Spatial Organization and Exchange: Archaeological Survey on Northern Black Mesa

Using data from approximately 45 square miles of land on Black Mesa, Arizona, this book explores culture changes—particularly population increases and decreases—between A.D. 800 and 1150. Analyzing one of the largest archaeological surveys in the American Southwest, these studies go beyond pre­vious efforts to explain culture changes in five ways. First, several hundred sites discovered in the survey are dated through analysis of small characteristics of designs on pottery. Second, patterns of population change are reconstructed more accurately by using dates from these studies. Third, changes in settle­ment types and locations help explain subsistence strategies of prehistoric people. Fourth, design characteristics on pottery and the nature of raw materials used to manufacture ceramic vessels and stone tools provide new information on social networks and exchange ties. Fi­nally, the data are synthesized, providing new explanations of culture change.

Stephen Plog is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Virginia.