Contexts of Ash Deposits in Jornada Mogollon Pithouse and Pueblo Settlements and Reflections on Their Meanings

Summary

The archaeological identification of intentionally deposited layers of ash at Jornada pueblo and pithouse settlements is complicated by several factors and intentional ash deposits are seldom identified unless preserved in a sealed context or buried by a layer of impermeable natural sediment or cultural deposits. When clear evidence of intentional ash deposition is observed, it may be assumed that there was a significant meaning underlying the inclusion of ash in a special context or deposit. Ash is commonly found below adobe caps in sealed floor hearths and termination pits of Jornada pueblo rooms as well as thin layers spread over abandoned and sealed floors. Ash is also associated with layers of burned roof material as part of ritual termination of architecture. Intentional ash deposits have occasionally been found in pithouse floor hearths, and there is evidence of ash layers associated with deposits of ritual paraphernalia in certain caves. Contexts where ash deposits are not present, such as burials and dedicatory deposits, are of further interest because they allow for a comparative contextual analysis. Contexts where intentional ash deposition has and has not been documented will be reviewed and interpretations of the meaning of such deposits will be presented.

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): 19998