EMAP Alivas Canyon - LA44997 Unit 2, 1997

Summary

The majority of Unit 2 at LA 44997 was excavated in the summer of 1997 as part of the Eastern Mimbres Archaeological Project (EMAP) and the Arizona State University Archaeological Field School, directed by Dr. Margaret Nelson and Dr. Michelle Hegmon. LA 44997 is located in alluvial fan deposits on the edge of Avilas Canyon drainage, a tributary of the Palomas drainage, which flows eastward into the Rio Grande. In this area, Avilas Canyon cuts through a rich alluvial fan. Avilas Canyon drainage presently flows intermittently, although in the past a spring may have flowed year-round in this area of the canyon. Vegetation near the site today includes grasses, cholla, yucca, thistle, and juniper. The site consists of approximately 12 rooms in a single room block, with an associated midden. A dirt road has been graded through the site, essentially bisecting the room block. Other disturbances on the site include rodent burrows, ant hills, and vegetation. This site was chosen for excavation because it fits into the EMAP research design concerning social reorganization during the Postclassic period (AD 1150-1300) in the Eastern Mimbres area. Due to its small size, the site was initially classified as a Postclassic period site. As excavation proceeded, the site was reassessed, and determined to be a Classic period site. Data from this site will be used to build an understanding of the Classic period (AD 1 000-1150) in the Eastern Mimbres area.

Unit 2 is a room on the eastern side ofthe room block. It is located immediately west of Unit l, which appears to be the easternmost room in the pueblo. Unit 2 was chosen for excavation because it was eroding into the road cut and because we wanted to follow the northern wall westward from Unit 1, which was the most clearly defined room on the surface. This summary of the 1997 excavation of Unit 2 presents the excavation strategy for the unit, a depositional history of the room, information on the construction of Unit 2, an assessment of the unit in light of the EMAP research design, and tables and graphs which illustrate the excavation and features of Unit 2.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EMAP - Unit Summaries

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Principal Investigator(s): Michelle Hegmon; Margaret C. Nelson

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