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Critique of the Claim of Cannibalism at Cowboy Wash

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Kurt E. Dongoske ,
Debra L. Martin  and
T. J. Ferguson
Kurt E. Dongoske
Affiliation:
Cultural Preservation Office, The Hopi Tribe, PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Debra L. Martin
Affiliation:
US Southwest and Mexico Program, Hampshire College, 893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002-3359
T. J. Ferguson
Affiliation:
Heritage Resources Management Consultants, 5000 W Placita de Los Vientos, Tucson, AZ 85745-9235
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Abstract

The article by Billman et al. contributes to a growing body of data that demonstrates the complex variability of the Pueblo world during the twelfth century. Although the article's title promises a comprehensive review of major cultural and environmental processes (drought, warfare, cannibalism, regional interactions), relatively little theory regarding these processes informs their research design, and much of their interpretation is based on weak inferences. Their empirical data are not used to test alternative hypotheses or rigorously examine expectations derived from modeling. Dynamic aspects of cultural patterns relating to migration, settlement, environment, abandonment, mortuary behaviors, conflict, and group identity are implicated in their research but are not adequately contextualized. Our response to the study by Billman et al. is intended to provide a critical yet constructive commentary, propose fresh ways of thinking about what assemblages of disarticulated and broken bones might mean, and reformulate how research questions are being asked.

Resumen

Resumen

El artículo de Billman et al. contribute a la creciente base de datos que demuestra la compleja variabilidad de la sociedad Pueblo durante el siglo XII. Aunque el titulo del articulo promete una revisión comprensiva de procesos culturales y medioarnbientales importantes (sequia, guerra, canibalismo, interacción regional), su disceño de investigación incorpora relativamente poca teoría acerca de estos procesos y muchas de sus interpretaciones están basadas en inferencias débiles. Los autores no utilizan sus datos para probar hipótesis altemas o examinar rigurosamente las expectativas derivadas de modelos. Los aspectos dinámicos de patrones culturales relacionados con migración, asentamiento, medioambiente, abandono, conducta mortuoria, conflicto, e identidad de grupo se implican en su investigación pero no se contextualizan adecuadamente. Nuestra respuesta al estudio de Billman et al. trata de proveer un comentario crítico constructive, propone nuevas maneras de pensar sobre el significado de conjuntos de huesos rotos y desarticulados, y reformula las preguntas que guían la investigación.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 65 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 179 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2000

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