The legacy of the Río Sonora Project and other early research in Sonora, Mexico

The 1960s and 1970s were a seminal period for archaeology in the state of Sonora, Mexico. These decades saw the first intensive large-scale research as well as the establishment of a regional office in Hermosillo of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), led by Beatriz Braniff and Arturo Oliveros. This session focuses on the work of Richard Pailes and his compatriots who coordinated archaeological research in the low sierra region of Sonora. These early investigators repeatedly ventured into archaeologically-unknown territory. Their efforts provided us with extensive knowledge about the prehistory of what came to be known as the Rio Sonora and Serrana regions. Many of the questions posed by the Rio Sonora project and related efforts remain salient today. Publications from this project continue to serve as the foundation for new research projects and constitute the definitive source material for those who conduct work in eastern Sonora. This session intends to acknowledge the work of this era. Papers are presented that reflect positively and critically on this early work. A special emphasis also is placed on recent investigations that build on this early research with new perspectives and techniques.