Early Pueblo Communities and Cultural Diversity in the Durango Area

Cacao consumption during the 8th century at Alkali Ridge, southeastern Utah

“…We suggest that, once initiated, the northward migration process continued for centuries. The stability offered by this new subsistence system would account for the rapid growth of large pithouse communities such as Grass Mesa and McPhee villages in the Dolores River Valley (Kane, 1986) and at the Ridges Basin and Blue Mesa near Durango (Potter and Chuipka, 2007). The sudden appearance of the 8th century R/O and polychrome ceramics decorated with a non-local design system at Alkali Ridge coupled with our discovery that they contained cacao is in accord with this migration model.…”

Perimortem mutilation of human remains in an early village in the American Southwest: A case for ethnic violence

“…3). Based on these tree-ring dates, several radiocarbon dates, and fill sequencing, Potter and Chuipka (2007) have determined this occupation to be represented by three identifiable building phases (Fig. 4).…”

“…Large pit structures were built across the site, often adjacent to the structures that had been dismantled. The Ridgetop Complex was constructed on top of the knoll, an activity that involved the remodeling of the Feature 23 pit structure and the addition of Features 2 (a domed circular structure), 16 (a two-story wooden and adobe tower structure), and 17 (a palisade) (Potter and Chuipka, 2007). A fourth pit structure (Feature 19) was added to the cluster on the ridge top during this period.…”

“…Maps showing the pit structures associated with various building phases at the Sacred Ridge Site (fromPotter and Chuipka, 2007). (Courtesy of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society and Kiva.…”

Chronostratigraphic and Paleoenvironmental Evidence for Marsh Habitats during the Early Pueblo I (A.D. 700–900) Occupation of Ridges Basin, Southwest Colorado, USA

“…The archaeological record of Ridges Basin was thoroughly investigated from 2002 to 2005 during data recovery in preparation for the construction of a reservoir (Potter & Chuipka, ). Several cultural features in Ridges Basin date to the time period in North America when hunting and gathering groups of Paleoindian (9500–6000 B.C.)…”