to SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN tures sculptural objects, and “Stories Re- present and discuss current ideas vealed: Writing without Words,” which and research in the field. Call emphasizes the universality of the in- Joyce Lucke (812) 376-6717, Smithsonian National Museum digenous pictorial tradition. (718) 638- www.iupui.edu/~csas 5000 (New long-term installation) of the American Indian 35th Annual Middle Atlantic George Gustav Heye Center, New York, N.Y.— Field Museum Archaeological Conference The new exhibit “George Catlin and His Indian Chicago, Ill.—“Treasures of the Americas: March 11–13, Atlantic Sands Gallery” includes more than 100 portraits, Selections from the Anthropological Col- Hotel and Conference Center, landscapes, and scenes of tribal life by the lections of the Field Museum” includes Rehoboth Beach, Del. Anyone lawyer turned painter. Catlin traveled thousands some objects that have rarely, if ever, interested in the archaeology of of miles from 1830 to 1836, following the trail been on public display. These magnifi- the Middle Atlantic area is wel- of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and visited cent objects, including an exquisitely come. The conference will fea- 50 tribes living west of the River crafted Ice Age spearpoint, and a buck- ture the latest information on a from present-day to Oklahoma. skin dress embellished with thousands of wide variety of archaeological The exhibition includes Native American beads, illustrate the diversity and sophis- sites ranging in time from the artifacts collected by the artist that have not tication of indigenous cultures across the earliest Paleo-Indian to those of been shown with the paintings in more than a Americas. (312) 922-9410, www.fieldmu- the 20th-century. www.maacmi- century. (212) 514-3700, www.nmai.si.edu seum.org (Through May 30) datlanticarchaeology.org (Through September 5)

Museum of Man San Diego, Calif.—A fascinating world of icy glaciers, snowy tundras, wooly mammoths, saber-toothed cats, Neanderthals, and Cro-Magnon people will be explored in the new exhibit “Frozen in Time: Life in the Pleistocene Ice Age,” a glimpse of life on earth more than 40,000 years ago. The exhibit explores how humans survived the extreme cold, how their cultural and social be- havior was affected by climate, and how artistic expression became part of their daily MUSEUM OF MAN lives. (619) 239-2001, www.museumofman.org (Opens March 5)

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Saint Louis Art Museum St. Louis, Mo.—Created by the Art Institute of Chicago, the traveling exhibition “Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South” explores the civilizations that flourished in the Ohio, Tennessee, and valleys between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 1600. Their settlements Events transformed the region into a complex political and economic network often linked by waterways. Some of these settlements, such as Cahokia, were the first major urban centers in North America. The exhibit includes some

300 masterworks of stone, ceramic, wood, shell, and copper. SAINT LOUIS ART MUSEUM Gallery talks with curator John Nunley will be held at 11 a.m. on March 22 and 6 p.m. on March 25. (314) 721-0072, www.slam.org (Through May 30)

Old Pueblo Archaeology Center 39th Annual Meeting of the Society 11th Anniversary Celebration for California Archaeology March 26, Old Pueblo Archaeol- April 21–24, Hyatt Regency Sacramento at ogy Center, Marana, Ariz. Old Capitol Park, Sacramento, Calif. Following a Pueblo will celebrate its 11th an- Thursday evening reception and free public niversary with guided tours of the lecture on prehistoric climate change in Cal- Yuma Wash archaeological site, ifornia, the 2005 meetings will begin with a Native American arts and crafts, Friday morning Plenary Session entitled Tohono O’odham food vendors, “Native American Influences on the Struc- artist demonstrations, children’s ture and Composition of Prehistoric Ecosys- activities, and live music. This free tems.” A Saturday night banquet will feature event benefits Old Pueblo’s a lecture by paleontologist Paul Koch of UC

Children’s Archaeology Educa- Santa Cruz on extinction of Pleistocene ARIZONA STATE MUSEUM tion Programs. (520) 798-1201, megafauna in North America. (530) 756- Arizona State Museum www.oldpueblo.org 3941, www.scahome.org/events/2005 The University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.—More than 60 spectacular 70th Annual Meeting of the Society American Rock Art Research Association textiles fill two galleries for the for American Archaeology Annual Conference exhibition “Navajo Weaving at Arizona March 30–April 3, Salt Palace Con- May 25–30, Reno/Sparks, Nevada. This State Museum: 19th-Century vention Center and the Salt Lake year’s conference will include rock art edu- Blankets, 20th-Century Rugs, 21st- City Marriott Downtown, Salt cation and conservation workshops for stu- Century Views.”Admired the world Lake City, Utah. This major con- dents, presentations about recent and on- over, Navajo textiles are among the ference features a wide variety of going rock art research, and field trips to most compelling of the native forums, symposia, workshops, local sites. (888) 668-0052, www.arara.org Southwest art forms. Beginning in poster presentations, and tours of the 19th century, the weaving of local archaeological sites. (202) Colorado’s Archaeology and Historic the Navajo people took on epic 789-8200, www.saa.org/meetings Preservation Month significance as representations of the Celebrate Colorado’s rich cultural and his- land, people, culture, and way of life. Firehawk Powwow at Moundville toric heritage at locations across the state Learn what significance the art form Archaeological Park throughout the month of May. This year’s still holds for the Navajo people April 8–10, Moundville Archaeo- theme is “Preserving Colorado’s Native Her- through the voices of 21st–century logical Park, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Inter- itage.” (303) 866-3395, www.coloradohis- weavers. In conjunction with the tribal dancing, storytelling, flute tory-oahp.org exhibit, join Navajo weavers, artists, playing, and demonstrations of collectors, leading scholars, various arts and crafts are fea- California Archaeology Month researchers, museum curators, and tured throughout the powwow. Lectures, workshops, tours, demonstra- others for “Navajo Weaving Now! Visitors can sample Native foods tions, and more events related to California A Symposium” at the museum and purchase one-of-a-kind hand- archaeology will be held throughout the April 14–17. (520) 621-6302, made items that represent the month of May at locations across the state. www.statemuseum.arizona.edu works of several different tribes. www.scahome.org/educational_resources/ (Through May 1) (205) 371-2234 index.html

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New Dating Technique in the Applied to Prehistoric Hawaiian Temple System

The results indicate rapid sociopolitical change. NEWS

esearchers working on the is- land of Maui in Hawaii have de- Rtermined that the shift in an- cient Hawaiian sociopolitical structure from a chiefdom to one headed by a divine king occurred in less than 60 years and possibly as few as 30. Uranium-thorium, a radiometric dating technique formerly used prima- rily in geological contexts, was used to analyze dedicatory offerings of coral that were found in temples. This tech- nique enabled researchers to pinpoint the dating of temple construction to between A.D. 1580 and 1640. “Earlier radiocarbon work showed a period of temple expansion, but it could not be narrowed down to less

P. V. KIRCH than 200 years,” said archaeologist Patrick Kirch of the University of Cali- This aerial photograph shows a large stone-walled temple in Kahikinui. Coral offerings on the temple fornia at Berkeley. “Warren Sharp has were dated to approximately A.D. 1580. refined the thorium dating technique, which is a lot more accurate and does According to oral traditions, this of the offering. The coral dates all not require calibration, showing the change in ideology coincided with came back within a range of about 60 imposition of a temple system oc- the merging of two Maui chiefdoms years, indicating the rapid rise of a rit- curred over a very short period of under the control of the leader Pi’i- ual control hierarchy. time.” Sharp, a geochemist at the lani, and it’s reflected in monumental “What we have found looks like Berkeley Geochronology Center in architecture such as temple systems. the archaeological signature of a king Berkeley, co-authored the study with While archaeologists knew that these who conquered the entire Island of Kirch, which appeared in the January changes in Hawaiian sociopolitical Maui, increasing his territory from issue of the journal Science. structure took place, they were un- about 500 to more than 2,000 square Oral traditions and early historical certain of the time during which the kilometers,” said Kirch. He thinks documents refer to a consolidation of changes occurred. that a similar process was taking power that occurred during the pro- Kirch and Sharp dated seven place across the channel on the tohistoric period. This involved the temples in the ancient district of larger island of Hawaii, and plans to emergence of a distinct class system Kahikinui on southeast Maui, and one date a series of temples located there with rulers considered the descen- temple at Kawela on Molokai Island. using the same method. “This dents of the gods, the replacement of Delicate surface structures known as demonstrates how quickly a sociopo- kinship-based control of land with a verrucae were still preserved on the litical system can change in the life- system of land tenure controlled by coral found in the temples, indicating time of one king,” he said, “going the divine king, agricultural intensifi- that the coral was harvested live. By from a simple chiefdom to a more cation, and the imposition of a system determining the coral’s age, they elaborate archaic state.” of tribute and forced labor. could therefore determine the date —Tamara Stewart

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in the Middle Archaic Site Found NEWS in Central Colorado Unusual residential site is 4,000 years old. rchaeologists working at a con- struction site south of Denver, A Colorado, have discovered an un- usual 4,000-year-old Middle Archaic resi- dential site. The archaeologists were conducting a cultural resources survey in advance of the construction of a reservoir near the town of Parker by the Parker Water and Sanitation District. Erik Gantt, an archaeologist with Centennial Archaeology, Inc., a contract firm hired to conduct the survey, said the crew discovered a McKean complex site. McKean is a “ubiquitous cultural complex on the between 5,000 to 3,000 years ago,” Gantt said. These residential sites, which date to the Middle Archaic period, are more often found in Wyoming. “To find some- thing this large in this region is pretty significant,” he said, noting that it’s the only McKean residential site discovered These points were recovered from the site. The two points in the top row are thought to be about in this area. 2,000 years old. The older McKean points are in the middle row. The bottom row consists of a The site was identified by the style Mallory point and a worked stone that was probably being fashioned into a pendant. of the majority of the projectile points found there. The site has yielded approximately 12 points. uncovered evidence of about six pithouses in the form of All but two of them are McKean style, which has a stem basin-shaped stains in the profile of the cut bank along the with an indented base. The other two points are thought edge of a nearby creek. He believes they were domed to be about 2,000 years old. structures that probably were covered with hide or brush. Gantt, who is directing the project, said his crew has “We’ve found hearths and internal storage features inside the houses,” he said. The 4,000-year-old age derives from two radiocarbon dates of charcoal associated with struc- ture fill and an external hearth. They’ve also found cutting and scraping , manos and metates, and bison re- mains. As they’ve excavated only one quarter of the site, Gantt was uncertain of the size of the residential area. “It’s definitely beginning to be village size,” he said. Gantt expects to find more animal remains as the ex- cavation continues. However, he noted that “bone preser- vation at the site is pretty terrible” due to the acidity of the soils and the freezing and thawing that occurs with sea- sonal change. Work at the site stopped in February due to changes in construction priorities, and it’s expected to resume in spring. Gantt said the entire site will probably be de-

stroyed during the construction of the reservoir. CENTENNIAL ARCHAEOLOGY, INC. Archaeologists have discovered a number of pithouses at this residential area. —Michael Bawaya

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DNA Test May Identify in the Jamestown Remains NEWS A high-ranking burial may be that of one of the colony’s leaders.

he remains of a high-ranking male colonist who was ceremo- T niously buried just outside the James Fort site at Jamestown, in Vir-

APVA ginia, appear to be those of Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, the principal This decorative staff, found along one edge of the coffin lid, was the most compelling evidence that promoter and a leader of the this was the burial of a high-ranking person. Jamestown Colony. A native of Suffolk, England, Gos- Archaeologists found the burial match DNA from the burial with mi- nold briefly explored and colonized under a pit filled with artifacts that tochondrial DNA from a descendent one of the Elizabeth Isles, and discov- date to the 1630s, which suggests from the maternal line of the Gos- ered and named Cape Cod and that the interment may be from the nold family to confirm his identity. Martha’s Vineyard. “If this is Gosnold, early years of the settlement. Douglas Only two candidates for a DNA then we’ve found the lost-to-history Owsley, a forensic osteologist at the match have been identified: Gos- burial of one of the most influential , concluded nold’s sister, Elizabeth Tilney, and his and moving spirits behind English- that the remains are those of a Euro- niece, Katherine Blackerb, both of American colonization, hence a pean male who died in his mid- to whom are believed to be buried be- founding father of modern America, late 30s. Based on this evidence, neath different churches in England. and one of that elite group of daring Kelso and his staff have narrowed the The Church of England agreed to English mariners of the Age of Explo- possible identity of the burial to three allow researchers to use ground-pen- ration,” said William Kelso, the direc- colonists, one of whom is Gosnold. etrating radar to search for their re- tor of archaeology at Jamestown. Archaeologists are hoping to mains. —Michael Bawaya Preservation Measure Defeated in Virginia Strong opposition kills -hunting legislation.

ue to intense opposition, a mittee. The other members of the because of a lack of funding. provision was stripped from a subcommittee also received similar The process “was a real eye D bill in the Virginia legislature correspondence. Some of the corre- opener to me,” Plum said, explain- that would have made it a criminal spondence claimed that Plum and his ing that he had been unaware of offense to hunt for artifacts on colleagues were trying to take away the popularity of artifact hunting in private property without the one of the public’s constitutional Virginia and didn’t anticipate the landowner’s written permission. rights. “They describe themselves as fierce opposition. The provision, which carried maxi- being relic hunters,” Plum said of the Plum and another legislator mum penalties of one year in prison people who opposed the bill. “There’s noted the lack of support for the and a fine of $1,000, also addressed no question that the wave of opposi- bill by the state’s archaeologists. artifact hunting on public lands. tion had its intended effect.” “There was support from the ar- The provision was stripped in a Stripped of this provision, the chaeological community,” coun- subcommittee in response to a bill, which also reestablishes the po- tered Barbara Heath, the president flurry of e-mails opposing the legis- sition of state archaeologist, passed of the Council of Virginia Archaeol- lation. “I would say I got 100 e-mails the legislature’s House of Delegates ogists, a professional organization. or so in opposition to the bill. Some and is being considered by the Sen- But Heath added that she was un- of them were real nasty,” said Dele- ate. Plum said the Senate is also likely certain if the support for the provi- gate Ken Plum, who tried to shep- to pass the bill. Virginia has had no sion measured against the opposi- herd the bill through the subcom- state archaeologist for several years tion it faced. —Sarah Tiberi

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in the NEWS Evidence Supports Tales of Aztec Sacrifice Excavations at Mexican sites are corroborating Spanish accounts of human offerings.

ecent excavations at 15th- and 16th-century Aztec sites in the Valley of Mexico are turning up Rdetails of Aztec sacrifice that appear to corrobo- rate early Spanish accounts and pictorial texts. Re- searchers have long thought that the Spanish docu- ments describing horrific and widespread Aztec sacrifice that included children and other innocents were exaggerated in order to justify Spanish treatment of native peoples. But evidence indicates such sacri- fices, which often consisted of a variety of brutal tech- niques that sometimes involved children, did occur. The , who established the city of Tenochtit- lan in A.D. 1325 and dominated the Valley of Mexico dur- ing the 15th and 16th centuries, were a warrior society that appeased their pantheon of gods through , among other offerings. Aztec mural paintings, carvings, and pictorial texts and Spanish accounts de- scribe Aztec priests decapitating or cutting out the AP / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND ANTHROPOLOGY hearts of their victims. Other depicted forms of sacrifi- Archaeologists excavating an Aztec settlement have found physical evidence, cial death include being stoned, crushed, skinned, such as these ceramics, to support the accounts of gory sacrifices. clawed, buried, or sliced to death, as well as being tossed from the tops of temples. Although many re- During an archaeological salvage project undertaken last searchers have argued that sacrifice was largely con- year in Rancho el Terremote, Cuautitlán, INAH archaeologist fined to captured warriors, children were frequently de- Inés Carranza Solano discovered a round crematory pit con- picted as victims. It’s thought that children were chosen taining the burned remains of several adults along with frag- because of their purity. ments of Tlaloc effigy vessels, indicating the individuals were This past winter, a burial pit containing the burned sacrificed as offerings to the Aztec god of rain and fertility. At skeletal remains of eight children was discovered at the the Templo Major, the ceremonial quarter in the middle of Aztec community of Ecatepec just north of Mexico City. the sacred precinct of Tenochtitlan, chemical analyses of the Sacrifices depicted in the Magliabecchi codex, an early stucco floors have shown that they were soaked with blood 17th-century Indian pictorial text, show victims being in prehistoric times. burned alive, as well as human body parts being stuffed While recent archaeological evidence appears to corrob- into cooking dishes while people eat and the god of orate the occurrence and methods of Aztec sacrifice, many death looks on. Archaeologists with Mexico’s National researchers still feel that early Spanish conquerors and Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have re- chroniclers exaggerated the numbers of sacrificial victims, covered cooking dishes identical to those depicted in claiming tens of thousands to have been killed to honor one the codex adjacent to human skeletons and disarticu- event. Discovery of sacrificial victims is accelerating, how- lated human bones with suspicious striations that may ever, and it is becoming apparent that early accounts and im- indicate cannibalism. ages were at least partially accurate. —Tamara Stewart

10 spring • 2005 AA Spring 05 pg C1-12 B 2/15/05 8:07 PM Page 11

Prehistoric Mogollon in the Village Rediscovered NEWS Epley’s Ruin offers a glimpse of southeastern Arizona’s .

irst discovered in 1897 by archaeologists Jesse Walter Fewkes and Walter Hough, Epley’s Ruin has been re- Fdiscovered along U.S. Highway 70 in southeast Ari- zona near Safford. Fewkes and Hough found a large adobe ruin with numerous house mounds and a possible ballcourt and along the Gila River. The site, estimated to be some 200 acres, was considered lost to the Safford Basin’s residential and agricultural activity. But routine archaeological clearance and subsequent sal- vage excavations along the roadway for the planned in- stallation of fiber optic cables uncovered the site’s re- mains last year. Epley’s prehistoric components date between A.D. 1000 and 1300. Later historic artifacts and features discov- ered at the site date primarily to the early 20th century. Considered to be Mogollon, but with clear influences from neighboring Hohokam peoples, the site contains two dis- tinct prehistoric residential areas. An 11th-century, possi- bly seasonal, habitation consisting of several shallow pit- houses, storage pits, and irrigation canals was found in the western portion of the site. In the eastern portion a 14th- century adobe-and-cobble roomblock, several midden areas, one pithouse, six borrow pits, 18 other pits, three small irrigation canals, and eight burials were identified, one of which was a cremation.

