Classic Period Projectile Point Traditions in Southeastern Arizona

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Local Development and Cross-Cultural Interaction in Pre-Hispanic Southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Similar projectile point types were used by people in central and southern Arizona during the Classic Period (A.D. 1150-1450), a time when considerable changes occurred within the region. An analysis of over 600 points was conducted to examine how social, technological, and environmental factors contributed to projectile point design choices during this period. Metric and morphological attributes were used for comparisons within two areas in southeastern Arizona—the Tucson Basin and the San Pedro Valley. Comparisons between early Classic period sites in the Tucson Basin, where differences in social relationships and access to large game were evident, did not show significant differences in point attributes. However, variation in base morphology is apparent at some sites. Points from late Classic migrant enclaves in the Lower San Pedro Valley are similar to those used by local groups in the area. In contrast, differences are seen at a site to the south, where the presence of northern migrants appears limited. These results indicate that the use of similar point types is consistent with the growth of social networks during the Classic period, but base shape, the presence of serrations, and other microvariables can inform on technological traditions and cultural influences within the region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)   •
• Local Development and Cross-Cultural Interaction in Pre-Hispanic Southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 24903