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Prehistoric Long-Distance Transport of Construction Beams, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Julio L. Betancourt ,
Jeffrey S. Dean  and
Herbert M. Hull
Julio L. Betancourt
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences
Jeffrey S. Dean
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research
Herbert M. Hull
Affiliation:
School of Renewable Natural Resources, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
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Abstract

Identification of spruce (Picea) and fir (Abies) construction timbers at Chetro Ketl in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, implies that between A.D. 1030 and 1120 the Anasazi transported thousands of logs more than 75 km. These timbers came from high elevations, probably in mountains to the south (Mt. Taylor) and west (Chuska Mountains) where Chacoan interaction was well established. Survey in these mountains might disclose material evidence of these prehistoric logging activities.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 51 , Issue 2 , April 1986 , pp. 370 - 375
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1986

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References

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