STEVEN DITSCHLER “This site is very significant to the archaeology of the Safford Basin,” said CaraMia Williams, project crew chief This roomblock contains five rooms. A large number of ornamental with Tierra Right-of-way Services, the Tucson-based com- artifacts, such as turquoise mosaic tiles, were found in one of the rooms. pany that was hired to undertake the archaeological clear- ance. “Archaeological work within the region has been lim- ited, and little is known about the prehistoric community. “The Safford Basin was somewhat of a crossroads at Although this excavation was only a sample of the site, it is this time in prehistory,” said Fred Huntington, archaeo- going to provide new information on the settlement sys- logical project manager for Tierra. “There are influences tem, technology, economy, and overall social organization from the Hohokam, Mountain Mogollon, and Mimbres of the area.” Mogollon.” Five adobe rooms were excavated within the The site’s proximity to the Gila River and its Mogollon roomblock, all of which demonstrated signs of remodel- affiliation indicate an affinity with the Gila River Indian ing and appear to have been in use for a considerable pe- Community, which has already accepted several of the riod of time. One of the rooms contained a large number human remains and associated artifacts. Fieldwork was of ornamental artifacts, including 20 small turquoise mo- completed in January, and researchers are now focusing saic tiles, a stone pendant, a shell bracelet fragment, a on artifact analysis, including radiocarbon dating and lithic stone bead, and a shell bead, indicating some degree of material sourcing. All recovered artifacts will be curated at interaction with more distant cultures. the Arizona State Museum. —Tamara Stewart

american archaeology 11 Maya 12-18 2/22/05 7:47 PM Page 12

By David Malakoff ISTOCKPHOTO

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D. AND A. CHASE, CARACOL ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT american archaeology E Between city-states.complex, fragmentedculturerifewithwarring catastrophe. a unitedempirethatwaspushedintotheabyssbysingle presumption oftheMayaasapeace-lovingpeoplelivingin about thelostcivilization.Thefindingshaveshattered manyoncecherishednotions glyphs thatundermines toancientpollengrainsandtranslated stone structures fragmentsand amassed evidencerangingfrompottery ever. Overthelastfewdecades,archaeologistshave solutiontothecollapsewillbedisappointed,how- isfying loverslookingforaneat,sat- drought anddisease.Mystery ous factorsrangingfromwarandpoliticalinstabilityto cipherable inscriptions. andinde- leavingbehindruins them, seeminglyovernight, not a story everyone wantstohear.” everyone not astory who hasspent30yearsexcavatingMayasites.“Butthat’s Webster, anarchaeologistatPennsylvania StateUniversity, terious, theyarejustvery, complicated,”saysDavid very ing intheregion. tirely issurelynewstothemillionsofdescendentsstillliv- And thepopularperceptionthatMayadisappeareden- tonewwaysoflife. stead takingseveralcenturiestoshift ments withered.Othersneverreally“collapsed”atall,in- single calamity. Butsomeflourishedevenasnearbysettle- succumbed toacombinationofproblems,ratherthan stone monumentsaslate Caracol’s residentswere carving inBelize. atCaracol, the lateststructures thelargest andoneof This stuccomaskisfound onthesummitofCaana, can archaeologist,oncecalledthe“MayaMystique.”This of whatthelateGordonWilley, an influentialMesoameri- persistence accepted, archaeologistspointtothestubborn To understandwhythisviewofthe Mayaisn’tuniversally BIRTH OFTHEMAYA MYSTIQUE of time,andthatsomecitiesnevercollapsed. mysterious, thattheyoccurred overanextendedperiod that thecausesoftheirdownfallare more complexthan during ashortperiodoftime.Recentresearch indicates most accomplishedancientcultures, mysteriouslycollapsed For yearsarchaeologists believedthattheMaya,oneof In its place, scholars are painting a new portrait ofa In itsplace,scholarsarepaintinganewportrait Researchers haveattributedtheMayacollapsetovari- “It’s turning outthattheMayaaren’tnecessarilymys- “It’s turning A majestic monuments—andthenabandoned to theancientMaya,whocenturiesagobuilt last 150yearsasthequestionofwhathappened hassodelightedarchaeologybuffsforthe tery lovesamystery.veryone Andperhapsnomys- . D 750and950,manyofthesecommunities . A . D 859. . building sometime in the ninth century building sometimeintheninthcentury collapse, whichwasmarked bytheendofmonument squares wereusedonlyforreligiouspurposes.Andthe peaceful, agrarianpeoplewhosepyramidsandcentral wisdom wentsomethinglike this:theMayawere rather sions. Althoughthereweredissenters,theconventional atafewkeygists interpretingthesefindsarrived conclu- known asstelae,andsacredtexts. broken , stoneslabsandpillars rowsoftall,carved Chiapas, andTikal inGuatemala.Theyfoundmoundsof settlements atChichénItzáintheYucatán, Palenque in cavations andmarked dozensofnewsites,includingmajor down toGuatemala,Honduras,andBelize.Theybeganex- region, whichstretchesfromMexico’sYucatán Peninsula and MisleadsthePublic. Fantasies: HowPseudoarchaeology MisrepresentsthePast ster writesinanupcomingbookofessays, indangerous,exoticlocales,Web-hear talesofdiscovery eral generationsofMayascholarsandapubliceagerto penetrable mystery.” Allwasmystery,age, orwhatcausedherdestruction.... im- she came,towhombelonged,howlongonhervoy- name effaced,hercrewperished,andnonetotellwhence tered barkinthemidstofocean,hermastsgone, saw: “Thecitywasdesolate...Itlaybeforeuslike ashat- in CentralAmerica duras. Inanow-famouspassageofhisIncidentsTravel Hon- ofCopán,inwestern dence.” ItwastheMayaruin thananydiplomaticcorrespon- esting tohiscountrymen did “discoversomethingwhichwouldprovemoreinter- which henevercouldfind,”afriendlaterwrote.But towhichhewasaccredited,and ing forthegovernment inGuatemalaandpromptlybegan“look- Stephens arrived to be“specialambassadorCentralAmerica”in1839. John LloydStephens,anAmericanlawyerandadventurer, for decadesandstillholdsswayinsomequarters. mystique isasetofbeliefsthatdominatedMayastudies for roughly3,000yearsofMaya history, dividing itinto caused byapeasantrevolt,or perhapsaninvasion. By the1950s,asmallcliqueofinfluentialarchaeolo- Over thenextcentury, explorerspouredintotheMaya sev- bestsellerthatinformed The bookwasarunaway VanIt beganwhenPresidentMartin Burenappointed These researchersalsohelped fine-tunethetimeline (1841), Stephensdescribedwhathe A . D Archaeological ., wasprobably 13 Maya 12-18 2/15/05 8:32 PM Page 14

It’s now thought that the collapse of Maya cities occurred at different times in different places for different reasons, such as the amount of rainfall. The southern lowlands were the focal point of the collapse. Cities in the northern lowlands generally survived. The collapse dates given for some of the cities on this map are based on their latest dated monuments or . CHARLOTTE HILL-COBB

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VICKI MARIE SINGER american archaeology begin toappear;theClassic,from h bevtr tCihnIz,i eio sse ee Thecity’s residentswere publicbuildings after stillconstructing isseenhere. inMexico, atChichén Itzá, The observatory theystoppedbuildingmonuments. from Mayacitiesafter ventional wisdom,peopledidn’tnecessarilydisappear tothecon- at anumberofsitessuggestedthat,contrary engaged incombat. myth ofthepeacefulMaya,showingthattheysometimes andweapons,alsohelpedlaytorestthe fortifications ofobvious Theglyphs,andthediscovery and theircourts. the richlyappointedpalacesandprecinctsofMayakings andsquaresas came torecognizethemassivestructures Maya builtvacant,ceremonialcenters.Archaeologists phering Mayawritingshelpeddiscredittheideathat lenging theacceptedchronology. Breakthroughsindeci- of researcherswasdismantlingthemystiqueandchal- By the1960sandearly1970s,however, anewgeneration NEW THINKING 2000 three periods:thePre-Classic,whichspannedfromabout to 950, during which the collapse occurred. to 950,duringwhichthecollapseoccurred. criteria tocreateaTerminal Classicperiod,fromabout830 chronology, stylesandother usingdifferencesinpottery refinedthe rived. Subsequentlyarchaeologistsfurther Post-Classic, from950to1500,whenSpanishexplorersar- which themonumentbuildingreacheditspeak;and Meanwhile, increasinglysophisticatedinvestigations B . C . toabout A . D 250,whenthefirstmonuments . A . D 250to950,during . 3.4 millionpeoplelivedintheMayalowlands Rice,andDonRiceconcludethat2.6millionto Prudence and Transformation, Collapse,Transition,nal ClassicintheMayaLowlands: time, Mayapopulationsdeclined.Inthebook troversy. Butthereisnearlyuniversalagreementthat,over trade. Theseestimates,however, remainasourceofcon- into howmuchfoodtheMayacouldproduce,store,and searchers refinepopulationestimatesbyprovidinginsight tants didn’terectmassivemonumentalarchitecture. theworkintooutlyingareaswhereinhabi- has carried Webster writes.Anewergenerationofscholars,hesays, other greatbuildingsattheepicentersofmajorsites,” sweatbaths,and tombs,ballcourts, temples, observatories, systematic Mayaarchaeologyconsistedofthestudy gists say. “For allpracticalpurposes,thefirst70yearsof the Mayaeliteslived,andignoredsuburbs,archaeolo- ulations becausetheyfocusedontheurbancenterswhere have beenworkingatCaracolsincethe1980s. of CentralFloridainOrlando.Chaseandhiswife,Diane, the city,” saysarchaeologistArlenChaseoftheUniversity at least40or50yearsbeforethepeoplebegintoabandon side theurbancenterssuggeststhat“thestelaedisappear At out- Caracol,inBelize,thepresenceofceramicartifacts The investigationsoftheoutlyingareasarehelpingre- missedtheseremainingpop- Earlier researchersoften archaeologists Arthur Demarest, archaeologists Arthur A . D 1000. . The Termi- A . D 800. . 15 Maya 12-18 2/15/05 8:33 PM Page 16

The Palace from the Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque, in Mexico. The last known date on a monument or building in Palenque is A.D. 799.

By A.D.1000, however, they estimate that number had period. But monument building continued at other sites dropped to just one million. “Call it a collapse or what you during this time. Caracol’s inhabitants, for instance, carved want, but obviously something was going on,” says Chase. stone monuments as late as A.D. 859, according to the Chases. In Tikal, the workers wouldn’t lay down their tools THE EMERGING for another 10 years. Northern cities such as Uxmal actu- COMPLEXITY OF COLLAPSE ally begin to blossom then, erecting new monuments and What, exactly, that “something” was remains a source of for a booming population. lively debate. Archaeologists say the end of monument Similarly, signs of final abandonment vary from place building marks a major shakeup in the Maya elite—proba- to place. Some settlements show no signs of life—such as bly the fall of some dominant political culture. But virtually pots, fire pits, or trash heaps—after the mid- to late 800s. all archaeologists now reject the idea that the entire cul- Others still had sizable populations when the Spanish ex- ture rapidly collapsed at about the same time and in the plorers arrived. A few are even inhabited by indigenous same way, due to one or a few main causes. Instead, they people when archaeologists arrive in the late 19th cen- say that each Maya site offers its own complex story of de- tury. It is difficult to envision a single mechanism—such cline and abandonment, and some appear to have flour- as drought, invasion, or revolt—that could explain such ished for decades or centuries even while neighboring set- variation, says Prudence Rice, of Southern Illinois Univer- tlements wilted. sity Carbondale. “You can’t paint the Maya lowlands of Archaeological evidence suggests that the inhabitants A.D. 700 to A.D. 1100 with a broad brush; there are too of the southern lowland settlements of Quiriga and many different things going on at the same time over too Naranjo in Guatemala, carved their last stone monument big an area,” she says. around A.D. 810. The last monuments that have been But archaeologists are recognizing some common

found at other southern lowland sites are of a similar time threads in the Maya decline. One is war. “In parts of the BRUCE T. MARTIN

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JOHN MONTGOMERY american archaeology the early In evidence ofjustsuchashift. Berkeley,of California, hasfound JoyceoftheUniversity Rosemary a projectledbyHendersonand miles eastofCopáninHonduras, River Valley, whichliesabout100 University. InthelowerUlua gist JohnHendersonofCornell cure settlements,saysarchaeolo- tions tofleestronger, morese- violence promptedsomepopula- ent politicalsystem. against thosewhofavoredadiffer- for religious differences.Divinekings, Others,however,experts. favorculturalor resources, suchasstone,water, orland,arguesome large urbanpopulations. tosustain maintain theagricultureandtradenecessary have weakened Mayaelites,andmadeitimpossibleto violentend.Suchfightingmay child thathintatthecity’s buildingsandthebodyofanunburied have foundburned nobody wassecure,”saysWebster. At Caracol,theChases lowlands, theviolencegotsooutofhandthatprobably collapse wouldnothavehad amajorrippleeffecttothe among thesecultures,andit’s hardtoseehowTeotihuacán’s around600.Therewerealotofinterconnections apart huacán (nearwhatisnowMexicoCity),forinstance,“comes west inMesoamerica,”hesays.TheancientcityofTeoti- centuriesearlierfurther larger dominoeffectthatstarted a of end nearthe lieves. “IseetheMayaworldcomingapart origins farearlier, faroutsidetheMayarealm,Hendersonbe- mayhavehadtheir such shifts fense,” hesays. tion chosenwithaneyetode- tifications, “itisclearlyaloca- team hasfoundnoobviousfor- dle ofthevalley. Althoughthe an elevatedhilltopinthemid- whichsitson the townofCerro, places.” Oneofthoseplaceswas pear toreaggregateinfewer he says.“Theymoveon,andap- doesn’t necessarilydisappear, Maya lowlands.” asthe much thesametrajectory 800, theydisappear. It’spretty out alongthevalley. Butcome dreds ofsmallvillagesspread says, “youseedozens,evenhun- instance, mayhavebeenpitted Whatever therootcause, But whatweretheyfightingover?Sometimesitwas The tensionsthatproduced population But thevalley’s A . D 700s,Henderson . ouet rdcdb h aa Itsdedicationdateis monuments producedbytheMaya. isamongthelastknown inGuatemala, Stela 10atSeibal, tainly populationpressure,accordingtoWebster. Growing help—from distantallies. by callinginchips—suchasextrafood,labor, ormilitary prevented leadersfromavoidingdownfallintimesoftrouble One scenario,hesays,isthattheslowlyspreadingproblems the elevationofkingsalliedwithTeotihuacán around east.” MonumentsinTikal andCopán,forinstance,record in the journal in thejournal to make localdroughts worse,Shawnotesina2003paper Deforestationtends College oftheRedwoodsinCalifornia. their localforests,arguesarchaeologistJustineShawofthe One explanationmaybehowwelltheMayatookcareof weather, whileothersinthemorehumidsouthwerenot. wereabletowithstandthechangein north, dryer plain whysomecities,especiallythoseinthehistorically Another factorintheMayacollapsewasalmostcer- populations exacerbatedtheagriculturalchallenges of plantdiseasesandinsects.Studies Ancient pollen andsiltatthebottomofre- A . D 849. . gion’s lakes showtheMayaalsodefor- ested someoftheirlands.Evidence of forestclearingisseeninthelay- ers oflake siltladenwithtree pollen thatarecoveredbylayers laden withpollenfromcrop plants andassociatedweeds. The thicklayersofsiltlikely re- sulted fromthemassivetop soil erosionthatcanfollow deforestation andfarming. “When Ihearpeoplesaythe “When Maya weremastersofsus- tainable agriculture,Ijust laugh,” hesays. played arole,especially be usedtoestimaterainfall. given thatMayacitiesoften lacked easyaccesstowater. For years,paleoclimatolo- gists havearguedthatthe collapse coincidedwithan unusually dry periodinthe unusually dry region. Thedroughtsce- nario drawsonseverallines of evidence,suchascom- puter modelsthatsuggest that theunusuallycool temperatures ofthattime would haveledtoreduced rainfall, andsediment fossil samplesfromthere- gion’s lakes, whichcontain chemical isotopesthatcan Drought probablyalso But it’sdifficulttoex- , sincetreesoffer A . D 400. . 17 Maya 12-182/15/058:34PMPage18 18 approximately This incensariofromCaracoldatesto the Terminal Classicperiod, rainfall. SoMayaregionswithgreaterdeforestationmay shade, holdmoistureintheground,andevenpromote who reignedfrom kingofthe Copándynasty, the first left), ofthealtarshows Thisportion Yax-K'uk'-Mo' (center, which islocatedinHonduras. Copán, andnamesof16kingswho ruled Altar Qshows theportraits A . D 3–5,duringwhich many citiescollapsed. 830–950, . A . D 2–3,adYxPsh(etr ih) h atgetkn fCpn who reignedfrom thelastgreatkingofCopán, right), and Yax Pasah (center, 426–437, . in theSpring2004issueof appeared Hisarticle “The Vestiges Slavery” ofNorthern D.C. in Washington, MALAKOFF DAVID well-removed intime.” processes—and thefrissonofagoodhumancatastrophe public prefersimpleanswerstocomplexhistorical persist untiltheendbecausebotharchaeologistsand ofMayaarchaeology,”birth hewrites.“And itwillprobably by theMayamystery. “waspresentatthe Themystery someofthemosthallowedmythsgenerated to overturn both fundersandthepublic,evenastheyusemoney archaeologists stillcountonittosustaintheinterestof toMayastudies,Websterword “mystery” saysmanyother more sophisticated.” the ClassictoPost-Classic transitionisbecomingmuch may notagreeontheanswers,butwholediscussionof Rice.“Peoplepoints inoppositedirections,”saysPrudence thatoften working tointegrateallofthisinformation tain theywon’tbethelastwordonsubject.“We’re still cline, callingthem“thelatestfad.”AndtheRicesarecer- reasonforthede- drought-related theoriesastheprimary Soon,theendwasnear.and displacingfarmers.” theagriculturalcycle gravated thesituationbydisrupting longer available.Warfare aimedatsolvingtheproblemag- elitesandfull-timespecialistswasno needed tosupport guarantee sufficientrainfall.Thesurplusproduction cultural dominoeffect:“Divinekingsbecameunableto a have beenthehardesthit,Shawsays,possiblystarting And whileDonRicesayshehatesconnectingthe Webster, forone,doesn’tputmuchstockinsuch is an editor and correspondent withNationalPublicRadio is aneditorandcorrespondent mrcnArchaeology American . spring •2005 A . D 763–820. .

