An Examination of Food Storage Patterns in the Northern Southwest

Summary

The purpose of this project is to identify patterns in Ancestral Puebloan food storage across the northern Southwest between AD 950 and 1300. Using legacy data from the Grand Canyon, I examine characteristics of food storage in canyon environments and then compare the results to southeastern Utah. To combat harsh environmental conditions and secure reliable resources, ancient people stored food in sealed masonry structures, or granaries, protected in alcoves high on canyon walls. These understudied archaeological features can be explored to learn vital characteristics of daily life and long-term subsistence practices. Although food storage is found within Ancestral Puebloan communities, many granaries are situated at great distances from habitation sites, in difficult to access-areas in canyon country. Using a foundation of Human Behavioral Ecology, I evaluate variability in both location and construction style of granaries. Variability of food storage practices adds to the conversation of complex human interaction within and among other human groups, with the environment, and mobility strategies across the northern Southwest.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21921