The Importance of Sample Context in Dendroarchaeological Interpretation: An Example from Northwestern New Mexico, USA

Abstract

Archaeological tree-ring samples provide environmental, chronological, and behavioral information about past human use of the landscape. Such information, however, can only be fully exploited if sample pro- veniences and beam attributes are completely documented. This paper discusses implications of the sample proveniences, beam attributes, and dates from McKean Pueblito, an eighteenth century Navajo site in northwestern New Mexico, USA. Although the date distribution suggests at least three different interpretations of the site construction history, the contextual data indicate that the site was built in AD 1708 and remodeled in 1713. Areal contextual and tree-ring data from McKean Pueblito and other sites in the area are used to discuss larger scale Navajo behavioral and demographic adaptations to the changing physical and social environments of eighteenth century New Mexico. These examples illustrate how sample context at various spatial scales can significantly enhance interpretations of tree-ring data.