D. AND A. CHASE, CARACOL ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT BRUCE T. MARTIN Moundville P 19-25 2/15/05 8:56 PM Page 19 New Revelations at Moundville

Researchers have extracted new information about this community’s elites from Mound Q (shown here), as well as from other mounds. Recent research at this well-known Mississippian town is providing a picture of its rise and fall and the varying behavior of its elites.

By Mike Toner

ohn Blitz peers intently at the potsherds in his tell my students it’s not what you find, but what you find hand. One is an undistinguished piece of reddish out,” Blitz says. “And these two types of pottery are quite clay, the other a fragment of dark gray ceramic. To informative because they bridge two cultures.” most people they are merely broken bits of ancient “Look at this,” he says, thrusting the sherds under a J pots. To Blitz, they confirm that, nearly a thousand magnifying glass. “This one, the one with reddish bits of years ago, two very different cultures met and mingled in fired clay, is what the Woodland people used to strengthen eastern Alabama along one of prehistoric America’s most their pots for use on open fires. The gray one is tempered important cultural divides. with little bits of mussel shell. That’s a later technique, def-

VERNON JAMES KNIGHT “These artifacts aren’t particularly fancy, but I like to initely from early Moundville.”

american archaeology 19 Moundville P19-252/15/058:57PMPage20 20 erected between perimeter,mound predatedthefortified whichwas tion ofthepostholesonmounditselfmeansthat isade thatonceencircledMoundville.Thesuperimposi- mound, theyhavefoundalineofpostmoldsfromthepal- 24th mounddiscoveredatthesite.Embeddedin south ofTuscaloosa. Thelow, grassyriseisMoundX,the abama’s MoundvilleArchaeologicalPark, whichislocated has beenexcavatingaclearingneartheentrancetoAl- h atenk iki h etkonatfc on tMudil.Recentanalysisofitsstoneandiconographic stylehave shown thatbothwere locallyproduced. foundThe rattlesnake diskisthebest-knownatMoundville. artifact By samplingMoundXandothersitesontheperiph- For weeks,Blitz’sUniversityofAlabamafieldschool A . D . 1200and1250. supported byaneconomyofmaize,beans,squashand supported large-scale agriculture.For 500years,thesemoundcities, the Southeastathousandyearsagowithadventof prime exampleoftheindigenouscity-states thatarosein the largestintactMississippiansitesincountry—a chiefdoms. stratification socharacteristicofMoundvilleandother midden depositsthatreflectthebeginningsofsocial of emergingMississippianculture—arecordtoolsand ofMoundville,Blitzhopestopiecetogetherapicture ery The 340-acreparksouthofTuscaloosa protectsoneof spring •2005

MOUNDVILLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK Moundville P 19-25 2/23/05 4:01 PM Page 21 © RICHARD ALEXANDER COOKE III

Moundville’s two largest mounds, B (foreground) and A (center), stand out in the aerial photograph. Moundville has been investigated since the 1860s and consequently it’s better understood than many other Mississippian centers.

other crops, dominated the cultural landscape of the re- Knight, who has spent much of his career studying gion. The remnants of these cities are among the most Moundville, says the old view of Mississippian cities being complex archaeological sites in Eastern North America ruled by a monolithic elite that controlled a community’s today, and despite more than a century of investigations at land, labor, trade, crafts, and rituals may be a conceptual Moundville, surprises continue to unfold. “crutch that glosses over complex and variable social reali- Recent studies by archaeologist Vernon James Knight ties.” Moundville, he says, changed markedly over time. And of the University of Alabama anthropology department, the elites who presided over it engaged in surprisingly di- and by University of North Carolina archaeologist Vincas verse activities that appear to have varied from mound to Steponaitis, have not only provided new insights into the mound. “Past studies looked at some of the differences be- rise and fall of Moundville itself but also altered some tween chiefs and commoners, but the more closely we look long-held notions about the people who once ruled it. at the elites themselves, the more differentiation we see.” Until recently, Mississippian life was viewed through Knight was surprised to discover during recent excava- the lens of earlier archaeological investigations that empha- tions at Mound Q, a modest mound at the edge of the sized burials, burial goods, and the kinds of artifacts found city’s central plaza, that it was not the temple or shrine he in museum showcases; material that painted Mississippian had been expecting. Instead, he found the outlines of life with broad brush strokes. Knight and Steponaitis have “modest, multiple, permanent structures” and simple pits focused on many of the details that others passed over— for storing food, but no evidence of periodic feasting. Al- microscopic bits of bone and cornhusks in the ancient mid- though there were clear signs that the occupants enjoyed dens, flakes of paint, and tiny fragments of copper. Aided by elite status—middens yielded evidence of choice cuts of tools unavailable to earlier investigators—from computers meat, and lots of passenger pigeon bones, a Mississippian to analyze the distribution of recovered artifacts to ground elite delicacy—the mound had a decidedly lived-in look. penetrating radar to map the foundations of long-vanished He found the mound’s middens “densely packed with structures—they have documented details of Mississippian debris carrying the strong flavor of domestic routine”— life that would have been impossible at less preserved sites. utilitarian cookware, animal bones and seeds that he says

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reflect a widely varied diet. Paint palettes, This point of quartz crystal was recovered sandstone saws, flakes of worked stone, and during excavations in Mound V. fish bone needles that appear to have been used for tattooing, show the occupants of Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s—are housed at Mound Q were also heavily engaged in craft- the Erskine Ramsey Archaeological Repository at the work, with much of the material imported Moundville site. from hundreds miles away. Fragments of “Moundville has incredible stylistic diversity crushed human skulls, feet and hands, sug- of artifacts,” says Steponaitis. Some of these ar- gest that they may have displayed skulls or tifacts were produced at Moundville, others other bones, but Knight found no indication were obtained from other regions via of sacrifices. trade. Moundville was part of an active The increasingly detailed understanding of trade network that extended from Moundville’s history that Knight, Steponaitis, the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. Blitz, and other researchers have gleaned is Steponaitis has analyzed items from possible, in part, because most of the archaeol- these collections in an attempt to identify a ogists who conducted Moundville’s early inves- “coherent regional style.” Identifying this style—a tigations published their findings, and cata- process that consists of an analysis of the iconography as loged and preserved what they collected. Such a well as the materials from which the artifacts were scientific approach was unusual at that time. crafted—will help him and other researchers determine Artifacts excavated from the major mounds by the fa- which artifacts were made at Moundville, and that in turn mous archaeologist C. B. Moore in 1905, back when the speaks to the question of the activities of the elites. site was still part of a cotton plantation, now reside with Excavations at Mound G, on the opposite side of the the Museum of the American Indian. In addition to other city’s plaza from Mound Q, suggest differences between small collections at the Smithsonian Institution and the Al- the two mounds’ inhabitants. Mound G was higher. Its res- abama Museum of Natural History, more than 600,000 arti- idents dined on exceedingly rare dishes like shark, pere- facts—and 2,100 sets of human remains excavated by the grine falcon, and bison. Analysis of their faunal remains VERNON JAMES KNIGHT University of Alabama field school students record trench profiles at Mound Q. The mound underwent several stages of construction, and some evidence of these stages can be seen in the trench walls.

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VERNON JAMES KNIGHT JOHN BLITZ american archaeology arrayed inavastarcaroundcentralplaza.The pyramids arrayed orderly layoutofthesite’sflat-topped mounds,truncated plain.Fromthe surrounding thesummit,onecansee ,Mound B,towers58feetabove largest earthen soils,abundantwater,fertile andlonggrowing season.The cause ofthearea’sresources—theBlackWarrior valley’s and itsultimatedemise. risetoglory,tracing thecity’s mid-lifetransition, anabrupt in iconographytopiecetogethera500-yearchronology have usedradiocarbondates,ceramicstyles,andchanges time. Buildingontheworkofearlierinvestigators,they worked todocumentthechangesinMoundville through both sidesoftheplazatoSouth,”saysSteponaitis. the ranksdecreasedprogressivelyasonemovedalong edgeoftheplaza,and were situatedalongthenorthern inhisorherplace.“Thehighestrankingclans everyone plan basedonasocialorderofclansthat,ineffect,put the entirecitywasbuiltasasociogram—anarchitectural had adistinctcharacter. HeandSteponaitisbelievethat that eachofMoundville’s24mounds,andtheiroccupants, lower classes. more reclusiveandlessinvolvedininteractionswiththe the evidence,Knightbelievesthisgroupofeliteswas work thattheirneighborsonMoundQengagedin.From waste. Theirdebrisincludedlittleevidenceofthecraft- bones oftheirgame,MoundG’selitesweregivento show that,unlike lessereliteswhoconsumedallbutthe w eerhr s rudpntaigrdrt a h iesoso on .Gaimty nte yeo eoesnig was used. also anothertypeofremotesensing, Gradiometry, Two useground-penetratingradartomap thedimensionsofMoundX. researchers Like otherchiefdoms,Moundvillerosewhereitdid be- Over thelastdecade,KnightandSteponaitishavealso excavationswillshow Knight isconvincedthatfurther Vernon James ofthefloorMoundQ. Knight(right)reviewsfieldrecords ever100feet. platforms long woodenpalisadewithsentry Moundville’s heyday, thecitywasprotectedbyathree-mile- plaza coversanarealargerthanadozenfootballfields.In 23 Moundville P19-252/15/058:59PMPage24 24 onvlePae circa Moundville Phase, datingtotheEarly andthatit’s thecommunity’s oldestmound, The investigation confirmedthatitwas infactmanmade, product ofmanornature. astowhether therewas thislow risewas uncertainty the Thoughitwas asamound, previouslyrecorded of University atMoundX. Alabama studentswork and earlydevelopment ofMoundvilleledhimtoinvestigate MoundX. John Blitz’s interestinthecircumstancesthatengendered thefounding A . D .1150–1250. .. lis, a giant cemetery controlledbytheeliteswholivedon lis, agiantcemetery Mississippian chiefdomintowhatwasessentiallyanecropo- largely avacantceremonialcenter. mounds duringthatperiodsuggestsMoundvillewas onthe extensive radiocarbondatingofburialsandartifacts palisade wasdismantledandneverrebuilt.Knightsaysthe cause ofpestilence.At aboutthesametime,defensive burials withinthecitysoared—butnot,apparently, be- shrink. Asthenumberofresidentsdwindled,however, villages grewrapidlyandMoundville’spopulationbeganto ical ends,”saysSteponaitis. wealth thatcouldbemobilizedandmanipulatedforpolit- denser concentrationsofpeople,andcreatedasource enabled economy amelioratedlocalfoodshortages, smoke fromcookingfires.” babies,barkingdogs,and town, completewithcrying movedinside.By1250,thiswasareal was up,everybody it andtheywillcome.Andcame.Oncethepalisade were builtwithinagenerationorso.Itwascaseofbuild “We knowfromextensivedatingthatallofthemounds was theriver. side The wallshieldedthetownonthreesides.fourth “All ofasudden,poof, fromaclassic itwastransformed After 1250,however, thingsbegantochange.Outlying The citygrewswiftly. toanagricultural “Theshift “This wasclearlyaplannedcommunity,” saysKnight. spring •2005

JOHN BLITZ LISA J. LECOUNT Moundville P 19-25 2/15/05 9:00 PM Page 25

top of the mounds,” says Knight. From a city of a few thou- sand, Moundville’s population dwindled to perhaps 300. No other necropolis has been identified in a Missis- sippian city, consequently Knight was initially hesitant to use the term, which invokes images of Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. But he says the thousands of burials during that period, in contrast to the dwindling population reflected in dates from mound middens, makes the conclusion hard to avoid. “The people who ruled Moundville during this period were essentially funeral directors,” he says. “And based on the number of burials we see from this period, they seem to have convinced everyone in the valley that they needed a burial at Moundville to start their journey into the afterlife.” Abrupt changes in the art of the time, which was sud-

VERNON JAMES KNIGHT denly rife with themes of the afterlife, suggest that Moundville was now ruled by elites who extracted tribute This incised pottery vessel was found while excavating the in in return for burials on now sacred ground. The art con- Mound V. Moundville’s artifacts have a wide range of styles. tains themes of knotted snakes, eagle-like raptors, a spit- ting crested bird, winged serpents, and a curious upraised living on them. De Soto and his men came through the hand with a single eye in the center of the palm. Recent area in the 1540s, but never mentioned Moundville or studies of Mississippian iconography suggest such images hinted there was a major center here.” are related to the path of souls after death. These themes “It’s a pretty common pattern all through history,” are still invoked today in the oral traditions of some Native says University of Tennessee archaeologist David Ander- Americans. son, a specialist in Mississippian mound sites. “They have By 1350, however, Moundville was failing even as a a few good years, a few bad years, and then a few more necropolis. “During this period, we see an increase in buri- bad years and they fall apart. They rarely last more than a als outside the city, so apparently a lot of people weren’t few centuries.” playing the elites’ game anymore,” Knight says. “By 1400, Though Moundville was in decline by the early 15th the lights were going out. Many mounds at the site were century, some work was still being done there. In 2001, totally abandoned, and by 1450 only a handful had anyone Knight used a gradiometer, an instrument that senses sub- tle variations in soil density, to map the outlines of a sunken 50-foot-square earth lodge at Mound V, one of the several mounds he’s worked at. This is the only earth lodge found and it’s one of the most recent structures dis- covered at Moundville, dating to the early 1400s. It has a tunnel entrance and is thought to have served as a council house. “It was so big that we would never be able to exca- vate all of it, but remote sensing enabled us to map the en- tire structure,” he says. “We’ve made a lot of progress in our understanding of Moundville in recent years, but we still have a long ways to go,” says Steponaitis. “The collections we have will con- tinue to be analyzed and then, of course, there are still things to be learned from the site itself.” “It’s amazing,” agrees Blitz, watching his field crew scraping away the soil of Mound X in search of Moundville’s beginnings. “Despite extensive excavations here for over a century, much of this site is still completely unexplored.”

