An Analysis of Biscuit Ware Ceramic Standardization in the Lower Chama Watershed, New Mexico

Summary

The Classic period (AD 1350-1598) in the Lower Chama Watershed of New Mexico was a time of rapid population growth and coalescence. Despite these dynamic population shifts, this time remains largely understudied. In this research, I examine the social dynamics of coalescence in the Lower Chama Watershed by analyzing changes in biscuit ware production at Sapa’uinge (LA 306), the largest Classic period pueblo in the region. Biscuit ware is a locally produced whiteware common at Sapa’uinge which makes it a good proxy for local changes in production. Archaeologists have proposed that biscuit ware ceramic become more standardized over the Classic period. In this study, I use an attribute analysis to investigate changes in biscuit ware production and standardization at Sapa’uinge over the site’s occupation to test if biscuit ware indeed becomes more standardized. I argue that biscuit ware does become more standardized over time and is reflective of the broader social and economic consequences of coalescence in the Lower Chama Watershed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21862