From Water to Land: Analysis of Prehistoric Shell at Wupatki Pueblo

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Wupatki Pueblo has a high concentration of prehistoric shell artifacts. Through a literature review, analysis, and spatial analysis, this research project examined the prehistoric shell artifacts from Wupatki Pueblo. This research project determined trade routes of shell to Wupatki Pueblo from the coast of California, Gulf of California, and Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, shell artifacts housed at the Museum of Northern Arizona were analyzed by species and artifact type. Spatial analysis was conducted on the artifact types by placing the artifact types into the North Unit and South Unit of Wupatki Pueblo to determine discernable user patterns. Ultimately this research project gives insight into prehistoric trade networks and the significance of shell objects to the people of Wupatki Pueblo.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 33160