MIKE TONER is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer for the Atlanta Jour-

JIM WALKER nal and Constitution. His series on threats to archaeological resources, Vincas Steponaitis has been analyzing collections from Moundville to identify “Past in Peril,” won the Society for American Archaeology’s Gene S. Stewart the iconography as well as the material from which the artifacts were made. Award in 2001.

american archaeology 25 Santa Rosa P 26-31-B 2/15/05 9:23 PM Page 26 COLONIZING Western Florida SERRES 1743 / COLOR BY CHARLOTTE HILL-COBB This drawing of Presidio Isla de Santa Rosa was done by artist Dominic Serres in 1743. The Spanish established settlements in both eastern and western Florida. An investigation of Presidio Isla de Santa Rosa, an outpost near present-day Pensacola, reveals how remarkably different these settlements were. By KC Smith eautiful, but remote and inhospitable. This de- brush led to a clearing where staff, students, and volun- scription came to mind as I drove along Santa teers from the University of West Florida’s (UWF) Archae- Rosa Island’s two-lane road from the National ology Institute worked under a city that protected ex- BPark Service ranger station toward one of north- cavation units and field crews from the blistering sunshine west Florida’s finest archaeological finds, Presidio and regular rainfall. Isla de Santa Rosa. I was traversing the western end of a 50- I was greeted by Judith Bense, the director of the Ar- mile-long barrier island that is part of the Gulf Islands Na- chaeology Institute and the project’s principal investigator. tional Seashore. Protected and pristine, this landscape For 25 years, her research in Florida’s western panhandle nonetheless is rearranged regularly by tropical storms and has helped to explain the cultures—native, Spanish, French, occasional hurricanes that make landfall on the narrow spit. British, and U.S.—that have occupied the area. Bense calls Santa Rosa Island is a haven for nesting birds, nature Presidio Isla de Santa Rosa the “crown jewel” of the three lovers, sunbathers, and anglers, but 250 years ago, its west- fortified frontier settlements that protected Spanish West ern tip was to a determined outpost trying to secure Florida from French intrusion between 1698 and 1763. “The another foothold in Spain’s northern dominion of La site had a very dynamic and rich history. It was destroyed by Florida. As I motored along, enchanted by the exotic but a catastrophic hurricane, immediately abandoned, and left harsh landscape, I asked myself, “What would cause any- virtually untouched until modern times,” said Bense. “It was one to settle here?” A short walk through scrubby under- the largest Hispanic colonial settlement on the Gulf.”

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JUDY BENSE american archaeology task ofidentifyingSantaRosa’s boundaries. complicatingthe on topoftheoriginalcolonialshoreline, dredging operationshave discharged upto30feetofsand Throughtheyears, extentofthesettlement. the northern A handauger was usedtoborethroughthespoildetermine while doingherwork. this excavator was dressedinstockinged feetandconfinedtoaboardwalk The archaeological featuresinSantaRosa’s softsandsaresofragilethat Sheets ofclearplasticwere erectedover the excavation unitstoenabletheresearchers to work duringfrequentdownpours.to work Islands NationalSeashore,whichmanagestheisland. between theuniversityandNationalPark Gulf Service, as aNationalHistoricLandmark—promptedpartnership Borderlands. Anotherobjective—tonominateSantaRosa American type ofsettlementthatprotectedSpain’sNorth data aboutthenatureandfunctionofpresidios,adistinct of theregion,alsosoughttoaugmentagrowingbody inhistoric-eraNativeAmericans anexpert Harris, Norma which Bensealsoexcavated.Sheandprojectdirector Rosa andtheotherPensacola Spanishcolonialpresidios, munity, betweenSanta andthearchaeologicalcorrelations site, thecompositionandsocialorganizationofcom- ofthe theboundariesandspatialarrangement identify of natives due to early 16th-century contactswithSpanish of nativesduetoearly16th-century halfwaslargelydepopulated sources, whereasthewestern orrelyonforre- pressintoservice, of Indianstoconvert, halfofLaFloridastillhadsubstantialpopulations eastern Florida.Inaddition,the colony alongtherouteineastern perilous seaboardwasastrongincentiveforsecuring fleets thatsailedfromCubabacktoSpainalongFlorida’s andwestward.Protectingthetreasure radiated northward in 1565,andaproductivesystemofCatholicmissionsthat favor ofitseastcoastsettlementatSt.Augustine, founded vived beforeabandoningthesitein1561. possessions andseveralships,thecolonistsbarelysur- Deprivedofmosttheir struck. a devastatinghurricane vants—had beenanchoredinthebayonlyamonthwhen tools,and1,500settlers,soldiers,ser- plies, arms, sup- Luna’sfleetof11ships—carrying Luna yArrellano. in1559withthefatefulexpeditionofTristáncurred de mariners intheearly1500s,firstcolonialventureoc- Although Pensacola wasvisitedbySpanishexplorersand The SpanishFoothold In 2002,UWFarchaeologistsbeganfieldresearchto For thenext137years,SpainignoredWest Floridain 27

RON GARDNER Santa Rosa P 26-31-B 2/15/05 9:24 PM Page 28 RON GARDNER / JUDY BENSE

These sherds were recovered during the excavation. Most of the ceramics found at Santa Rosa were made in Mexico, or by Native Americans, but many were also made in England, France, Holland, Germany, and China.

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CHARLOTTE HILL-COBB american archaeology mains presented. lenges uncoveringthosere- logical remains,andthechal- andricharchaeo- preservation, cause ofitsremoteness,pristine Rosa wasthelaststudiedbe- Rosa project.PresidioSanta town Pensacola, andtheSanta to 1763inwhatisnowdown- 2000, whichexistedfrom1752 Miguel dePanzacola in1999and excavation ofPresidioSan the baseline datathatinformed cers, soldiers,andconvicts. racks wereinhabitedbytheoffi- Bense concludedwhichbar- werefound, low statusartifacts different areaswherehighand Based onevidencesuchasthe theydiscovered. and structures concentrations ent intheartifact tus distinctionsthatwereappar- clearsta- nearby civilianvillage,theresearchersdiscerned andassociatedbuildings,the 1998. Studyingthefort on thePensacola NavalAirStationgrounds,from1995to sidio, andtheSpaniardsretreated. thepre- liance, troopsfromMobilecapturedandburned when France foughtSpainintheWar Al- ofQuadruple couraged andsuppliedbyBritishCarolinians.In1719, ingly byIndiansfromGeorgiaandAlabama,whowereen- the French atMobile.SantaMaríawasattacked unrelent- ply shipsfromMexicoandreciprocalbutillicittradewith colony, byundependablesup- thetownsitewassupported African slavesandimmigrantIndians.Essentiallyapenal contingent ofMexicanconvictsandconscripts,afew men,officials,andcivilians,alarge small groupofmilitary Pensacola Bayin1698.Thepresidiowasoccupiedbya new settlement,andSantaMaríadeGalvewasfoundedon viceroy ofNewSpainauthorizedtheestablishmenta Pensacola asabaseforharassingSpanishcommerce,the and GulfofMexico.To fromusing preventthisadversary when France begantoexplorethelowerMississippiRiver borderofLaFlorida. on thefarwestern installations who wereforcedtobuildanddefendmilitary mostly creolemenofmixedSpanishandIndiandescent ish borderlands,thePensacola presidioswerecoloniesof dreds ofotherpresidiosestablishedthroughouttheSpan- fromNewSpain(Mexico).Unliketransported thehun- presidios, becauseitmeantthatthelaborforcehadtobe enced thedemographicsandeconomyatallofPensacola’s influ- ropean diseases.Thislackofindigenoussupport expeditions thatresultedinwidespreadepidemicsofEu- These findingsprovided Bense directedtheexcavationofSantaMaría,located Spain wasforcedtorefocusitsattentioninthe1680s This mapshows thelocationsofthreeSpanishpresidios withinPensacola Bay. brief studydemonstratedthearchaeologicalpotentialof Smith’s tures. Healsocollectednearly30,000artifacts. andotherfea- others, andnumerousrefusepits,hearths, of entirelyandportions uncovering onesmallstructure trenches, teers in1964.Smithexcavated11irregular rected asummerfieldschoolwithstudentsandvolun- ologist HaleSmithofFloridaStateUniversity, whodi- the Pensacola HistoricalSociety. Simonscontacted archae- Simons,anamateurarchaeologistandcuratorat Norman by spoilfromperiodicdredgingofthebay. perimeterhasbeencovered site. Inaddition,thenorthern dug 40yearsagoformosquitocontrolhaveimpactedthe , aWorld War IIrailroadbed,andadrainageditch also protectedtheburiedpresidio,althoughshoreline Until bridgeslinked ittothemainland,itsremotelocation in1821. Floridabecameaterritory after property ernment were eyedforshipbuilding,theislandbecameU.S.gov- Because ofitsstrategiclocationandhardwoodtreesthat Modern Discovery ings andtheirpossessionstosettleintothesandsoftime. idents hastilyretreatedtothemainland,leavingbuild- res- Intheaftermath, 1752 flattenedallbuttwostructures. in archaeological record—beforeathree-dayhurricane several times—requiringrebuildingthatisreflectedinthe visitedthecommunity secure anddefendable.Butstorms seemed water onthreesidesandaswampthefourth, tip,boundedby and thesiteselectednearwestern ofanewsettlementonSantaRosaIsland, construction remained ofSantaMaría.TheViceroyMexicoordered The presidioremainswerediscoveredin1962byG. When Pensacola toSpainin1722,little wasreturned 29 Santa Rosa P 26-31-B 2/15/05 9:25 PM Page 30

main street, houses with fences, and myriad structures. The artifacts recovered in 2002 were clustered in dis- crete areas, with high-status items such as window glass in the western portion of the presidio, and low-status items such as Indian ceramics in the east, near a marshy area called Siguenza Slough. In 2003, Bense and Harris identi- fied the site boundaries and located major structures, such as the fort, church, and houses of officials and soldiers. Bense also initiated a historical research program, under- taken by UWF history professor John Clune and his stu- dents, to add to the small cache of documents already un- covered in archives in , Mexico, and the U.S. This program has revealed many details about life at Presidio Santa Rosa including the effect of several powerful storms, Judy Bense, Norma Harris, and laboratory director Jan Lloyd devise a trade, and the makeup of the population. strategy for the day’s excavations. Digging at the presidio was a challenge because the white, sandy substrate is, as Bense put it, “tricky, subtle, Presidio Santa Rosa, prompting a survey by Bense in 1985. and fragile.” Changes in soil color and consistency that are Unfortunately, Smith’s field documentation is lost but for a obvious at most archaeological sites often were scarcely few drawings and a summary report. Reconciling his work discernible. When the sand was dry, it was difficult to keep with the UWF excavation was one of many challenges that unit walls straight, and they were sometimes dug at an Bense and Harris faced. angle so they wouldn’t collapse. The water table is a mere In 2002, Bense’s team established a grid and mapped two or three feet below the surface, and that often deter- the site. They employed a metal detector and a magne- mined the depth of excavation. Fifty inches of rain made tometer, which registers disturbances in the earth’s mag- their work all the more challenging. Despite efforts to pro- netic field, to determine where to excavate. More than 100 tect open units, rising groundwater threatened to under- shovel tests revealed artifacts, intact deposits, and fea- cut walls and cause their collapse. The coup de grâce was tures, and some of Smith’s excavations. delivered in late June by Tropical Storm Bill, which halted An historic document from 1723 says the presidio in- operations for a week. cluded a warehouse, paymaster’s office, powder magazine, To prevent the destruction of the site and keep the bake oven, governor’s residence, 32 houses for officers and project going, wellpoints were installed adjacent to exca- civilians, and a lookout tower. Greater detail was provided vation areas to remove subsurface water. This involved by a drawing from 1743 by the artist Dominic Serres. Seen boring holes about seven feet deep, inserting a perforated from Pensacola Bay, the settlement includes a fort, church, pipe into each hole, and then pumping the water that col- lected in these pipes into an outflow pipe that emptied into Seguenza Slough. The well points allowed the excava- tion to continue, but the high water table limited the dig- ging. Nonetheless, the crew recorded 78 colonial features and recovered nearly 45,000 artifacts. The Summary Season In 2004, with the hum of the wellpoint pumps in the back- ground, the crew examined units that were flooded in the previous season, as well as new areas that promised addi- tional data about the community structure. “The 2004 sea- son took us from first base to home plate,” said Bense. “We identified significant architectural remains, including four complete house floors with artifacts above but not below, numerous burned or collapsed structures, and ex- amples of multiple building episodes. These features not only added details, but they also verified the site’s in-

tegrity.” Those details included the sizes of buildings, se- RON GARDNER This drawing illustrates the continuous process of building, repairing, and quences of building and rebuilding, details of construction rebuilding structures that took place at Santa Rosa. The lines represent the techniques, and identifying inside and outside areas of different construction episodes that occurred in this part of the site. structures.

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RON GARDNER JUDY BENSE american archaeology on importation andtradeforsurvival.” on importation tive wares—whichreinforces thepresidio’sreliance aswellSpanish,Mexican,andna- Chinese pottery vor—for example,Dutch,French, English,and where. Moreover, fla- international theyhaveavery quently, thatwedon’tseeelse- werecoveredartifacts hadbeenswallowed bythesand.Conse- everything tempts tosalvagethemwereimpossiblebecause andat- thehurricane, sessions wereabandonedafter high-status orpublicbuildings. werelarge,shebelieves theywereeither structures building materialstorotquickly.” Becausemany ofthe andanenvironment thatcaused the impactofstorms “atestimonyto andoverlainstructures lapsed, burned, calledthecol- Harris wereconstructed. structures ing episodesinwhichwallswerereplacedornew textures ofthesandwas lost. the archaeological information and revealed bythedifferentcolors Consequently, the sandsoondriedoutandsometimesblewaway. worked quicklybecauseoncethewall was exposedtothefiercesun, They A groupofexcavators establishedtheprofileofatrenchwall. “This place was an artifact trap,” saidBense.“Pos-“This placewasanartifact One excavationunitrevealedsevendistinctbuild- archaeologists tocontinuediggingwhen groundwater levels were extremelyhigh. andlaborfor awell-point systemallowing equipment, two large dieselpumps, donated ThompsonPumpandManufacturing Company, alocalcontractor, In 2004, from theblendingofSpanishandnativepeoples,” this time,adistinctMexicanculturehademerged found atotherHispaniccolonialsitesinFlorida.“By and manufacture,whichisatypicalofassemblages areofMexicanorigin overwhelmingly The artifacts the projectlinesofdemarcationwerelessclear. area, aswasthecaseatSantaMaria,byendof to clearlysuggestwhichsocialclassoccupiedwhat centrations uncoveredinthe2002seasonseemed con- post.Whilethenatureofartifact military typicalofa as thegunflints,bullets,andgunparts pottery, metalhardware,andfaunalremains,aswell monly foundathistoricsites,suchasbricks,glass, side, wheremostSantaRosaresidentscamefrom. shrines amongpeasantsintheMexicancountry- suspects thattheymayreflectatraditionofhome figurines, allfromthesameareaofsite.Bense objects wereacollectionofclayhumanandanimal beads.Themostenigmatic porcelain, androsary bracelets, cufflinks,keys, paintedandetchedglass, The crewalsorecoverednumerousitemscom- includedearrings, The unusualartifacts 31 Santa Rosa P 26-31-B 2/15/05 9:28 PM Page 32 RON GARDNER These students documented a complicated complex of wall trenches and features associated with a structure that burned sometime after 1750.

noted Harris. “That culture was imported to Santa Rosa by Bense and Harris agreed that the excavations of the two the people who came to occupy the presidio.” In contrast, other presidios was a prerequisite to tackling Santa Rosa. residents of the St. Augustine presidio and many other set- “On a scale of 1 to 10, Santa Rosa was a 9.5 in terms of its tlements in East Florida primarily were of European de- pristine nature. It was a single component site with high in- scent. tegrity and a substrate that protected the presidio’s artifac- Artifacts such as women’s jewelry reveal that, while tual and architectural remains,” Bense noted. “By providing Santa Rosa began as a penal colony, it later counted models of what to expect in the way of material evidence women and children among its residents. The archaeo- and community organization, Santa María and San Miguel logical evidence is corroborated by historic supply lists prepared us for Santa Rosa’s difficult archaeological and en- that include items such as petticoats. These documents vironmental circumstances. If we had started at Santa Rosa, indicate this change occurred about the midpoint of the we would have missed much of what was going on here. presidio’s existence, but there is no explanation as to the “In many ways, Santa Rosa was different from the reason for this change. other Pensacola presidios. However, viewing them as a In the process of recovering over 80,000 artifacts and group, we now realize that the history of Spanish interac- identifying numerous structures and features, they con- tion in West Florida was very different from East Florida. firmed the site’s archaeological and historical significance, They were two different worlds. East Florida had contact meeting the criteria for a National Historic Landmark des- with and support from Spain, Cuba, the gold fleets, and ignation. While final conclusions await the analysis of arti- local natives. West Florida had none of that. It had contact facts, field data, and historical records, a picture of life for with Mexico and to some extent Mobile. This was a colony Santa Rosa’s residents already has emerged. “The mem- of New Spain, and the people who were living here, most bers of this community lived in flimsy, wooden structures against their will, were Mexicans. That’s news!” outside the boundaries of the fort,” said Bense. “Because there were no farms, haciendas, or significant Indian labor, KC SMITH coordinates the Florida History Fair and the Florida Heritage they relied on unpredictable imports and trade to survive. Education Program at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. And they struggled constantly with the environment.” The historical documents are full of complaints about the lack To learn more about this project, visit the Web site of supplies from Mexico. www.uwf.edu/anthropology/research/presidioSR.cfm

32 spring • 2005 East Pequot pg 33-38-B 2/15/05 9:38 PM Page 33 Working Together Native Americans have often been suspect of archaeology. But when the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation wanted to learn more about their history, they consulted an archaeologist.

