Who provided maize to Chaco Canyon after the mid-12th-century drought?

Authors

Larry V. Benson, U.S. Geological SurveyFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2010

Citation

Journal of Archaeological Science 37 (2010) 621–629; doi:10.1016/j.jas.2009.10.027

Abstract

Between A.D. 1181 and 1200, in the early part of a climatically wet period, corn was imported to Chaco Canyon from a region outside the Chaco Halo (defined in this paper as the region between the base of the Chuska Mountains and RatonWells). Strontium-isotope (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) analyses of 12 corn cobs dating to this period match ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from five potential source areas, including: the Zuni region, the Mesa Verde-McElmo Dome area, the Totah, the Defiance Plateau, and Lobo Mesa. The latter two areas were eliminated from consideration as possible sources of corn in that they appear to have been unpopulated during the time period of interest. Therefore, it appears that the corn cobs were imported from the Zuni region, the Mesa Verde-McElmo Dome area, or the Totah area during a time when the climate was relatively wet and when a surplus of corn was produced in regions outside Chaco Canyon. Based on proximity to and cultural affiliation with Chaco Canyon, it is hypothesized that the corn probably was imported from the Totah.