Award Date
May 2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Anthropology
First Committee Member
Barbara Roth
Second Committee Member
Karen Harry
Third Committee Member
Ivan Sandoval-Cervantes
Fourth Committee Member
William Bauer
Number of Pages
188
Abstract
Studying interaction in the precontact American Southwest has been tedious as various cultures had differing socio-economic structures resulting in various models used by archaeologists. The Mimbres Mogollon, who inhabited southwestern New Mexico from AD 200-1150, were a middle-range society meaning they lacked overarching rules and regulations from a governing body. This allowed for individuals, families, and communities to form and maintain their own interaction networks at the site level and makes applying a pre-established model of interaction difficult. This research focused on the Elk Ridge site, a large Classic period (AD 850/900-1150) Mimbres pueblo, to determine local and non-local interaction networks maintained by the site residents. Using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and ceramic style analyses on partial and whole vessels recovered from Elk Ridge, the production and distribution of local versus non-local ceramics styles was investigated. The archaeological context of these vessels was also incorporated to distinguish between the movement of goods and relocation of people. This study shows that Elk Ridge was an active participant in a local exchange network as a ceramic production center and had networks with non-local Upland Mogollon communities. These Upland Mogollon connections developed over time allowing for non-locals to move into the site and maintain their own cultural practices and styles.
Keywords
Ceramics; Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis; Interaction; Mimbres; Mogollon
Disciplines
Archaeological Anthropology
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Romero, Danielle M., "Sourcing Clays and Styles: Interaction Networks at the Elk Ridge Site, Southwestern New Mexico" (2024). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 5075.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/37650900
Rights
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