BY ALISON STEIN WELLNER

t 7:00 a.m. on an August day a caravan of cars and SUVs rolled onto the Eastern Pequot Tribal Na- A tion reservation in North Stonington, Connecti- cut. Near the tribe’s ceremonial circle—a clearing in the woods rimmed by a double row of posts and with a fire pit in the center—14 college students piled out of the vehicles. They all set about spraying their arms and legs with insect repellent, the first of many attempts to keep the mosquitoes and ticks at bay on this hot and humid day. Amidst the minor melee, it was not easy to spot Stephen Silliman, the Uni- versity of Massachusetts, archae- ologist who ran this field school. “Look for the old guy with a beard,” one of the students remarked. Silliman, 33, is hardly an old guy. Intense, wiry, with a brown close-clipped beard, wearing a loose t-shirt and hiking boots, he didn’t look that much older than the students he super- vises. Silliman stood near the spot where the crew entered the woods, clearly eager to get down to busi- ness. The field school was entering its Chief Hockeo raises a ceremonial hand-carved wooden peace pipe as a blessing at the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation's annual fifth and last week on this day, wrap- pow-wow celebration. The archaeological team was invited to,

A. VINCENT SCARANO ping up its second season. and recognized during, this community event.

american archaeology 33 East Pequot pg 33-38-B 2/15/05 9:39 PM Page 34 TIMOTHY MURPHY Archaeologist Stephen Silliman, Tribal Councilor Kathy Sebastian, and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Roy "Two Hawks" Cook discuss the significance of an ancient and stone celt, which are believed to be several thousand years old, that were found in a trash pit dating to the 1800s. These discussions, both in the field and out of it, have been critical to the success and direction of the archaeological project.

The crew trooped down a steep slope into the heavily extraordinarily successful Foxwoods Resort Casino, which wooded land that makes up the bulk of the Eastern Pe- looms near the woods where Silliman and his crew quot’s reservation, which is one of the oldest in the na- worked. And not far from that casino is the Mashantucket tion. The Pequot Indians once controlled all of Connecti- Pequot Museum and Research Center, a much-lauded in- cut, east of the Connecticut River, as well as portions of stitution that houses, in part, the results of over two the coast, and most of Eastern Long Island, New York. In decades of archaeological research, the fruits of a long- 1637, colonial soldiers staged a surprise ambush of the Pe- term relationship that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Na- quot’s fort in Mystic, Connecticut. Some 500 to 600 Pequot tion have had with Kevin McBride, an archaeologist at the were burned alive or otherwise killed by colonial soldiers, University of Connecticut. It was McBride who recom- a conflict that has become known as the Pequot War. The mended Silliman for the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation’s ar- colonial government dispersed survivors. Some were sold chaeology project. into slavery, while others were placed under the supervi- In 2002, the Eastern Pequot’s tribal council began sion of other tribes. In 1683, the colonial government set- planning for historic preservation programs and potential tled the remaining Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation on these development on the reservation. They determined that an 225 acres, and records show that the land has been occu- archaeological investigation could help them identify sa- pied ever since. cred areas that they didn’t want to disturb, while deepen- Another group of Pequots, the Mashantucket, were ing their knowledge of the tribe’s culture and history. settled on a different reservation not far from the Eastern “Since we never before had an archaeological project on Pequots. They are now a separate tribe, although the East- our reservation, we didn’t know exactly what was here,” ern Pequot view the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as said Kathy Sebastian, Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation Coun- cousins. It’s the Mashantucket Pequots who founded the cilor and Historic Preservation Advisor.

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TIMOTHY MURPHY american archaeology of stoneware,redware,pearlware, andcreamware.“The gunflint, windowandbottle glass, glassbeads,fragments style houseincludebuttons,knives,spoons,bentnails, small artifacts. insearchof the treesasMcCallscreenedexcavateddirt smiled almostimperceptibly. Sunbeamsfiltered through worked alongsidethestudentsthatsummer, listenedand PequotCall, amemberoftheEastern Tribal Nationwho weekend LindaMc- exploits,food,theoccasionalflirtation. able buzzoftypicalcollegestudentconversation:baseball, day, soundsofscrapingandclinkingmixed withtheami- isburiedoutthere,”saidSilliman. tory hadn’t realizedquitehowmuchhis- than doubled.“Mosttribalmembers the firstseason,thatnumbermore tions, cellars,orchimneyfalls.After obvious becauseofvisiblefounda- prior tothisproject,sitesthatwere knew ofaboutsixhousesontheirland they dugabout250more.Thetribe imately 230shovel-testunits.In2004 anddugapprox- the entirereservation of Silliman’s crewconductedasurvey downhill. further ture, another, smallerhouselocated half weredispatchedtoasecondfea- digging excavationunits.Theother half ofthestudentssettoworkhere, roughly 15squarefeetinsize.About pean-style framehouse,saidSilliman, once stoodhere.Itwaslikely aEuro- lapsed chimneyindicatedthatahouse and apileofrocksthatcouldbecol- they wereexcavating.Afoundationsill atafeature branches, thecrewarrived andfallen moss-covered rocks,ferns, ests andSilliman’sconvergednicely. Pequot’sof thepassingtime,”hesaid.TheEastern inter- 1800s, therearenotquiteasmanystories,probablybecause oral history, butonceyougetbackintotheearly1700sand did theyusethelandandbuildtheirhomes?“Thereisan of theirown,growingcrops,huntingandgathering?How Euro-Americans? Were theybuyinggoodsormakingsome Pequotduring thattime.HowdidtheEastern relatetothe aboutwhattranspired 1683, therewasagreatdealtolearn documents showingthatpeopleoccupiedthelandsince and change,”hesaid.Whilethereareplentyofhistorical potential evidenceof321yearscommunitypersistence significanceand centuries. “Thelandhasgreatlong-term ing anareacontinuouslyoccupiedbythetribeforseveral The recovered artifacts associated withtheEuropean- The recoveredartifacts As thecrewsettledintoworkthat During theproject’sfirstseason, Down thehill,throughwoods,scramblingover For Sillimanwasintriguedbytheideaofstudy- hispart, topographic features. The laser transit gathers very precise distanceandelevation Thelasertransitgathers very measurements. topographic features. and stoneenclosures, foundations, Student MelissaSmithusesalasertransittomaprockfences, in a 19th-century trashpit,whichsuggeststheywere in a19th-century 5,000 and2,700yearsago.Theseitemswerediscovered Late orTerminal bowl fragment,andstoneceltthatlikely date tothe Pequotthe Eastern wereusingtobacco. stems andbowlsofEuro-Americanmanufactureindicated expectation thatitwasprobablyforhunting.”Various pipe one wasusingthatgunforsomething,andthere’severy house wearestudyingthissummer,” saidSilliman.“Some- ing game.“We foundthosetwogunflintsinthemain they practicedagriculture.There’salsoevidenceofhunt- walls thatoncelikely ananimalpensuggestedthat formed a glimpseoftheirdiet.At thesmallerhousesite,stone tion aboutthecommercethattookplacethere. coins recoveredfromthesitecouldrevealmoreinforma- Pequot madeandsoldwood-splintbaskets. Analysisofthe inthemilitary,whalers, andserving andthatsome Eastern laborers, asfarm wagesworkingoffthereservation earned Historical documentsshowthatsometribalmembers chased thesegoods,ratherthanacquiredthembytrade. the early19thcentury. Sillimanbelievesthattheypur- were acquiringgoodsaswellmakingtheirownduring Pequotthe smallerhousesite,suggestthatEastern foundat stated. Thesefinds,alongwithsimilarartifacts orearly19thcentury,”end ofthe18thcentury Silliman pointtotheplacehavingbeenoccupiedin artifacts The crewalsofoundaprojectilepoint,soapstone offish,pig,sheep,andcowbonesgave The discovery Archaic, roughlysomewherebetween 35 East Pequotpg33-38-B2/15/059:40PMPage36 36 Jefferson’s backyard, theprecedentsestablishedthere many NativeAmericans. in hisbookSkullWars. Thisapproachdeeplyoffended world, notunlike amastodon,wroteDavidHurstThomas, human objectsofscientificstudy, specimensofthenatural logical approachthatconsideredNativepeopleasless-than- anthropo- asaprecursortothe19th-century project served intoalaboratory, asacredcemetery By turning Jefferson’s oneered thebasicsofscientificmethodarchaeology. inVirginiathelate1700s.Withproperty this,Jeffersonpi- son, hadhisslavesexcavateanativeburialmoundon gists. America’sfirstscientificarchaeologist,ThomasJeffer- beenatoddswitharchaeolo- Native Americanshaveoften in aremarkablycooperativeandproductiverelationship. Pequotment betweentheEastern andSillimanthatresulted Darlene “Tubby” Fonville oftheagree- wasanintegralpart inhabitants. of the19th-century when thepitwasdugorthattheywerepossessions inamucholdersitethatwasdisturbed embedded n ih1t-etr rs eoi eraclasdhuefudto.Thecrewoftenhadtocontendwithlarge rockswhile treerootsand excavating. trashdepositnearacollapsedhousefoundation. ing arich19th-century Student Elizabeth Swinning uses a tape measure and line level to measure the depth of an excavation unit. Swinning and another researcher were Swinningandanotherresearcher excavat- Student ElizabethSwinningusesatape measureandlinelevel tomeasurethedepthofanexcavation unit. As thescienceofarchaeologyexpandedfarbeyond oftribalmemberssuchasMcCalland The participation the ideaofanarchaeologicalprojectatfirst,explained Even so,theTribal Councilwasnotentirelyateasewith theirpurpose. they concludedarchaeologycouldserve practices, honor theirland,traditions,andcontemporary their discussionswithSilliman,whoconveyedhisdesireto McBride andtheMashantucket Pequot Tribal Nationand between ofthepartnership based ontheirobservation Pequot Councilwasmindfulofthistroubledhistory, but TheEastern withdistrust. the latterstillviewformer ofNativeAmericans,generallyspeaking, to theconcerns chaeological study, accordingtoThomas. throughar- favorofwhatcouldbedetermined tory—in their pastandpresent—theirspiritualtradition,oralhis- disregard forthevalueofNativeAmerican’sknowledge display. archaeologywasmarked Nineteenth-century bya were defleshedandsenttoWashington D.C.forstudyand skulls andbonesofNativesmassacredbytheU.S.Army petite. IntheinfamousSandCreekMassacrein1864, andWestwardfor Nativeartifacts, expansionfedthatap- museumsdevelopedanappetite were continued.Eastern While modern archaeologistsarefarmoresensitive While modern spring •2005

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TIMOTHY MURPHY american archaeology council thatthearchaeological projectwouldhonorthe “Two Hawks.” Call, Fonville, andRoyalCook,Jr., whogoesbythename Sebastian said.HencethepresenceoftribalmembersMc- the itemstaken outoftheground—a“checkand balance,” about archaeologywhilekeeping of aseparateinventory tribal memberworked withthecrewatalltimes, learning Pequotto theEastern upontheirrequest.At leastone attheuniversity,artifacts them buthehasagreedtoreturn been discovered.Sillimanisallowedtoanalyzeandhouse would stopimmediately. Thusfar, nohumanremains have were foundduringthecourseofexcavating,digging Ifhumanremains remains andthehandlingofartifacts. ofhuman tocol addressedsuchissuesasthediscovery tionship withthearchaeologicalresearchteam.Thepro- Pequotcol totheEastern Counciltoguidethetribe’srela- treated accordingtoourtraditions.” was foundwouldbetreatedcarefully, andwouldbe then, ofcourse,wewantedtobesurethatanything in anybigway, withbigequipmentlike bulldozers,and also wantedtobesurethegroundwouldn’tdisturbed in ourknownburialgroundsorgravesites,”shesaid.“We wastoavoidanydigging concern “Ourprimary Sebastian. the archaeological project. inbothfieldseasonsof Fonville hasparticipated from herscreeningtasks. takes abreak oneoftheEasternPequot interns, Darlene "Tubby" Fonville, Two roleinassuringthe Hawksplayedanimportant As aresult,Sebastianrecommendeddetailedproto- tives tohave avoice inthepracticeofarchaeology.” “It’s forthe Na- arealuphillstruggle who isnotNative American. gists “don’t carewhat Natives have tosay,” stated Warburton, Mostarchaeolo- betterthan itwasinthepast. only “marginally” describedtherelationshipasbeing the Navajo’s Flagstaff office, chaeologists who donotwork onancienthumanremains. thathaslittlebearingonar- newick Manis “a uniquesituation” butKen- impression thatthetwoareinconstantconflict, parties tive Americans andscientistsover Kennewick Mancangive the Henotedthatthehighlypublicized legal battlebetween Na- ties. thatpromptedadditionaldiscussions between thetwo par- lyst” American Graves ProtectionandRepatriation Act was “the cata- HesaidtheNative gotten alongbetterinthelast10to15years. believes thatarchaeologistsandNative Americans have Pequot, thoughthey don’thave degrees inthediscipline. said, them arethefinestfieldarchaeologistsI’ve he ever worked with,” “Ithinksomeof andthegreat majority ofthemareZuni. people, Thetwo organizations employ approximately30 chaeological work. supportiveofthear- addingthatthetribeisvery work withtheZuni, “Inmany hesaidofhis ways it’s rewarding,” owned by very thetribe. aculturalresourcesmanagement firm tural ResourcesEnterprise, Heritage Officeaswell andHistoricPreservation asheadofZuniCul- shesaid. benefits ofarchaeology,” “We areconstantlyexplainingtoourown peoplethe science. shethinkstheNavajo arebecomingmoreacceptingofthe less, Nonethe- archaeologistsarestigmatizedasgrave robbers. cans, 30 employees inthethreeoffices. Thereareabout chaeological fieldmethodsandNavajo culture. inar- mostofwhom areNavajo, trains Native American students, theNavajo hiresand department archaeology the university, Workingothers) isaffiliatedwithNorthern Arizona University. with chaeological sites. ar- coming anarchaeologistisaway to “respect andprotect” Be- It’s Two ourhistory,” Bearssaid. interested inarchaeology. “IthinkNative Americans haveNavajo always archaeologist. been happenstobea the Navajo Nation’s department, archaeology officeof Arizona, themanager oftheFlagstaff, Two Bears, gists. given thatagrowing numberofNative Americans arearchaeolo- ship asbeingbetween Native Americans andarchaeologists, is indeedbeingmaintained. Buttherearesomeindicationsthattherelationship low regard. have oftenheldarchaeologistsin forvarious reasons, Americans, Native cate onebetween Native Americans andarchaeologists. toisthedeli- Therelationshiphereferred gist Jonathan Damp. archaeolo- observed The relationship “needs tobemaintained,” and Archaeology Native Americans iad abro,who preceded TwoMiranda BearsasmanagerWarburton, of who works withtheEastern Archaeologist StephenSilliman, isthedirector oftheZuni who isnotaNative American, Damp, inthemindsofmany Native Ameri- Two Bearssaidthat, Her office(theNavajo hastwo department archaeology Davina Two Bearssaidit’s todefinethisrelation- incorrect —Michael Bawaya 37 East Pequotpg33-38-B2/22/057:31PMPage38 38 “Normally, ifyoufindthatinthelab such asarock,orpieceof wood. he’s collectedthat’snotanartifact, anything that also agreedtoreturn isokay.”them thateverything He first, andthisaccountingshows the removalofculturalobjectsat with members wereuncomfortable something. Iknowthatsometribal off with honest andgoingtorun thinkingthatI’mdis- that they’re questioning myprofessionalism,or man noted.“Idon’ttake thatas ever asked metodobefore,”Silli- That’s somethingthatnoonehas facts, andtodothisonadailybasis. get acountofallthebagsarti- bers outthere,like Two Hawks,to wants oneoftheirkey tribalmem- end oftheday, thetribalcouncil wasn’t usedto.For example,“atthe accommodated requeststhathe tion’s protocolmeantthatSilliman that Ilovethem,wethem,”hesaid. disturbing thelandandtheirpeace.I’mlettingthemknow fering ittothem,andhopingtheyacceptourofferingfor the land,backtoGreatSpiritandMother. We’re of- prayer isdone,”hesaid.“We’re makinganofferingbackto prayer, andIletitdropslowly[intotheunit],until a specialritual.“Itake ahandfuloftobacco,andIsay the crewfinishedexcavatingaunit,Two Hawksperformed mony, administeredbyTwo them.When Hawks,topurify at thetribe’slonghousethatincludedasmudgingcere- inahalf-day thestudentsparticipated orientation started, tribe’s traditionsandbeliefs.Beforethefieldschool pottery stylethatwas commonfromtheearly-to-mid18thcentury. pottery The designandcolorsuggest thatthepieceislikely "mochaware," a ceramicvessel. refinedearthenware This fragmentisfroma19th-century The Eastern PequotThe Eastern Tribal Na- htsron hmaetehuesclasdciny which they of. subsequentlyexcavated portions themarethehouse’sthat surround collapsedchimney, Thelarge rocks house. Student JulieMcNeilandEasternPequot internLindaMcCallmapa19th-century formed.” honor,” heexplained.“A token ofthebondthatwe’ve the onehewearsaroundhisownneck.“It’satoken of made eachmemberofthecrewamedicinebag,justlike tribe hasbeenremarkable.Thissummer, Two Hawks theyarededicatedtotheland.” hearts, juststudents.Butintheir a branch,”hesaid.“They’re they showed.“Theywouldn’tkillabug,cut the land.”Buthewassurprisedandpleasedbycaring wondered whetherthestudents“wouldhaveafeelingfor said, “Ididn’tknowwhattoexpect.”McCallnodded.He Call reflectedonthefieldschool.“At first,”Two Hawks the longuphillhike backtotheircars.Two HawksandMc- place thereduringtheyear. theworkthattakesto hislabattheuniversityobserve dig. Hewouldlike fortribalmemberstocome toarrange school hesentthetribeweeklye-mailupdatesabout the projectaspossible.For example,duringthefield element tothemasacommunity,” hesaid. throw thatstuffaway;wewantitback.’Thelandisakey work wouldprobablygo.Theirreactionwas,‘Donot in anattempttobeashonestIcouldabouthowthelab throw itinthegarbage.ImentionedthattoTribal Council, and realizeit’snothingofarchaeologicalsignificance,you publications. WELLNER appeared inthe STEIN ALISON The respectthatdevelopedbetweenthecrewand As thedayended,studentsreadiedthemselvesfor Silliman triedtokeep thecommunityasinvolvedin ahntnPs,Pyhlg oa,Sierra, Today, Psychology Post, Washington is anaward-winning writerwhoseworkhas spring •2005 and other

