Recent Work in Southeast New Mexico by SWCA: The impact of TRU analysis on how we define site boundaries

Summary

SWCA has performed seven data recovery projects in southeast New Mexico between 2015 and 2016 with TRU (Transect Recording Unit) surface survey, collections and analysis. Notable sites have included an archaic pit house structure, a bedrock mortar site and several coppice and parabolic dune sites. A summary of the excavation work will be presented, focusing on highlights from three of these sites. The results of TRU surface collection and analysis will be presented in conjunction with excavation data at six of these sites. We find that TRU surface survey and collection gives much better spatial definition for drawing site boundaries, defining activity areas, and excavation area selection. However in southeast New Mexico, with the majority of sites under some form of sand sheet, TRU analysis alone will not give perfect reconnaissance of subsurface feature areas. We propose that mechanical scraping, shovel tests, trenching and TRU surface analysis is the best way to understand surface to sub-surface site patterning. Recommendations for using TRU surface survey in relation to several New Mexico agency site definitions and reporting criteria will also be presented.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16028