The Use-Life of a Denver Cistern: A Multi Proxy Geochemical and Micromorphological Study

Summary

This is an abstract from the "City and Country in the American West:Post-1848 Historical Archaeologies of Denver and Los Angeles" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

A multi-proxy artifactual, sedimentological, micromorphological, and geochemical investigation of soils collected from a community cistern (Denver, USA) elucidate its use-life regarding westward late nineteenth century Euro-American settlement and early twentieth century residential household and industrial activities. This analysis identifies fifteen depositional strata within the cistern to clarify site formation and evolution over time. Results reveal distinct phases of use, obsolescence, and reuse that inform us about neighborhood water management practices, the impact of technological advancements, and the evolving needs of communities. The preservation and study of cisterns offer important lessons for the study of urban soil development and household practices.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• City and Country in the American West:Post-1848 Historical Archaeologies of Denver and Los Angeles

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 52983