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TIM BARKER american archaeology and triumph.Theyare,perhaps aboveallelse,deliciously and entertaining,filledwith adventure, romance,tragedy, stodgy archaeologists?To besure,theyarecompelling pressed ancienthistoryof humanity, apast deniedby more thanfantasy, ormighttheyreflecta secretandre- instigate theevolutionofworld’sfirstcivilizations. earth, shareknowledgewithourancestorsand,insodoing, A The Peculiar Phenomenon Are theseandotherequallyintriguingtaleslittle WHAT ISTHEAPPEALOFPSEUDOARCHAEOLOGY? distant anddifferentfromourown,landon traterrestrial aliensfromaworldinconceivably cataclysm ofimponderableproportions.Ex- stroyed morethan10millenniaagoinanatural vast andsplendidcivilizationistragicallyde- of Pseudoarchaeology WHAT PROBLEMSDOESITSPOPULARITYPOSE? By KennethL.Feder least, sensationalizehuman antiquity. Atlantis, pharaoh’s can likelyfindostensibledocumentaries that,atthevery sion listingsgivesomeindication. Inanygivenweekaviewer fake archaeologicalevidenceispseudoarchaeology. The attempttosupportthesenotionswithdubiousor don’t lackfordrama,thesestoriesdoevidence. sherds donebyarchaeologists.However, thoughthey dreary researchconcerningprojectilepointsandpot- raw materialforstoriesfarmoreinterestingthanthe triguing possibilitiesabouttheancientworldprovide Maybe that’swhysomanypeoplebelievethem.Thesein- surprising; wedidn’tlearnanyofthisinhistoryclass. How pervasiveispseudoarchaeologytoday?Thetelevi- 39 Fantastic Archpg39-432/15/059:52PMPage40 40 ate heateddebate,thearchaeological evidenceatL’anse Stone foundinwest-centralMinnesota continuetogener- dated tomorethan1,000yearsagowonovertheskeptics. andcharcoalradiocarbon ical houseremains.Theseartifacts ring-headed bronzepin,asoapstonespindlewhorl,andtyp- recovered atthesiteincludeda Canada. TheNorseartifacts L’anse auxMeadowssiteonNewfoundland,ineastern peared, however, and excavationofthe withthediscovery in NorsesagastheNewWorld. Thatskepticism disap- chaeologists wereskeptical to offindingtheVinland referred New World 500yearsbefore Columbus.Admittedly, manyar- ence ofChineseexplorersorcolonistsinAmerica. archaeological contextsthatofferproofoftheearlypres- foundinfirm artifacts are noconvincingearly15th-century which islargelybasedonambiguousoldmaps,thatthere other places,America.Theproblemwithhisargument, andexplored,among sailors circumnavigatedtheearth 10,000 sail, afleetofmorethan100Chineseshipscarrying zies. Menziesproposesthat71yearsbeforeColumbusset 1421: TheYear ChinaDiscoveredtheWorld Consider theclaimatcoreofrecentpopularbook, Intriguing Tales ancienttimesaretheusualfare. advanced technologiesinvery visits totheNewWorld byvariousgroups,andastonishingly curses, based onasonarimage taken offthecoastofCuba. Thisillustrationis ofwhat interpretation Thisisanartist’s lookslike. Atlantis There areclaimsthat Atlantis hasbeenfound inseveral differentlocations. Though artifacts like KensingtonThough artifacts therune-inscribed Compare thistotheanalysisofaNorsepresencein extraterrestrial visitors to earth inantiquity, visitorstoearth extraterrestrial pre-Norse by GavinMen- years time,thegreatmuseums oftheworldmightbefilled diluvian World, publishedin1882,hesuggests thatin100 TheAnte- fact, inthefinalparagraphofhisbook,Atlantis, his Atlanteanwould beneededtosupport speculations.In vanced source.For Donnelly, thatsourcewasAtlantis. guages—there musthavebeenacommon,highlyad- arches, metallurgy, agriculturalsystems,and writtenlan- Atlantic weresosophisticatedandsimilar—with pyramids, cal achievementsofancientpeoplesonbothsidesthe Atlantis wasrootedinhisinsistencethatthearchaeologi- beliefin affected allotherancientcivilizations.Donnelly’s thatAtlantisserting had beenarealnationthathadgreatly nelly revivedtheAtlantis mythinthelate19thcentury, as- work, Platolaidoutinhisbestknown bytherules governed society order totestthemettleofahypothetical,perfect warlike Atlantis asaplotdeviceinoneofhisdialogues ful, sophisticated,wealthy, butevilempire.Platocreateda philosopher Plato,Atlantis byhimasapower- isportrayed creationoftheGreek known example.Theliterary common themeofpseudoarchaeology. Atlantis isthebest- than thatofEgypt,Mesopotamia,ortheMayaisanother clusively thattheVikingsreachedNewWorld. CanadianArctichaveshowncon- throughout theeastern found aux MeadowsandthescatterofNorseartifacts Donnelly recognizedthatarchaeologicalevidence U.S. congressmanandprolificauthorIgnatiusDon- A precociouslysophisticatedlostcivilization,farolder The Republic . spring •2005

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CHARLES PUGH OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY american archaeology ing round,square,oreven octagonal plazasofupto50 stone, copper, andmica. impressive gravegoodsofclay,semblages ofartistically accompanied bysubstantialas- found humanburials,often over thelandscape.Within theseconicalmounds were cal inshape,somejustafewfeethigh,butotherstowered Manyofthesewereconi- substantial monumentsofearth. centuries, theyencounteredthewidespreadremnantsof spread acrosstheAmericanMidwestin18thand19th pseudoarchaeology. For example,asEuropeansettlers logical recordseenintheNewWorld iscommonin Indians andthemoreimpressiveelementsofarchaeo- Peaceamounts toanextraterrestrial Corps. people themselves,butmusthavebeeninspiredbywhat side ofEurope,couldnothavebeendevelopedbythe on thelibelthatancientcivilizations,especiallythoseout- European continent.Hispseudoarchaeologyseemsbased counted onlytwosuchexamplesinthebookforentire involvement;I evidence inEuropetoextraterrestrial Däniken seemedreluctanttoascribeanyarchaeological higher power, Interestingly, i.e.,extraterrestrials. von people, theymusthavebeeninspiredbycontactwitha he feltweresobeyondthecapabilitiesofindigenous archaeological recordofAsia,Africa, andtheAmericasthat dozens ofexamplestechnologicalsophisticationinthe Von byapeculiarpattern. diately struck Däniken provides uate studentintheearly1970s.Irememberbeingimme- ular bookofpseudoarchaeology, ChariotsoftheGods. andhistory.tory pop- Headvancedthisargumentinavery roleinhumanprehis- visitorsplayedacrucial terrestrial existence showsthatitwasnothingmore. fiction andthelackofanyarchaeologicalevidenceforits Obviously, thatdidn’thappen.Atlantis wasintendedasa andimplementsfromAtlantis.with archaeologicalartifacts imntnTbe,sonhr,was madebythe . shown here, Wilmington Tablet, The Americans were ofvarious theworks Old World cultures. tablets craftedbyprehistoricNative a numberofclaimsthat There have been Other consistedofextensivewallsenclos- Other earthworks The attempttodenyaconnectionbetweenAmerican I readChariotsoftheGods Swiss authorErichvonDäniken thatextra- purports when Iwasanundergrad- equivocally thatthemoundbuildershadbeenIndians. Thisarchaeologicalevidenceshowedun- ing 40,000artifacts. and hiscrewinvestigated2,000moundsin21states,collect- Thomas Institution, beginningin1882,archaeologistCyrus didn’t buildthem.InaprojectfundedbytheSmithsonian mounds andfoundnoevidencetoindicatethattheIndians builders whohadoriginatedsomewhereintheOldWorld. themythofaracemound- was responsible.Soborn bilities. Consequently, itwasthoughtthatsomeothergroup rvnpeClminNrestlmn,was longabandoned bythen. settlement, proven pre-ColumbianNorse theonly andbecauseL’anse auxMeadow, encampment was found withit, gists doubttherunestone’s authenticitybecausenoevidenceofaNorse Norse expeditionthatoriginatedin Norse Vinland in ofa Ittellsthestory The Kensington Runestonewas found inMinnesota. that America’saboriginalinhabitantspossessedsuchcapa- acres. Still other mounds had been built as enormous ef- acres. Stillothermoundshadbeenbuiltasenormous many AmericansofEuropeandescentrefusedtobelieve ancestors ofthenativepeopleAmerica.Unfortunately, objects foundwithinthem?Theobviousanswerwasthe figies, representingonamonumentalscaleanimals But scholars,includingThomasJefferson,excavatedthe vide an elevated platform foratempleorpalace. vide anelevatedplatform earthen pyramids, truncated atthetopasiftopro- pyramids,truncated earthen like bears,birds,andevensnakes. Largerstillwere Who builtthemoundsandproducedartistic A . D 32 Mostarchaeolo- 1362. . 41 Fantastic Arch pg 39-43 2/15/05 9:53 PM Page 42 Fantastic Arch pg 39-43 2/16/05 3:56 PM Page 43 OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY is an in the form of an enormous snake. It is an example of the remarkable prehistoric mound-building tradition of the Native Americans. European settlers thought that the Native Americans lacked the sophistication to construct these mounds, which led to the myth that they were the works of more advanced, Old World cultures. This myth still endures.

Nonetheless, the notion that Old World people could Why Worry About Pseudoarchaeology have made the artifacts within the mounds persisted. The 1860 discovery of the so-called Keystone in Newark, Ohio, Do people actually believe pseudoarchaeology, or is it all immediately east of a series of substantial earthworks, is an just harmless entertainment? Data on the actual impact of example of this persistence. The Keystone looks a bit like a pseudoarchaeology books and television programs is hard plumb bob with Hebrew writing on all four of its faces. The to come by. However, I have been polling students at my writing suggested it had been ancient Hebrews—the Wan- university for more than 20 years, (the number of students dering Jews of history—who had built at least some of the polled is roughly 2,000 to 2,500), surveying their responses remarkable earthworks of North America. to claims about Atlantis, extraterrestrials, psychic archaeol- However, the Hebrew lettering was modern in ap- ogy, and America’s exploration and settlement by ancient pearance, an anachronism on an object that ostensibly Celts, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Hebrews, and so on. The ma- dated to the period of Ohio mound construction some jority of the students neither strongly agrees nor disagrees 2,000 years ago. Therefore many people recognized the with these claims. For example, when I last polled them in Keystone as a hoax. 2003, only about one percent strongly believed the ancient The discovery five months later in Ohio of another astronaut hypothesis and an additional five percent thought anomalous artifact was highly suspicious as well. Called it could be true. That’s good news. However, I have also the Decalogue for its inscription of the Ten Command- found that a disturbingly large fraction of my students—any- ments, this artifact bore a more appropriate, archaic ver- where from one-third to one-half, depending on the sion of the Hebrew language, dating to a time similar to claim—are fascinated by these claims but admit that they that of mound construction. As Brad Lepper, a curator of don’t know enough to accept or reject them. archaeology at the Ohio Historical Society, points out, this In 1983, I polled archaeologists who taught at universi- “improvement” in the Decalogue probably resulted from ties concerning their views about the impacts of pseudoar- its maker learning from the rather obvious inauthenticity chaeology. It was apparent at the time that, while many were of the Keystone. concerned about the inability of students to skeptically as- Despite an extensive program of mound excavations sess extraordinary claims about the human past, few had over the last 100 years, professional archaeologists have the time or inclination to do much about it. Fortunately, this never found any genuine Hebrew—or any other—inscrip- appears to have changed somewhat. For example, in the tions in association with the mounds. The Keystone and mid-1980s I first circulated the draft of a textbook that de- Decalogue are viewed by most archaeologists, historians, bunked pseudoarchaeological claims. Sixteen publishers and linguists as crude hoaxes. turned down the proposal, primarily because they didn’t be-

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lieve that university archaeologists (Top) The Keystone was found in association with a mound felt the need or had the time site in Newark, Ohio, in 1860. It bears a Hebrew inscription to discuss such things in on each of its four faces, which some people claimed class. That book, Frauds, was proof of an ancient Jewish presence in Ohio. Myths and Mysteries: Sci- ence and Pseudoscience in (Bottom) The Decalogue is a limestone tablet Archaeology, ultimately was covered with Hebrew letters. Like the Keystone, published, as was another book it’s considered to be a forgery. responding to pseudoarchaeology, Fantastic Archaeology: The Wild Side of North American Prehistory, ing these things. Needless to say, this reluctance by Stephen Williams. to give much of ancient humanity its due is troubling to It is gratifying to report that both of those books have scientists who have devoted their professional lives to illu- become staples in courses on pseudoarchaeology offered minating the accomplishments of those people. by anthropology departments throughout the United Fascination with and acceptance of pseudoarchaeo- States and Canada. That these textbooks have survived logical claims also seems to be part of a broader inability and even thrived (Frauds is currently going into on the part of the public to distinguish science from its 5th edition) is clear evidence that plenty of pseudoscience. The results from my most re- teaching archaeologists recognize the chal- cent student polling is an indication of this. lenge posed by pseudoarchaeology and de- Fifty-three percent expressed strong or vote some time to it in their introductory mild belief in psychic power, 25 percent in classes or even teach an entire course fo- the claim that UFOs are alien spacecraft, cusing on the issue. and 18 percent in the efficacy of astrology. A highly significant difference be- Garrett Fagan, a classical archaeologist tween the 1980s and today is the exis- at Penn State University, became so con- tence of the Internet, a virtually limitless, cerned about what he perceived to be an in- open forum for ideas, scientific and oth- sufficient and unsystematic professional re- erwise. Certainly, the Web affords a sponse to pseudoarchaeology that he soapbox for all manner of pseudoar- organized a workshop on the subject at the chaeological claims. A Google search 2003 annual meeting of the Archaeological In- of the phrase “The Lost Continent of stitute of America. It was extremely well-at- Atlantis,” for example, generates over tended and even drew the interest of a pub- 84,000 hits. A search of the phrase lisher. Fagan, in fact, is now editing a book “Ancient Astronauts” produces more titled Archaeological Fantasies: How Pseudoar- than 300,000. By comparison, a chaeology Misrepresents the Past and Misleads Google search of the phrase “de- the Public, based on contributions to that work- bunking Atlantis” generates almost shop. The various articles in the book share a 6,000 hits, and a search under “de- common perspective: it is important, but not suffi- bunking Ancient Astronauts” pro- cient, to be reactive to unsupported claims about JOHNSON-HUMRICKHOUSE MUSEUM duces a little more than 4,300. the human past as they come up. The Web also allows archaeologists to Fagan believes that archaeologists also need to get their message out and a handful of them have de- be proactive, promoting the discoveries of genuine ar- veloped sites responding directly to claims of lost tribes, chaeology to the public, and not just debunk the junk. In- sunken continents, ancient astronauts, and the like. My deed, he has a point. Archaeologists cannot abandon the personal favorite, in fact, is titled Fantastic Archaeology! public forum to the pseudoarchaeologists. We need to Lost Tribes, Sunken Continents and Ancient Astronauts show an interested public—one that supports archaeolog- (http://www.uiowa.edu/~anthro/fantasti/cultindex.html), ical research through the purchase of books, visits to mu- produced by Larry Zimmerman and Richard Fox. seums and sites, and contributions to organizations work- Ultimately, how troublesome is pseudoarchaeology? ing to preserve the past—that the true stories of antiquity, Consder that a low opinion of the capabilities of ancient inspired by the hard evidence of archaeology, are every bit peoples—or, at least some ancient peoples—seems to re- as intriguing, fascinating, and enthralling as the stories told side at its core. The archaeological record is filled with ex- by the pseudoarchaeologists. amples of spectacular architectural achievements, sophis- ticated technologies, wonderful artwork, and glimmerings KENNETH L. FEDER is a professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut of science. Much of pseudoarchaeology is based on the State University. He is the author of several books including Frauds, Myths belief that were incapable of produc- and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.

