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Lava, Corn, and Ritual in the Northern Southwest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Mark D. Elson ,
Michael H. Ort ,
S. Jerome Hesse  and
Wendell A. Duffield
Mark D. Elson
Affiliation:
Desert Archaeology, Inc., 3975 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716
Michael H. Ort
Affiliation:
Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geology, P.O. Box 4099, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. AZ 86011
S. Jerome Hesse
Affiliation:
SWCA Inc., 343 S. Scott Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
Wendell A. Duffield
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, P.O. Box 4099, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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Abstract

Fifty-five pieces of lava with impressions of prehistoric corn have recently been recovered from NA 860, a small habitation site near Sunset Crater Volcano in northern Arizona. Archaeological, geological, and botanical information suggest that husked ears of corn were deliberately placed in the lava's path when the volcano erupted in the mid-to-late eleventh century A.D. Over 40 kg of basalt lava containing the hardened corn casts were then taken to NA 860 located 4 km away from the lava flow. At the site, the rocks underwent lithic reduction to expose the casts. We suggest that these "corn rocks" are indicative of ritual practices, perhaps serving as an offering made to appease the forces responsible for the eruption. Although both prehistoric and modern offerings are commonly associated with volcanoes in other parts of the world, this is the first evidence from the Southwest United States of possible ritual behavior related to volcanism.

Résumé

Résumé

Cincuenta y cinco pedazos de lava con impresiones de maíz prehistórico fueron descubiertos recientemente en NA 860, un pequeño sitio de habitación cerca del volcán Sunset Crater en el noroeste de Arizona. Información arqueológica, geológica, y botánica stigieren que las mazorcas de maíz fueron intencionalmente colocadas en la trayectoria de la lava cuando el volcán hizo erupción en la segunda mitad del siglo XI d. C. Más de 40 kg. de lava basáltica conteniendo impresiones de maíz se recuperaron en el sitio NA 860, a 4 km de distancia de la lava. En este sitio, las rocas fueron trabajadas para exponer las impresiones. Sugerimos que estas 'rocas de maiz.' indican prácticas rituales, y que quizás estas rocas sirvieron como ofrendas para apaciguar a las fuerzas responsables por la erupción. Aunque las ofrendas asociadas con volcanes son comunes en otras partes del mundo, tanto en la prehistoria como en tiempos modernos, esta es la primera evidencia de prácticas rituales asociadas con vulcanismo que se ha recuperado en el suroeste de los Estados Unidos.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 67 , Issue 1 , January 2002 , pp. 119 - 135
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2002

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