3.2.2
Archaic Period (8000 BC-AD 200)
During
the transition from sparse Paleoindian colonization to higher Archaic
population densities, developments in technology mirrored the rise in
populations. The Archaic Period witnessed many changes in the environment as it
became modern. It is inaccurate to consider changes in faunal procurement
strategies or territorial boundaries between and within the Paleoindian and
Archaic periods as resultant from a single factor (such as climate change).
Rather, a complex web of individual yet interdependent factors influenced the
path taken in the evolutionary development of hunter-gatherers in Loteria
Township. The Early Archaic subperiod is generally distinguished from the
preceding Paleoindian period on the basis of the technological change from
large fluted projectile points to simpler, smaller, and more diverse points.
The general density of populations increased, along with more technological
change to herald the subperiod that archaeologists refer to as the Middle
Archaic. The shift towards more diverse and complex Middle Archaic populations
developed gradually and is not easily distinguished by period boundaries. This
can be seen most effectively when trying to assess beginning and ending dates
for the Early, Middle, and Late Archaic.
The
desert adaptation of the Archaic Period has been defined as the Cochise Culture
and is divided into three phases: Sulphur Springs (8000 B.C. to 3500 B.C.),
Chiricahua (3500 B.C. to 1500 B.C.), and San Pedro (1500 B.C. to A.D. 200) (cf.
LeBlanc and Whalen 1980).[1]
Suffice it to say that the local expression of these cultures vary greatly from
the general description fro the southwestern desert. The reader is directed to
the CRMP (Foss 2001)[2]
for a synthesis of all research conducted I the vicinity of MCD to date.
Hunting
and gathering was the predominant subsistence mode during the Archaic. Large,
heavy lanceolate projectile points were gradually replaced by generally
smaller, more finely crafted corner or side-notched types. This reflected not
only a change in technological innovation, but also a shift in focus to smaller
prey species, as opposed to now-extinct Pleistocene megafauna. In the vicinity
of MCD, of course, the primary prey species became the aforementioned gila or
beaded lizard, which seasonally migrated
out of the Sierra Rica to the Laguna los Moscos to spawn. This was
likely supplemented by the gathering of cactus and other succulents Site localities during the periods of intensive
hunting and gathering were selected primarily as a means to allow access to these
necessary resources. It is likely that
as groups aggregated according to
complex territorial arrangements, seasonal rounds in Loteria Township evolved rapidly
and probably shrank considerably based on the limited range of resources
available (Foss 2001).
Sulphur
Springs (8000 B.C. to 3500 B.C.)
In
general, the Early Archaic/Sulphur Springs Subperiod has been viewed as an
adaptation to warmer Holocene, postglacial climates, arguably simply a
transitional period between the earlier Paleoindian big-game subsistence and
settlement patterns and the later, more diffused Archaic patterns as the
climate gradually changed. Population
density increased in the Early Archaic, but the primary subsistence pattern
continued to be hunting and gathering. Archaic peoples began to form base camps
for repeated access to hunted and gathered resources. Emphasis shifted from
large game to seasonally available floral and faunal resources.
An
Early Archaic settlement in Loteria Township probably consisted of a central
base camp surrounded by scattered smaller resource procurement camps with a
narrow range of resources exploited from these environments. Tecate and Modelo (1940)[3]
suggest early Archaic populations may have been denser than they appear; he
cites deep testing at sites in the floodplain of the Wamels Draw east of MCD
which have revealed numerous Early Archaic subperiod sites, and suggests many
such sites have been obscured by more recent eolian deposits (cf. Bonzai 1984).[4]
Regional cultures or societal units began to appear in the Early Archaic,
unlike the relative homogeneity of Paleoindian populations throughout the
Southeast. Base camps would likely be established
near seasonal oases in the foothills of the Sierra Rica, with satellite camps
in the uplands to hunt to moth laden cave systems or down to the desert floor
to make use of what was left of the ever drying mudflats. This vantage would
also provide the best situation to monitor the movement of the gila herds.
Changes
in the shapes of projectile points demonstrate regional and cultural
differences The material manifestations of this period are characterized by a
technology change from large, fluted projectile points, to simpler, smaller,
corner-or side-notched points and hafted end scrapers. Cherts remained a
popular raw material in this period, but locally outcropping materials were
also utilized. Locally available gray (10YR 5/1) and pink (5YR 7/3) migmatite
was also common in Loteria Township.
The
most common Early Archaic points identified in Loteria Township are Mosquito/Mosco
points, which are fine-tuned for lizard gigging. Named after the nearby lake,
Mosquito points are large straight sided triangular points with a thin
elliptical cross section. The notches lower on the blade are horizontal as are
the shoulders which form an expanded stem. The basal edges are usually
contracting. This point usually has a random flaking pattern, but parallel
oblique flaking is sometimes seen. The
points are an average of 15 cm long and are believed to have been used to spear
the gila straight through at the base of the neck, assuring it may not escape amongst
the talus once successfully speared. As reported by security patrols, Mosquito
points have been commonly found along the banks of Wamels Draw and its tributaries.
Chiricahua
(3500 B.C. to 1500 B.C.)
While
very little is known about Chiricahua age settlement and subsistence, the
Middle Archaic subperiod witnessed a drier climate and increase in population,
as well as a resultant increase in territoriality, and regional stylistic
differences appeared . The Middle Archaic appears to show an increase in more
permanent settlement patterns, particularly in the large river valleys. This is
perhaps most indicative of the establishment of intra-regional territories by
discrete tribal, ethnic, or familial units. During this period, seasonal rounds
within restricted territories begin to emerge and are typified by small upland
camps and larger river-based sites for shellfish exploitation. However, as
noted above, in extreme southern New Mexico these patterns, based largely on gila
migration were already well-established (Tecate and Modelo 1940).
