An archaeological reconnaissance of the southeastern portion of the Navajo reservation Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Lee, Thomas A. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 10/10/2021 14:01:29 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/551860 AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE OF THE SOUTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE NAVAJO RESERVATION by Thomas A. Lee, Jr. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 6 6 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library, Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made* Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: I APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: Assistant Professor of Anthropology PREFACE The basis for this thesis was a program of archaeological reconnaissance formulated by Dr. Brail W. Haury, then Director of the Arizona State Museum and Head of the Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona. This reconnaissance was conducted during the months of June, July, and August, 1961, in the general vicinity of the Black Creek drainage on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The pur­ pose of the survey was to determine the nature and extent of the archaeological resources within the limits of the selected area. The knowledge obtained was of interest to the University of Arizona as an aid in planning its future archaeological research. I readily accepted Dr. Haury* s offer in the fall of i960 to undertake the field work with the possibility of using the data gathered as a basis for this thesis. The original area was outlined to include the major portion of the Black Creek drainage basin plus the area around Tohatchi and Mexican Springs, New Mexico. It was subsequently expanded to the northwest to include the region between Ganado and Chinle, Arizona, through the financial assistance of the Wetherill Mesa Archaeological Project, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. The Wetherill Mesa Pro­ ject was particularly interested in the nature of any Mesa Verde"like remains for aid in the development of the "Mesa Verde away from Mesa Verde" section of their project. iii ir The survey was accomplished with the permission of the Navajo Tribe (Tribal Memorandum, dated May 22, 1961, to the General Superin­ tendent Navajo Agency) and under permit from the Department of In­ terior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Agency, Window Rock, Arizona, dated June 5, 1961, to the Arizona State Museum and Department of Anthropology of the University of Arizona, Tucson, The field season began on June 1, 1961 and ended August 27, 1961, As was important, a half ton pickup was used for transportation and the somewhat delux accomodations of a small fifteen foot house trailer made up the field headquarters. This combination resulted in maximum mobility and security of supplies and equipment through the field season. The beginning seven weeks of the field season were spent in the Black Greek and Rio Puerco drainages. One week was spent in the Tohatchi-Mexican Springs area. Except for a day spent in the Luka- chukai-Tohatso-Greasewood drainage near Lukachukai, Arizona, the final month was divided between the Kin-li-chee Creek and Nazlini Wash drainages. The presentation of any archaeological report brings to the author the duty and the pleasure of calling attention to the many individuals whose advice and assistance made it possible# To Dr. Bail W. Haury, then committee chairman, go my sincere . I thanks for giving so freely of his time, criticism, encouragement, and the financial support necessary for the successful beginning of this thesis. Dr. William A. Longacre, thesis committee chairman and Dr. Raymond H. Thompson and Mrs. Clara lee Tanner, members of ray thesis committee, who gave willingly of their time to help clarify some of my ideas and much of my writing, are most gratefully thanked. Many members of the Arizona State Museum staff were helpful throughout the field work and Thesis writing, especially Dr. William H. Wasley, Archaeologist, who checked some of my pottery identifications. Dr. Alfred E. Johnson spent several afternoons with me dis­ cussing and criticizing my attempt to estimate prehistoric populations and I benefited greatly from his remarks. His aid and encouragement are happily acknowledged here. Phil Hobler, then Museum photographer took the artifact photographs used in this thesis, for which I am grateful. My sincere thanks go to the members of the 1961 University of Arizona Geological Field School, St. Michaels, Arizona, to the director. Dr. Robert L. DuBois, and his assistant, Mr. Dean Pilkinton, for sharing its facilities when they were most needed. Dr. DuBois and Mr. Pilkin­ ton's intimate knowledge of the reconnaissance area of which they gave unhesitantly was very useful. Go-workers in the general area of the 1961 reconnaissance have shown a high level of cooperation and willingness to share their own, sometimes unpublished, data. To Mr. Dave Brugge, Mr. George T. Guramer- man, Mr. Martin Link, Dr. Alan P. Olson, and Dr. Reynold J. Ruppe go my sincere thanks for the time and effort which each spent in my behalf. Dr. and Mrs. Richard B. Woodbury most willingly allowed me access to their own survey results. Their aid in the Zuni pottery identification and survey information is greatly appreciated. vi To the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Agency's general superintendent, Mr* Glenn R* Landbloom and personnel of the Reality Branch I owe my thanks for expediting the issuing of the survey permit* Among the Navajo Tribal officials who received me graciously and facilitated my work are: Paul Jones, then Chairman; Scott Preston, then Vice Chairman; John C* McBee, then Administrative Assistant to the Tribal Chairman; Edward 0. Plummer, Office of Land Use and Surveys; J. Lee Correl, and David Brugge, Land Claims; Sam Day III, Chairman of the Parks Commission; Martin A* Link, Tribal Archaeologist; and George Sutton, Tribal Construction Yard. These gentlemen introduced me to local residents, helped familiarize me with the area, and in all cases took considerable interest in ray work* Their cooperation was inval­ uable, and contributed no small part to whatever success the survey may have enjoyed* I remain greatly in their debt* I wish to thank all the Navajo people with whom I came in contact, those who ran as well as those who stood their ground to face my onslaught of questions, for a most pleasant and rewarding summer* The Indian traders of Arizona who offered me the hospitality of their homes, acted as interpreters and assisted me in a variety of ways are: Mr* and Mrs. T. E. Vann, Cross Canyon; Mr. Griswald and the late Mrs. Griswald, Nazlini; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Smith, Burnt Water* It is a pleasure to acknowledge their friendship and services here. The constant encouragement and aid which Mr. Gareth W. Lowe, Field Director of the BIU-New World Archaeological Foundation, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah has extended to me since my association vii with the Foundation have been essential factors in the completion of this study. His quiet understanding way and warm friendship will always. be remembered and esteemed. Finally to my wife, Eileen, who willingly sacrificed her own studies to provide part financial support for my college education and to maintain a well balanced home life, I owe my deepest appreci­ ation. Without her constant cooperation and encouragement it is difficult to see how this thesis would ever have been written. TAKT.rc OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS........ x LIST OF TABLES ............................................. xi ABSTRACT . .................... xiii INTRODUCTION............................................... 1 H orw>- c— Horw>- Problem • • . • • Area Surveyed . Environment . Physiography Climate ............ ........ 12 Flora and Fauna . ........................ lit History of Archaeological Work in the Reconnaissance Area . 18 THE S A M P L E ................................................. 33 Methods of Approach to Data C o l l e c t i n g ................ 3k Site Terminology ................... • . ........... 36 Chronological Framework............ kB Pottery Types .................... 51 Plan of Presentation .................................. 56 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS .................................... 60 The Six Localities ............................ 60 Ceramics . .... • • ............ 6l Community Pattern .......... ?6 Settlement Pattern ................. 105 Population ..................... 113 External Relationships