Indicators of Athabaskan Presence in Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Recent Research in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Northern New Mexico" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Recent archaeological survey conducted within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument indicates the use of the area by Paleoindian, Archaic, and Pueblo groups. However, evidence has been found which may also indicate an Athabaskan presence at Cerro del Aire and Guadalupe Mountain. Though Athabaskan groups began arriving in the area near Taos Pueblo in the late 1400s or early 1500s, their impression on Cerro del Aire has seemed ephemeral at best. This paper will explore the evidence which suggests the presence of Athabaskan or other Plains Nomad groups at Cerro del Aire and the surrounding area. The evidence was collected during recent survey in the area and includes lithic tools and metal tinklers. Remains of tipi rings have also been found at nearby sites that had been recorded previously. Considering the presence of an Athabaskan or other Plains Nomad group extends our understanding of the use of this area in the prehistoric and historic past.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Recent Research in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, Northern New Mexico   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25023