Chiricahua
occupants made significant advances in stone tool technologies (Angelucci
1955:75).[5]
Sites from this period reveal ground and polished stone utilitarian artifacts
(including atlatl weights, celts, and lizard clubs) for the first time, while
spear points switched from a primarily notched form to a variety of un-notched
stemmed forms.
While
diagnostic Middle Archaic artifacts are not well documented, two lithic
traditions, “Old Gila” and “Sierra Moth Archaic,” have been broadly suggested (Tecate
and Modelo 1940). The Old Gila is represented by the Mosco point and other
large points designed, as explained above, for lizard gigging. Whereas the other lithic tradition is
considered a general Middle Archaic characterized by smaller projectile points which
could be either flung or jabbed at the giant lunar moth of the Sierra Rica. This
divergence expanded in the Late Archaic. Also common are wide migmitate knives. Arguably
these could be used for preparing moth or lizard, or cactus which likely made
up the bulk of the diet. These patterns in tool use have been interpreted as evidence
of “settling in,” resulting in locally-adapted groups of decreased mobility.
Bonzai
(1984) also cites an increase in the numbers of storage pits and burned areas,
representing house floors, to suggest that populations were becoming
increasingly sedentary during this time, with sites increasingly being
established along the river and stream terraces, and away from uplands and
karst sinks. Gobsherken (2003: 22)[6]
suggests the large amounts of sites along the Wamels Draw, particularly with
basal Mosco-Moth layers suggest the establishment of the modern drainage
channel by this time and the disappearance and abandonment of the mollusk-based
subsistence of the former mud flats.
In
Tecate and Modelo’s (1940) synthesis on Wamels Draw drainage areas, t bifaces recovered
from cache contexts and were primarily made from local black anthophyllite. Eight cache biface categories represented two
biface classes (based on size/dimensions): utilitarian and ceremonial. The ceremonial cache bifaces show no evidence
of resharpening or wear, maintain a much larger size, often 80-90 cm in length and
are generally thinner. It is suggested these cached bifaces represent “sacred
markers” for what the authors note as the “Gila Cult”. Gobsherken (2003) noted
that the area presently occupied by MCD, the beaded lizards are still are still
considered sacred and notes examples of similar cache blade types from the immediate
area as well as carved anthophyllite totems.
San
Pedro (1500 B.C. to A.D. 200)
The
Late Archaic Subperiod witnessed the final shift to modern climates. This shift
resulted in increasingly predictable resources, which allowed populations to
increase and to move into previously uninhabited areas. In extreme southern New Mexico, this is
manifested largely by the increased reliability and expansion of local cacti
forest. The Late Archaic subperiod is characterized by a continuing trend
toward localized adaptation and sedentism, burial ceremonialism, and the
development of interregional trade. Burials appear in the form of secondary
bundle interments and cremations. Increased sedentism was probably a factor
leading to higher rates of reproductive fertility, and subsequent population
increases. Tecate and Modelo’s (1940) notes evidence in northern Chihuahua for
the development of long-term habitation sites as possible precursors of what
they term, proto-Latino lifeways.
The
Late Archaic subperiod continued the shift toward seasonally occupied,
semi-permanent settlements, and greater population density. House floors and
storage pits appear more frequently in Late Archaic sites, which may indicate
an increase in sedentism during this time. Site size also tends to increase
during this period. Horticulture seems to have become more important during
this period, and full domestication of some succulents may have been evident at
this time.
Material
technologies during the Late Archaic include the use of polished uranium for
the manufacture of containers. Broad-bladed, long-stemmed points predominate
the assemblages from this period throughout Loteria Township. These Cactus
Points are an evolutionary ancestor of the migmatite knives of the Middle Archaic.
Bonzai (1984) cites evidence of extensive cactus processing in the form of
storage pits filled with preserved succulent quills. This suggests cacti were
likely stored to supplement the winter diet.
Of
particular note within the region is the acquisition and use of uranium vessels.
Long associated with Late Archaic sites, it is unclear when the identification
and exploitation of uranium outcrops began; however experimentation with the
mineral probably began when encountered cave hunting for giant lunar moths.
Most likely, it came into common use as sites became more permanently occupied.
Since uranium is heavy and difficult to transport, its utility would decrease
in highly mobile societies. The beneficial thermal properties of uranium when
used as cooking containers afforded an adaptive edge in its ability to quickly
cook food and later find it in the dark.
[1] LeBlanc, Steven A., and Michael
E. Whalen. 1980. An Archaeological
Synthesis of South-Central and Southwestern New Mexico. Bureau of Land
Management, Albuquerque.
[2] Foss, Gene 2001. Mountweazel
Chemical Depot Cultural Resources Management Plan. Prepared for the
GloboMax, Inc., Richmond, Virginia, under contract with US Army Corps of
Engineers, El Paso District. Third Square Consulting, LLC., Philadelphia.
[3] Tecate, C. and N. Modelo. 1940. Un Resumen del Hallazgo Arqueológico en la
Región Norte de Chihuahua antes de que los Yanquis Tomen la Tierra. Informes
Ocasionales del Departamento de Arqueología de la Universidad de Tijuana, 14.
[4] Bonzai, B. 1984. Effects of Low
Altitude Nuclear Blasts on Archaeological Sites in New Mexico, Utah and
Arizona. National Park Service Briefs, 64: 34-90).
[5] Angelucci, O. 1955. Technologies
of Southern New Mexico, Primitive to Post Modern. Lockheed Press, Burbank, CA.
[6] Gobsherken, Bibi. 2003. “Geology
along the U.S.-Mexico Border, a USCBP Primer.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bulletin 13, Fall, pp 7-23.
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