Investigating Morphological Variation of Ground Stone Bedrock Features at LA 43414 and LA 121668 on the Mescalero Plain, Southeastern New Mexico

Summary

This report presents the results of a comprehensive documentation and analysis of ground stone bedrock features at LA 43414 (the Merchant site) and LA 121668. The bedrock features are located on lands administered by the Carlsbad Field Office (CFO) of the Bureau of Land Management and the New Mexico State Land Office. This project was funded under the Permian Basin Programmatic Agreement (PBPA) administered by the CFO. This investigation recorded and examined 359 ground stone bedrock features between the two sites, using newly standardized documentation procedures for bedrock mortars and grinding basins that were instigated by the CFO (see Murrell 2019). Structure from Motion photogrammetry was used to make high-resolution 3D models of the features, which also provided the data to gather length, width, and depth data for each feature. Additionally, qualitative attributes were recorded during on-site field work. A statistical cluster analysis was used to evaluate the morphological variation of the bedrock features and subsequently to identify six clusters or groups or similar features. The resulting clusters assessed in relation to a suite of related research topics including (1) exploring the functional and morphological variability of bedrock features; (2) correlating use-wear characteristics to potential function; (3) discussing the spatial distribution of bedrock feature morphologies and their relation to other features such as burned rock accumulations or pueblo remains; (4) examining whether the bedrock features were created through intentional manufacture or sustained use; (5) discussing the use-life of features; (6) determining the potential age and cultural affiliation of the bedrock features; (7) correlating the associated past and present plant and mineral resources using previous excavation data at LA 43414, ethnography, and pollen results; and (8) evaluating the possibility of ritual contexts for bedrock features at these sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Permian Basin BPA 10 Merchant Site and Ochoa Phase   •
• Permian Basin Programmatic Agreement

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Radiocarbon Date: 650 to 500

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Principal Investigator(s): Myles Miller

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