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new acquisition A Woodland Village Turned Frontier Town The Conservancy’s latest preserve in Michigan has had a number of important occupations.

he Fosters site, located in Saginaw County, Michigan, is a great example of a Late T Woodland Native American Village and a Euro-American frontier town. The area has a rich history and prehistory. Native American villages were found here from about A.D. 700 to 1100, and from approximately 1300 to 1400. Later, Euro-Americans moved to the area. The current owners, Ken and Nadine Smith, are the direct descendents of Gardner Foster, who founded the town in 1859. The Foster fam- ily started a general store, a pickle production operation, and a winery. Fosters soon became a busy frontier town with a hotel, blacksmith shop, and bar. Most of the Fosters site is now nothing

AMY NICODEMUS more than a plowed field, but below the surface lie some of the richest intact archaeological re- mains in Michigan. Excavations at Fosters in the These stone tools were recovered from the Fosters site during excavations in late 1960s. late 1960s and early 1970s revealed deposits The site was used as a lithic workshop and its surface is littered with worked stone. buried at a depth of three or more feet. These included organic remains dating to the earliest Fosters was abandoned. The people living at Fosters then may have occupations of the site. been the ancestors of the Fox and Sauk, though more research is The site was primarily a stone work- needed to confirm this. The Fox and Sauk moved west to what is shop during its earliest occupations. The surface now the Green Bay, , area. Fosters may hold some of the is littered with many tools and the debris from answers as to why the Fox and Sauk left the area. their production. Prehistoric ceramics also are The Fosters site was listed on the National Register of Historic found on the surface. Two distinct types have Places in 1982, and on the State Register of Historic Sites in 1974. The been found at Fosters suggesting two prehistoric land has been in the Fosters family for 145 years, and the Smiths occupations. Mackinac sherds represent the ear- were worried that it would be developed for housing or destroyed by lier Woodland culture, and shell-tempered the next owners. The preserve consists of 10 acres near the Flint sherds reflect the latter occupation. This pottery River and will ensure the survival of one of the last remaining sites in change is important to the archaeological record Saginaw County. —Joe Navarri because it reflects a cultural change that took place in this part of Michigan before A.D. 1100. The Fosters site may also some light on the history of the Sauk and Fox nations. Around A.D. 1400 the Native American village at Conservancy Plan of Action SITE: Fosters CULTURE & TIME PERIOD: Late Woodland to Historic A.D. 700–1880s STATUS: The site is threatened by agriculture and residential development. ACQUISITION: The Conservancy is purchasing 10 acres for $23,000. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please send contributions to The Archaeological Conservancy, Attn: Fosters Project, 5301 Central Ave. NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517.

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new acquisition Hohokam Site Preserved Within Subdivision The Shamrock Estates preserve is a model for cultural resource management.

ife in the Phoenix Basin has al- ways been dependent upon, and L limited by, water, with prehistoric settlements focused around the Salt and Gila rivers and their various trib- utaries and springs. Between A.D. 200 and 1450, the Hohokam culture flourished in the southern and cen- tral regions of what is today Arizona. They built platform mounds, ball- courts, and pithouse dwellings while using extensive canal irrigation to farm the Salt and Gila river valleys. As fieldwork continues in the Hohokam area, stimulated in large part by the construction of housing developments, researchers are get-

ting a clearer picture of these highly NORTHLAND RESEARCH resourceful, well-organized people. A This hamlet-sized Hohokam site is similar to Shamrock Estates in its size and age. It’s located Hohokam hamlet with as many as 30 approximately three miles away from Shamrock. pithouses discovered during the de- velopment of a 340-acre subdivision Cooking hearths and outside ac- the community is built, the Conser- in Gilbert, east of Phoenix, was re- tivity areas were identified at the site, vancy plans to make annual presen- cently donated to the Conservancy known as the Shamrock Estates Ar- tations to the homeowner’s associa- for permanent preservation. Testing chaeological Preserve. Based on tion regarding the site’s significance of the site determined that it was oc- what’s known about typical Ho- and the importance of cultural re- cupied during two periods in prehis- hokam settlements, it’s thought that source preservation. tory, from A.D. 800 to 850 during the additional domestic features are “The Conservancy sees this ef- late Gila Butte Phase, and from 1150 likely to exist in association with the fort as an important experiment in to 1200 during the Sacaton Phase of pithouses, including cooking and cultural resource management de- the Classic Period. storage pits, as well as trash mounds. signed to integrate archaeological The site’s architectural features and preserves into modern neighbor- associated artifacts suggest that it hoods,” said James Walker, the Con- was seasonally occupied for the col- servancy’s Southwest regional direc- lection and initial processing of wild tor. “We hope that the Shamrock plants and other resources. Estates Archaeological Preserve will The developer, Taylor Woodrow be used as a model by other develop- Arizona Inc., donated the land to the ers seeking creative solutions to the Conservancy. This winter, Conser- presence of cultural resources within vancy staff placed a layer of geotex- proposed developments.” A similar tile material and 10 inches of soil preservation project was completed over the site, which will be leased in 2003, whereby a large Hohokam back to Taylor Woodrow to be used community was preserved as an as open space within a planned com- open space park within the Cortero munity park for the subdivision. A Ranch Subdivision in the Town of long-term management plan was Marana, northwest of Tucson. also created for the preserve. Once —Tamara Stewart

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NEW POINT-2 new acquisition The Conservancy Acquires A Plaquemine Culture Site Bayou Portage Guidry is an important prehistoric mound site. acquisition STONE ARTIFACTS OF TEXAS INDIANS ho are the Plaquemine peo- ple? That is the question ar- Wchaeologist Mark Rees of University of Louisiana at Lafayette in- tends to answer. Three years ago, Rees initiated the Plaquemine Mounds Ar- chaeological Project (PMAP) to iden- tify Plaquemine culture sites in south- central Louisiana and to learn more about these poorly understood late- prehistoric people. Much more is known about the Plaquemine’s Missis- sippian and Caddoan neighbors. The Plaquemine were mound- builders who flourished in the Lower Mississippi River Valley from about MARK REES A.D. 1200 to 1700. They were proba- bly the ancestors of the historic This map of the site shows the four large mounds, A, B, C, and D, that surround the central plaza. Natchez, Tensas, and Tribes. The Plaquemine culture ap- Creek and Plaquemine sites in River and . pears to have arisen from the earlier PMAP’s research area are heavily Radiocarbon dates obtained from Hopewellian-influenced Coles Creek damaged or destroyed, and more the site indicate that mound construc- culture that dominated the region sites are being lost every year. Thus, tion and habitation occurred around from about A.D. 700 to 1200. when Rees brought Bayou Portage A.D. 1200 to 1350. The research on the The Plaquemine constructed Guidry to its attention, the Conser- site is ongoing. “Portage Guidry is monumental earthworks and farmed vancy began negotiations with the clearly one of the most important late and other crops. But unlike the landowners, the Broussard family, to prehistoric mound sites in south-cen- Mississippians, who often concen- acquire the site. tral Louisiana,” stated Rees. “Strong trated their population in fortified Located near the town of Breaux associations with Coles Creek ce- towns, the Plaquemine usually lived Bridge, Bayou Portage Guidry is the ramic assemblages and similarities in isolated farmsteads and hamlets largest mound center located in with other well-known sites make that were oriented around ceremo- PMAP’s research area. This well- Portage Guidry a critical place for ex- nial mound centers. Based on histori- preserved, 13-acre site consists of amining Plaquemine development. cal accounts of the Natchez, re- mounds, middens, borrow pits, and Its affiliation with the Chitimacha searchers believe that the Plaquemine habitation areas. Four large mounds, Tribe of Louisiana presents an un- mound centers were occupied by the linked by causeways, surround a cen- usual opportunity for understanding chief and a few other elites who were tral plaza. Two smaller house late prehistoric-protohistoric culture usually members of the chief’s family. mounds stand just beyond the cen- history. Portage Guidry’s acquisition For special celebrations and rituals, tral plaza area, and a seventh by the Conservancy is a noteworthy the general population would also mound, discovered in thick woods and commendable accomplishment.” gather at the mound center for short when the Conservancy had the prop- The Conservancy would also like durations before returning home. erty surveyed, lies a few hundred to thank the Broussard Family for Like the Natchez, it is believed that yards away. The site was strategically working with us during the three the Plaquemine were sun worshipers. located along a waterway of the same years it took to complete the acquisi- Sixty percent of the known Coles name that connects the Atchafalaya tion. —Alan Gruber

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NEW POINT-2 In Pursuit of the First Moundbuilders acquisition The Conservancy preserves Louisiana’s Caney Mounds site.

ow old are the first Indian mounds constructed in America? HFor years, most archaeologists agreed that the Late Archaic period culture in Louisiana (c. 1800–500 B.C.) constructed the earliest major earthworks in North America. Archaeologists thought that the older cultures lacked the social complexity, technology, and seden- tary lifestyle required to construct monumental earthworks. However, recent research on sites in Louisiana such as Banana Bayou, Hedgepeth Mounds, French- man’s Bend, and by ar- chaeologists like Joe Saunders and others changed the old notions by the mid-1990s. Numerous radiocar- ALAN GRUBER bon dates from these sites, com- bined with diagnostic artifacts and Radiocarbon dating indicates that the Caney Mounds are more than 5,000 years old. They are among soil dating processes like pedogene- the earliest major earthworks in North America. sis, showed that mound construction began at least 2,000 years earlier by a variety of professional and avo- Poverty Point period in origin. In fact, than was previously thought, thus cational archaeologists who per- the site was the largest Poverty Point placing the earliest mounds into formed a number of surface collec- culture site and the largest mound the pre-ceramic Middle Archaic Pe- tions over several decades indicating complex in the region. For these rea- riod. (c. 3500–3000 B.C.) Archaeolo- that every major period of human sons alone, Caney was considered gists have now begun to re-examine occupation in Louisiana, from Paleo- highly significant. As early as the a number of sites around the South- Indian through historic period, were 1970s, Webb and Gibson called for east to determine if mound con- represented at the site. In 1970, the site’s preservation and urged the struction at those sites also began in noted Louisiana archaeologists landowner to refrain from farming the Middle Archaic period. Their Clarence Webb and Jon Gibson the site. The owners agreed, and the work has led to some remarkable mapped Caney and excavated por- site remained intact until 1998, when new discoveries. Among the most tions of the site. Along with producing new owners permitted an irrigation significant of these discoveries is the first map of the site, they uncov- pivot to be erected on the site and Saunders’ recent work at the Caney ered significant occupations from the cultivation to creep onto the lower Mounds in Louisiana. Poverty Point and Marksville (a local portions of the mounds. The Caney Mounds site is a 78- derivative of Hopewellian Culture, In 2000, after completing his acre, six-mound complex located in c. 200 B.C.– A.D. 400) phases. groundbreaking work at Watson eastern Louisiana that was first Based on their findings, Gibson Brake, Saunders turned his attention recorded by James Ford of Harvard and Webb reasonably concluded that to other mound groups in Louisiana University in 1933. Ford was followed the mounds at Caney must be that he thought could contain Mid-

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NEW POINT-2

acquisition

dle Archaic mounds. Gibson and Webb’s map of the Caney with Watson Brake and other sites,” he explained. “But, Mounds soon caught his attention. Caney and Watson with only two radiocarbon dates, I would have to say that I Brake sites are of similar size and both contain an arc of think that Caney is more likely contemporaneous with mounds that follow a Pleistocene escarpment. The Caney other sites like Watson Brake.” complex contains an arc of five mounds that follow the es- Beginning in 1997, the Conservancy tried unsuccess- carpment, plus a sixth mound located to the west across a fully to acquire the Caney Mounds. The property changed broad open plaza. Like Watson Brake and Frenchman’s hands twice during that time. Finally, thanks to POINT Pro- Bend, Caney was located along the same ancient channel gram funds and willing sellers, the Conservancy purchased of the . the site late last year. Saunders cored the mounds at Caney to determine if “The remarkable thing about Caney that is different they had Middle Archaic period origins. His coring pro- from the other pure Middle Archaic sites,” said Saunders, duced materials that yielded two radiocarbon dates with a “is that Caney is a multi-component site. It was reoccupied calibrated range of 3540–3360 B.C. and 3630–3370 B.C., per- by various later cultures. Though coring and pedogenesis haps indicating that Caney is the oldest mound complex indicate that at least some of the mounds were con- known. Researchers of the Archaic period, such as Brigham structed in the Middle Archaic period, I think it’s likely Young’s John Clark and the University of Florida’s Ken Sas- that later cultures augmented the mounds and possibly saman, have asserted that Caney is the benchmark site for constructed a couple others themselves.” More work the Middle Archaic, and that its design is possibly the pro- needs to be done to determine when each mound was totype for all other mound sites of the era. But Saunders constructed. “It will be a great site for comparative study disagrees. “It’s true that Caney has a number of similarities for Middle Archaic, Poverty Point, and Marksville Periods.” —Alan Gruber POINT Acquisitions

Caney The Protect Our Irreplaceable National Mounds Bayou Treasures (POINT) Program was designed Portage to save significant sites that are in Guidry immediate danger of destruction.

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CONSERVANCY FieldNotes

La Gila Encantada Research Continues SOUTHWEST—Last July, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, archaeologists Barbara Roth, Robert Hickson, Jodi Dalton, and their crew conducted a magnetometer survey and excavated a couple of pithouses and one extra- mural hearth at La Gila Encantada, a Three Circle-phase pithouse village near Silver City, New Mexico. The magnetometer study identified a cluster of structures at the north and south ends of the site and a large de- pression in the middle, a layout found at other sites along the nearby . The pithouses were large, deep,

and well constructed, with plastered JAKE HICKERSON hearths and floors, and large central Researchers work at La Gila Encantada. They excavated a few large, well-constructed pithouses with posts. This type of construction indi- plastered hearths and floors. The recovered artifacts include projectile points and plant-processing tools. cates a sedentary occupation. How- ever, a large internal storage pit, the The biggest difference between POINT acquisition of a small parcel kind indicative of seasonal rather than La Gila Encantada and the sites along of land on the eastern wall of the year-round occupation of the site, was the Mimbres River appears to be that Old Fort Earthworks in South Shore, located inside one of the features. Ar- groups at La Gila Encantada did not , across the river from tifacts recovered from the site also in- live at the site permanently, but in- Portsmouth, Ohio. The Portsmouth dicated that groups might have been stead moved around more than was area, at the confluence of the Scioto living there during the winter, rather previously thought. More research and Ohio rivers, was a center of cer- than year-round. is planned for next summer to ad- emonial activity during the Hopewell Numerous plant-processing tools dress more questions about habita- period, circa 100 B.C.toA.D. 400. like choppers were recovered from tion patterns and trade relationships A complicated and sprawling the site, as were a few manos and between upland and riverside com- complex of earthworks and mounds, metates. The remainder of the tools munities. documented as early as the 1790s, consisted of well-made projectile was located here. Squier and Davis points of obsidian and chert and uni- Conservancy Adds to mapped the Portsmouth complex faces made from rhyolite. The ceram- during their seminal study of prehis- ics include decorated and brown ware Old Fort Earthworks Preserve toric earthworks in the 1840s, and similar in style and form to those MIDWEST—In November 2004 the the University of Kentucky con- found at other Three Circle sites. Conservancy made an emergency ducted a small excavation there in

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1939. The Old Fort Earthworks survives today as four home was going to be sold to a neighbor. The neighbor in- earthen walls about eight feet high enclosing an area of tended to build a swimming pool on the lot that would de- about 13 acres. Two additional walls extend at right angles stroy significant archaeological deposits. The Conservancy from the western wall forming a causeway. The comple- immediately began negotiations with the lot owner, and mentary causeway on the eastern side is no longer visible. took title to the lot and a 20-year-old mobile home. The Residential sprawl has been a persistent threat to the mobile home will be sold and removed and the lot will be earthworks. The eastern and southern walls were divided stabilized with a ground cover. This acquisition is the into lots beginning in the 1960s, and today they are mostly fourth of about 16 parcels the Conservancy hopes to ac- overlain with a collection of modest houses and aging trailers. quire to finalize the Old Fort Earthworks Archaeological The Conservancy learned that a lot with a mobile Preserve.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Q Ranch Archaeology Field Project scattered sets of households, each having its Late Archaic Bison Kill at the Certain Site May 12 – July 31 near Young, Arizona. The Q own set of features and burials. The June 1 – June 30, western Oklahoma. Ranch Pueblo is a 250-room, 3-story pueblo excavations will afford archaeologists the Excavation continues at the 2,000- year-old dating from A.D. 1265 to 1380. A smaller opportunity to study the changes in the social Certain bison kill site. The goal is to further pueblo of approximately 60 rooms and other and economic strategies and tactics probe the many kill and processing areas as prehistoric and historic sites are situated surrounding the transition to a diet well as expand into a possible cliff jump within the study area. Q Ranch represents one emphasizing a greater reliance on maize and locality. Students will learn bonebed excavation of the largest and most important prehistoric other cultigens. Contact John P.Nass, Jr. at techniques, soils and stratigraphy, and sites in the region. The Arizona Archaeological (724) 938-5726, [email protected] Paleo-Indian archaeology. Field trips to nearby Society has been conducting fieldwork at the archaeological sites will provide comparative site since 1989. The 2005 season will focus Virginia Commonwealth University-Shirley information for discussions. The site is on a on completion, backfilling, and stabilization of Plantation Archaeological Field School beautiful western Oklahoma dude ranch incomplete excavations in Pueblo I, and the May 23 – June 24, Virginia. This summer’s with horseback riding and all the fun of the continuation of a detailed architectural study excavations are part of long-term Old West. Contact Leland Bement at of the entire Pueblo I complex. Excavations will archaeological research at Shirley Plantation (405) 325-7215 or (405) 325-7604, continue at Pueblo II, in order to understand and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice [email protected] the relationship between the two pueblo units. Center. The research at these two adjacent Historical archaeological projects to be properties seeks to identify and comment upon Guinea Community Archaeological Project conducted this year include establishing the the role of the James River in the development July 5 – July 29, New York. Guinea was home location of the original ranch-house, and of historic settlements from 1607 until the to African Americans who worked for the elite documenting the structural changes and time of the Civil War, seeking responses to a “river families” along the Hudson River, one growth of the historic ranch. Contact range of issues, including: the spread of mile away. Guinea’s inhabitants had small Brenda Poulos at (623) 465-9038, European settlements and goods up the James farms along a nearby mill stream. The fifth [email protected] River from Jamestown to the fall line; the effect season at Guinea will continue excavation of of the movement of Europeans, and their goods the home and yard of Primus and Elizabeth Investigating Late Prehistoric Farmers and ideas, on James River Indian populations; Martin, who were the leaders of this in the lower Upper Ohio River Valley land use histories and settlements patterns of community. Students will learn basic excavation May 17 – June 17, Pennsylvania. The historic James River properties; architectural, techniques and artifact identification. We will California University of Pennsylvania field landscape, and style characteristics of James hold a workshop on interpretation of animal school will be held at the Hughes H. Jones River settlements; and the role of the James bone and teeth. Landscape use is a key issue. site, a prehistoric habitation site dated to the in Civil War military and domestic strategy. Contact Christopher Lindner at (845) 758- 12th and early 13th centuries A.D. On the Contact Amber Bennett at (804) 827-1111, 7299 or (845) 758-7628, [email protected] basis of nine field seasons, substantial [email protected] settlement and subsistence data in the form of dwelling outlines, over 100 pit features, and extensive faunal and floral remains have been To learn more about field schools and volunteer opportunities, you can view postings obtained. Students in this year’s final field on the Web at www.archaeological.org by clicking on the “fieldwork” link. You can also school will continue delineation of the order the Archaeological Institute of America’s Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities settlement plan, which resembles that of the preceding Late pattern of Bulletin by calling (800) 791-9354.

