Dolores Archaeological Program Technical Reports, DAP-021: An Archaeoastronomical Reconnaissance of the Dolores Archaeological Program Area

Author(s): John A. Eddy; Allen E. Kane

Year: 1981

Summary

As a portion of the non-intensive investigations proposed for the Dolores Project Cultural Resources Mitigation Program in 1978, Dr. J. Eddy of the Astrophysics Department, University of Colorado, and A. Kane, Program Co-Principal Investigator, carried out a reconnaissance relating to possible knowledge and use of astronomy in southwestern Colorado Anasazi communities. Investigations were conducted at eight prehistoric sites: McPhee Pueblo (Site 5MT4475), Little House (Site 5MT2191), Cline Crest Ruins (Site 5MT2663), Emerson Ruins (Site 5MT4447), Yucca House, Yellowjacket Spring Ruins, Goodman Point Ruins, and Mud Springs (Toltec) Ruin. The data obtained during the reconnaissance were ambiguous; some structures exhibited no obvious astronomical alignments, while others revealed potentially significant alignments that are probably coincidental. More positive results were obtained from the tri-wall structures at Emerson Ruin, Yucca House, Mud Springs, and the great kiva at Goodman Point Ruins; measurements recorded along wall lines indicated that these structures may have been oriented according to north-south cardinal directions and to the winter and summer solstices. Several hypotheses concerning the use of astronomical data by Anasazi communities in southwestern Colorado are presented; these formulations can be used as source material for further such studies in the area.

Cite this Record

Dolores Archaeological Program Technical Reports, DAP-021: An Archaeoastronomical Reconnaissance of the Dolores Archaeological Program Area. John A. Eddy, Allen E. Kane. Dolores Archaeological Program Technical Reports. Salt Lake City, Utah: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region. 1981 ( tDAR id: 394790) ; doi:10.6067/XCV87M0BKK

URL: http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/co/field_offices/ahc/dap_documents.Par....


Keywords

Site Name
5MT2191 • 5MT2663 • 5MT4447 • 5MT4475 • Goodman Point Ruins • Mud Springs Ruins • Yellowjacket Springs Ruins • Yucca House

Investigation Types
Reconnaissance / Survey

General
Astronomical Data

Geographic Keywords
Colorado (State / Territory) • Dolores • Montezuma (County) • North America (Continent) • Southwest Colorado • United States of America (Country)

Spatial Coverage

min long: -108.603; min lat: 37.463 ; max long: -108.484; max lat: 37.591 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Principal Investigator(s): David A. Breternitz

Sponsor(s): USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office

Prepared By(s): University of Colorado, Dolores Archaeological Program

Submitted To(s): USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Regional Office

Record Identifiers

Bureau of Reclamation Contract No.(s): 8-07-40-S0562

Notes

General Note: As of March 2015, this and additional reports are hosted on the US Bureau of Land Management, Dolores Archaeological Program website; http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc/dolores_archaeological/dap_technical_reports.html

File Information

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DAP-Technical-Report-021-5.08-MB.pdf 9.62mb Mar 31, 2015 1:10:15 PM Public