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

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Available for download on Tuesday, May 15, 2029


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