Shaded Canyons and Mesquite Fires: 13,000 Years of Ethnobotany in Eagle Nest Canyon

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Archaeology of Eagle Nest Canyon, Texas: Papers in Honor of Jack and Wilmuth Skiles" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The value of several significant archaeological sites investigated by the Ancient Southwest Texas Project in Eagle Nest Canyon (Val Verde County, Texas) is a testament to the conservation and stewardship of landowners Jack and Wilmuth Skiles. From the beginning it was anticipated that these investigations would yield an ample archaeobotanical assemblage, as perishable plant materials are preserved in several dry rock shelters in the canyon. These fragile remains provide a unique perspective into the nuanced relationships between plants and the ancestral Indigenous peoples of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. The exquisite preservation, abundance, and diversity of the remains require a dedicated archaeobotanical program. Results thus far verify that the primary plant foods prepared in earth ovens consisted of desert rosettes, such as lechuguilla and sotol. Diversity of fuelwood indicates opportunistic selection of all available local resources, rather than preference for particular species. The assemblage suggests that the late Pleistocene landscape was characterized by taxa common in the area today, though with perhaps a larger proportion of woody plants. Use of mesquite in cooking features is verified at ca. 13,000 years ago. A solid foundation for future archaeobotanical work is in place thanks to the stewardship and generosity of the Skiles family.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Archaeology of Eagle Nest Canyon, Texas: Papers in Honor of Jack and Wilmuth Skiles   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39124.0