Historic Evidence of Social, Economic, and Gender Issues at Petrified Forest National Park: Variability in the Archaeological Signature of Historic Homesteads

Summary

The archaeological "wealth" in Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) of Northeastern Arizona is not isolated to the well-known Ancestral Puebloan populations, but similarly includes Historic peoples. The westward expansion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Northern Arizona represents a time of clashing cultures and a period of uncertainty combined with untold risks and rewards. Along the Rio Puerco in and near PEFO are five homesteads from this period that display different and unique signatures that suggest varied occupants and functions. From "Cowboy Camps" occupied primarily by males working the range to significantly larger homesteads that display evidence of women with Chinese and other fine porcelain, which is not seen on other contemporary sites, demonstrates variability. The diverse signature of these sites represents a prime case study for the varied peoples who came to the area now occupied by PEFO. These sites demonstrate that even in seemingly homogeneous times diversity is present, describing more facets of the historic homestead populations than is previously thought. A contrast and comparison of these sites demonstrates the varied archaeological signature tied to the early historic ranching culture of the area; a ranching culture that continues today with the parks neighbors.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22121