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Evaluating the Construction Sequence and Population of Pot Creek Pueblo, Northern New Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Patricia L. Crown
Patricia L. Crown*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-24
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Abstract

Continuing interest in the process of aggregation in the American Southwest requires accurate reconstruction of population figures for prehistoric pueblos. Since site size (rooms/floor space) often serves as a proxy for population size, evaluation of site growth is crucial for population reconstruction. Problems in dating are discussed with reference to Pot Creek Pueblo in northern New Mexico. The construction sequence is interpreted using 236 tree-ring dates and wall abutment relations between rooms. Site growth and changing site structure are described. Calculation of room use life permits formulation of two contrasting models of pueblo growth. Construction and remodeling dates indicate a short use life for the adobe rooms. I argue that, although the pueblo grew in surface area and numbers of rooms, population size may not have changed dramatically from A.D. 1270 to 1310, with population increase before abandonment at about 1320.

Résumé

Résumé

El estudio del proceso de agregación en el suroeste norteamericano requiere que se reconstruya correctamente el tamaño de la población de los pueblos prehistóricos. Debido a que el tamaño de un sitio (habitaciones/area de pisos habitacionales) se usa frecuentemente para aproximar el tamaño de la población, es crucial que se evalúe el crecimiento de un sitio antes de proceder a la reconstrucción de su población. Problemas de fechamiento son discutidos con referenda al Pueblo Pot Creek, norte de Nuevo México. La secuencia de construcción es interpretada usando 236fechas dendrocronológicas así como las relaciones de contigüidaden la construcción de las habitaciones. El crecimiento del sitio y el cambio en la estructura del sitio son descritos. El cálculo del tiempo de uso de las habitaciones permite formular dos modelos alternativos del crecimiento del pueblo. Las fechas de construcción y remodelamiento indican un corto tiempo de uso de las habitaciones de adobe. Yo mantengo que, a pesar de que el pueblo creció tanto en superficie como en número de habitaciones, el tamaño de la población podria no haber cambiado drásticamente desde 1270 hasta 1310 D.C., con un aumento de población antes de que el pueblo fuese abandonado, alrededor de 1320.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , April 1991 , pp. 291 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1991

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