Archaeological Corn from Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico: Dates, Contexts, Sources

Archaeological Corn from Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico: Dates, Contexts, Sources

We report measurements made on eight corncobs (Zea mays) excavated in the 1890s from Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Seven of these corncobs were analyzed previously in a geochemical study aimed at determining the locations of the fields in which they were grown. We report radiocarbon dates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American antiquity Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 491 - 511
Main Authors: Cordell, Linda S., Toll, H. Wolcott, Toll, Mollie S., Windes, Thomas C.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New York, US Cambridge University Press 01-07-2008
Society for American Archaeology
Subjects:
Agriculture
America and Arctic regions
Archaeological excavation
Archaeology
Canyons
Carbon dating
Ceramic cultures
Corn
Corn cobs
Discovery and exploration
Fossil plants
Geochemistry
National parks
North America
Plants, Fossil
Prehistory and protohistory
Radiocarbon dating
Rooms
Tolls
American culture
New Mexico
North America
United States of America
America
United States
Pueblo Colorado
Chaco Canyon
Ancient excavation
Analysis
Cultivated plants
Maize
Morphometry
Dating
Archaeological site
Source
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Summary:We report measurements made on eight corncobs (Zea mays) excavated in the 1890s from Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Seven of these corncobs were analyzed previously in a geochemical study aimed at determining the locations of the fields in which they were grown. We report radiocarbon dates obtained on these seven corncobs. Comparing the morphologies of the eight corncobs with other archaeological samples of corn from the San Juan Basin supports observations that Pueblo Bonito cobs are larger and have more kernel rows than some other basin samples. The radiocarbon dates preclude the possibility that these seven corncobs represent modern or historic period maize. The dates presented do not support a previous interpretation that there was a change over time in the locations where this corn may have been grown. Not ruling out other possibilities, the dates obtained, the special characteristics of this corn, and its presence in older rooms in Pueblo Bonito argue for continued use of Pueblo Bonito for special purposes over many centuries. In Pueblo belief, as among many indigenous agricultural cultures of the Americas, corn is an important source of sacred power.
ISSN:0002-7316
2325-5064
DOI:10.1017/S0002731600046837