Strontium (Sr) Isotope Analysis and Provenance of Construction Wood at Wupatki Pueblo (NA 405), in Northern Arizona

Author(s): Mark D. Elson; Michael H. Ort; Kirk C. Anderson

Year: 2011

Summary

Strontium (Sr) isotope analyses of construction wood from the prehistoric Wupatki Pueblo in northern Arizona was undertaken to identify the source of the wood, given that Wupatki is located 20-30 km north of areas where suitable high elevation pine and fir trees are found. Unfortunately, due to the presence of high levels of blown-in dust, the Sr analysis of potential wood source areas could not distinguish between them, negating this research. A secondary goal was to investigate the possibility that Sr isotope analysis could provide information on the dating of the eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano through analyzing and comparing Sr levels in pre- and post eruptive tree rings. Our hypothesis was that the deposition of tephra from the eruption of Sunset Crater Volcano would result in a decrease in Sr at this time. This analysis, although very preliminary, was more successful, with two of the four analyzed samples showing a decrease in Sr in the period between A.D. 1080 and 1090. These findings agree with data from other analyses suggesting that Sunset Crater erupted in the mid-A.D. 1080s, although further research is needed before this date can be considered conclusive.

Cite this Record

Strontium (Sr) Isotope Analysis and Provenance of Construction Wood at Wupatki Pueblo (NA 405), in Northern Arizona, 01. Mark D. Elson, Michael H. Ort, Kirk C. Anderson. 2011 ( tDAR id: 448339) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8448339

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Keywords

Culture
Hohokam • Huhugam

Material
Dating Sample • Wood

Site Name
NA 405 • Wupatki Pueblo

Investigation Types
Historic Background Research • Site Evaluation / Testing

General
Strontium Isotope Analysis

Geographic Keywords
Flagstaff, AZ • Wupatki Pueblo

Temporal Keywords
mid 11th Century

Spatial Coverage

min long: -111.405; min lat: 35.501 ; max long: -111.326; max lat: 35.541 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Prepared By(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Record Identifiers

Western National Parks Association Grant #(s): 05-14

Technical Report No. (s): 2011-01

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
TR2011-01_elson_final-draft_OCR_PDFA.pdf 999.72kb Jan 28, 2011 Mar 29, 2019 11:03:59 AM Public

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