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Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed By Jared Diamond Reviews (Viking, 2005; 575 pgs., illus., $30 cloth; www.penguin.com)

The rise and fall of cultures and civilizations is a Hopi Oral central theme of archaeology Tradition throughout the world. Collapse and the is the sequel to Jared Diamond’s Archaeology best-selling and Pulitzer Prize- of Identity winning Guns, Germs, and Steel, which tackled the difficult question of how and why some cultures developed faster than others. More By Wesley specifically it tries to explain why European civilization devel- Bernardini oped technologies and immunities and allowed them to domi- (University of Arizona Press, 2005; nate the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. 256 pgs., ills., $45 cloth; www.uapress.arizona.edu) A professor of geography at UCLA, Diamond draws heavily on archaeological research to tackle the corollary question of why some cultures fail, but others do not. Taken together the The 14th century A.D. was perhaps the most two books examine some of the most fundamental questions of dynamic of any for the Puebloan people of the human development in ways that are both original and challeng- American Southwest. In 1300, the Four Corners ing. Diamond is primarily an environmental determinist who area had been abandoned and Puebloan people looks closely at the most fundamental elements of human exis- lived in at least 16 separate locales west of the tence—food and fuel. This work is limited to those collapses Rio Grande Valley. One hundred years later they with a significant environmental dynamic, though he freely ad- had coalesced into only three—the same three mits that factors other than the environment can lead to col- that remain today—Hopi, Zuni, and Acoma lapse, as in the case of the Soviet Union. pueblos. Through a century of unprecedented In Collapse, as in Guns, Diamond examines case studies to population movement these prehistoric groups draw universal conclusions, and two of his case studies are of evolved into the tribes of today. particular interest to American archaeologists: the Maya and Archaeologist Wesley Bernardini turns to Chaco Canyon. Easter Island and Greenland are closely related. Hopi oral tradition to help trace the movements Diamond narrows the cause of cultural collapse to five reasons— of these people, and traditional archaeological environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, techniques to confirm site locales. Hopi history friendly trading partners, and society’s response to environmen- is really a history of each of its clans that traces tal problems. More than one of these central causes is often a movements from village to village until arriving factor, and collapse can come very quickly—even near the peak at the Hopi Mesas in northeastern Arizona. of development. Diamond finds that each society’s political, so- Archaeologists are turning more and more cial, and economic institutions determine what response, if any, to native traditional knowledge to assist is made to these problems. their research. In this volume Bernardini It would be easy to criticize this study as simplistic, but that demonstrates how many sources of information would be unfair. In both Collapse and Guns Diamond challenges can come together to give us a much clearer the reader to examine fundamental questions of human devel- picture of what happened many centuries ago. opment that lead to fundamental truths that may be general, but make the point nonetheless.

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The Ohio Hopewell Episode: Paradigm Lost, Paradigm Gained By A. Martin Byers (University of Akron Press, 2004; 674 pgs., illus., $60 cloth; www.uakron.edu/uapress) Reviews

When Europeans first entered the Ohio Valley, they discov- ered numerous large earthen structures—mounds (often containing burials), timber constructions that were ritually destroyed and covered Touring Gotham’s with earth, and em- bankment earthworks Archaeological Past: usually in geometric shapes. For the next 8 Self-Guided 200 years these earthworks mysti- Walking Tours fied and chal- lenged archaeolo- through gists, who are still unsure of their New York City function and By Diana diZerega Wall meaning. Much and Anne-Marie studied in the Cantwell 19th and early (Yale University Press, 20th centuries, 2004; 200 pgs., illus. serious re- $18 paper; www.yalebooks.com) search dimin- ished after Humans have lived in America’s biggest city for at 1930. Only least 11,000 years—Native Americans, Dutch settlers, since the 1970s has a new African slaves, and people from most every country in generation of archaeologists tackled the the world. They all left their mark on the city in the perplexing questions of the Ohio Hopewell. The culture is form of a rich archaeological record. Fresh from the named after Captain M. C. Hopewell, whose farm contained success of their earlier book, Unearthing Gotham, the largest and richest of the earthwork complexes. It was archaeologists Diana Wall and Anne-Marie Cantwell purchased and preserved by The Archaeological Conser- decided to share this rich legacy with the world. vancy in 1980 and is now part of Hopewell Culture National The eight walking tours fit nicely into a pocket Historical Park near Chillicothe, Ohio. guide that will take you to a side of the Big Apple seen A. Martin Byers, an archaeologist at McGill University, by only a lucky few. You will learn of 1,000-year-old has produced the first book-length study of the Ohio trading routes, sacred burial grounds, and 17th- Hopewell in a generation, focusing on the mounds and century villages. From Wall Street to the Statue of earthworks that are the central features of the culture. Liberty, Queens, and Brooklyn, you will learn about Byers’s thorough analysis of the earthworks leads him to the lives of colonial farmers and merchants, embrace the theory that they were part of a world renewal Revolutionary War soldiers, and 19th-century ritual known as the Sacred Earth principle. Geometric hotelkeepers. The guide takes us to 87 archaeological shapes were the unique expression of the Ohio Hopewell. sites throughout the city. Each of the eight walking Their elaborate mortuary practices were a form of sacrifi- tours covers a different part of the city with different cial renewal of the cosmos. archaeological themes. Byers’s views are original and controversial, but they The authors say they had lots of fun putting are well documented and convincingly argued. This vol- this book together. People who use it will have a lot ume is certain to stimulate more interest and more re- of fun, too, while discovering New York’s rich search on one of North America’s most fascinating ancient archaeological past. cultures. It is long overdue. —Mark Michel

american archaeology 53 9.1.5 Spring pg 44-C4 2/15/05 10:13 PM Page 54

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVANCY

Effigy Mounds of the Upper Mississippi Valley

CONICALS, PLATFORMS, AND WATER PANTHERS When: June 9–13, 2005 Where: Wisconsin and Iowa How much: $799 ($175 single supplement)

In what is now Wisconsin, prehistoric Native Americans constructed about 20,000 earthen mounds, more than in any other area of comparable size. We’ll visit the best surviving examples of these fascinating constructions with an emphasis on the sites of the Effigy Mound Culture, the character- istic moundbuilder culture of the upper Midwest. Some of the sites we’ll visit include Lizard Mound Park, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Nitschke Mound Park, and the Pan- Thirty-one of the 195 mounds in Effigy Mounds National Monument are effigies. ther Intaglio. The tour will begin and These mounds are known as the Marching Bear Group. end in . UPCOMING TOURS Ohio Moundbuilders

When: October 21–25, 2005 How much: $895 ($175 single supplement)

Hundreds of years ago in what is now part of southern Ohio, a complex culture of moundbuilders flourished. The Hopewell and Adena cultures, which dominated the eastern United States from 800 B.C. to A.D. 400, left behind extensive mounds, some towering more than 50 feet high. Visit some of the most awe-inspiring mounds of the Hopewell and Adena.

Serpent Mound is one of the tour’s remarkable attractions. SQUIER AND DAVIS

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Chaco Canyon in Depth

When: September 17–25, 2005 How much: $1,695 per person ($230 single supplement)

Explore the vast cultural system of Chaco Canyon and the extensive network of outlying communities that developed in northwestern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado from A.D. 800 to 1140. We’ll visit spectacular great houses in Chaco Canyon and hike to some of the most impressive remote sites in the canyon.

Chaco Canyon boasts some of the most

TAC impressive ruins in the Southwest.

Cliff Dwellers When: October 5–15, 2005 How much: $2,095 per person ($390 single sup.)

They rank among the most amazing archaeological sites anywhere: walls and windows, towers and , all tucked neatly into sandstone cliffs. Visit some of the most famous of the Four Corners region’s cliff dwellings, as well as modern-day pueblos and several Conservancy MARK MICHEL preserves. is one of ’s most spectacular attractions.

american archaeology 55 9.1.5 Spring pg 44-C4 2/15/05 10:14 PM Page 56

Patrons of Preservation The Archaeological Conservancy would like to thank the following individuals, foundations, and corporations for their generous support during the period of November 2004 through January 2005. Their generosity, along with the generosity of the Conservancy’s other members, makes our work possible.

Life Member Gifts of $1,000 or more Anasazi Circle Gifts of $2,000 or more Anonymous Anonymous (2) Paula Atkeson, Washington D.C. Ethan Alyea Jr., Indiana Elizabeth W. Ayer, New Mexico Nina Bonnie, Kentucky Susan J. Bauer, Georgia Barbara and Nance Creager, Texas Janet Creighton, Washington Olive N. Brewster, Texas Jerry and Janet EtsHokin, Arizona Wesley Cowan, Ohio Arthur and Mary Faul, Arizona Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Cushman, Tennessee David W. Gibson, Hester A. Davis, Arkansas Jim Heckenbach, California Michael and Margaret Feuer, California Yvonne Johnson, Arizona Bernice Glozek, Nevada David B. Jones, Minnesota Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gunnerson, Nebraska Steven and Judy Kazan, California Robert S. Hagge Jr., Wisconsin Nelson Kempsky, California Coburn Haskell, Ohio Jay Last, California Nancy L. Holt, New Mexico Roland and Martha Mace, New Mexico Mark D. Menefee and Stephanie K. Wade, Maryland Mrs. John L. Kee Jr., Texas J.C. Morris, Virginia Rudolf Keller, Pennsylvania Dorinda Oliver, New York James I. McAuliff, California Robert A. Robinson, California Rick Minor, Oregon June Stack, Pennsylvania Frances H. Minton, Utah Barbara Ann Watkins, Nevada Robert P. and Willow Powers, New Mexico Karl and Nancy Watler, Colorado Lanny M. Proffer, Colorado Gordon and Judy Wilson, New Mexico Susan Mayer Reaves, Florida Carol Wilson-Tocher, Oregon Thomas W. Richards, Virginia Carol A. Robertson, California Foundation/Corporate Gifts of $1,000–$4,999 The Phase Foundation, Maryland Harlan Scott, Delaware James Sprowls, Arizona Foundation/Corporate Gifts of $5,000–$9,999 Kathleen Tweed, California Philip R. Jonsson Foundation, Texas Jon T. Walton Jr., Michigan Texas Historical Commission, Texas Patricia Widder, Arizona Malcolm Hewitt Wiener, Connecticut Foundation/Corporate Gifts of $10,000–$24,999 Robert Willasch, Maryland Laurel Foundation, Pennsylvania

The Advantages of Annuities TO MAKE A DONATION Tax time is approaching and many people are wondering if there are ways to reduce their tax liability OR BECOME A MEMBER while increasing their charitable contributions. One option that many Conservancy members have used is CONTACT: a gift annuity. This unique program allows the Conservancy to pay the donor a certain specified annuity for life in exchange for a gift of money or securities. The annuity payment remains stable, and it’s guaranteed for as The Archaeological Conservancy long as you live. Capital gains taxes can be minimized if you use highly appreciated assets to fund your gift. 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902 You will also be entitled to a substantial income tax charitable deduction in the year you make the gift. Albuquerque, NM 87108 Each gift annuity is flexible and suits your specific needs. For example, you have the option of (505) 266-1540 naming a beneficiary to receive the annuity. You also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped preserve archaeological sites across the nation. www.americanarchaeology.org

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CHAUVET CAVE BOOKS The Art of Earliest Times Jean Clottes

Stunning photographs of rock art from the oldest- known cave site in the world—one of the most important archaeological finds of the twentieth century. This large format book is the first publication Coyote Press to do justice to the extraordinary art of Chauvet Cave. 176 color photographs, 30 maps P.O. Box 3377 Cloth $45.00 Salinas, CA 93912 Specializing in Archaeology, Rock THE ART OF THE SHAMAN Art, Prehistory, Ethnography, Rock Art of California Linguistics, Native American Studies and anything closely related. David S. Whitley We stock thousands of new books and reprints, used and rare books, “In the masterful Art of the Shaman, a book as and the back issues of many journals. pleasing to look at as it is to read, David S. Whitley, an archaeologist who has written extensively on Browse or shop online at our newly and brings together ethno- redesigned e-commerce website: graphical analysis, art interpretation, and findings from the esoteric field of neuropsychology to shed new light on this mystery.” WWW.COYOTEPRESS.COM —American Archaeology E-mail: [email protected] The University of Utah Press 128 color photographs (800) 621-2736 Order online from www.UofUpress.com Proud sponsors of: www.californiaprehistory.com Cloth $45.00

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY FROM CAMBRIDGE

The Urban Image Ancient Maya New edition… of Late Antique The Rise and Fall of a African Archaeology Constantinople Rainforest Civilization Third Edition Edition Sarah Bassett Arthur Demarest David W. Phillipson $85.00: Hardback: 0-521-82723-X: 314 pp. Case Studies in Early Societies 3 $90.00*: Hardback: 0-521-83236-5: c.398 pp. $70.00: Hardback: 0-521-59224-0: 390 pp. $39.99: Paperback: 0-521-54002-X $24.99: Paperback: 0-521-53390-2

The Metaphysics of Apes Negotiating the Now in paperback… The Art of Greece and Rome Animal-Human Boundary The Cambridge Encyclopedia Raymond Corbey Second Edition $65.00*: Hardback: 0-521-83683-2: c.220 pp. of Hunters and Gatherers Susan Woodford $23.99: Paperback: 0-521-54533-1 Richard B. Lee and $55.00: Hardback: 0-521-83280-2:186 pp. Richard Daly, Editors $17.99: Paperback: 0-521-54037-2 $34.99*: Paperback: 0-521-60919-4: c.531 pp. The Parthenon and its Sculptures Michael B. Cosmopoulos, Editor Studies in Ancient $75.00: Hardback: 0-521-83673-5: 232 pp. Greek and Roman Society Robin Osborne, Editor Past and Present Publications $80.00: Hardback: 0-521-83769-3: 402 pp.

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MAKE YOUR MARK IN TIME. Some Conservancy members think the only way to help save archaeological sites is through membership dues. While dues are a constant lifeline, there are many ways you can support the Conservancy’s work, both today and well into the future. And by sup- porting the Conservancy, you not only safeguard our past for your children and grandchildren, you also may save some money.

PLACE STOCK IN THE CONSERVANCY. Evaluate your investments. Some members choose to make a difference by donating stock. Such gifts offer a charitable deduction for the full value instead of paying capital gains tax.

GIVE A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to make a gift of cash and securities today that lets you receive extensive tax benefits as well as an income for as long as you live.

LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY. Many people consider protecting our cultural heritage by remembering the Conservancy in their will. While pro- viding us with a dependable source of income, bequests may qualify you for an estate tax deduction.

Whatever kind of gift you give, you can be sure we’ll use it to preserve places like and our LAMB SPRING other 295 sites across COLORADO the United States. Conservancy Preserve since 1995

Yes, I’m interested in making a planned-giving donation to The Archaeological The Archaeological Conservancy Conservancy and saving money on my taxes. Please send more information on: Attn: Planned Giving 5301 Central Avenue NE Gifts of stock Bequests Charitable gift annuities Suite 902 Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517 Name: Or call: Street Address: (505) 266-1540 City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) -