Soil Chemical Traces of Ancient Human Activities at Montezuma Village, UT

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Archaeological Research in Montezuma Canyon, San Juan County, Utah" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Many of the elements associated with foodstuffs and mineral ores were deposited in the surface of soils and floors of ancient dwellings. Phosphorus and certain heavy metals remain chemically sorbed on soil and floor particles. Soil samples were collected from ancient patios of two structures associated with the Basketweaver culture at Montezuma Village in southeastern Utah. The north structure was a multi room complex. High extractable P concentrations (450 mg/kg) were discovered in the patios on the north and south sides. Phosphorus levels were much lower in the patio floors of the South structure. Highest levels were found at the bottom of a wash located just south of the structure, likely associated with trash disposal. The north and east patios of the structure were shaded from the afternoon and elevated in P in those soils reflected their used in food preparation and consumption.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeological Research in Montezuma Canyon, San Juan County, Utah   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25033