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Show Book R e v i e ws Kaibabitsinüngwü: An Archaeological Sample Survey of the Kaiparowits Plateau, by Phil R. Geib, Jim H. Collette, and Kimberly Spurr. Bureau *(k of Land Management Cultural Resource Series No. 25, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Special Publications No. 1. Salt Lake City. 2001. 480 pages, 46 color plates, 45 black and white plates, 23 illustrations, 25 maps, and 4 appendices. Available from: GSENM Kanab Visitor Center (435) 644-4680 or BLM St. George Interagency Office (435)688-3246. $35.00paper Reviewed by: Alan D. Reed, Alpine Archaeological Consultants, Inc., Montrose, CO 81402-2075 Kaibabitsinüngwü is quite a mouthful for a report title. In conversations, I will probably refer to it by its subtitle, as I lack much experience with Native American languages outside ofthe Ute place ñames of my home área. My objections to Kaibabitsinüngwü essentially end at the report title, and the rest of the report by Phil Geib, Jim Collette, and Kimberly Spurr is clearly written and rich in archaeological data and insightful interpretation. The report describes the results of a sample-oriented archaeological survey conducted between 1998 and 2000 by the Navajo Nation Archaeology Department (NNAD) for the Bureau of Land Management. The study área is part of the newly created Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in south-central Utah. Aside from its spectacular scenery, the monument contains large quantities of archaeological sites, as evidenced by previously conducted inventories. These were insufficient for adequately characterizing the monument's cultural resources, however, necessitating additional inventory, designed to permit extrapolation of settlement trends over broad áreas. The overall sampling approach was dictated by the scope-of-work issued by the Bureau of Land Management. The approach called for the inventory of 16,000 acres, using 100 units that each encompassed a quarter-section (160 acres). This constituted a two percent sample of the 800,000-acre study área. Implementation of the sampling strategy is described in considerable detail in Chapter 4. NNAD archaeologists elected to employ a stratified random sample to best achieve the project's goals. A stratified random sample was chosen so that topographic settings strongly suspected to have few sites, such as canyons and heavily dissected áreas, could be avoided in favor of settings more conducive for human settlement. Use of sampling strata also increased the understanding of variation of site densities within key áreas, and also permitted skipping áreas with especially poor access. The Kaiparowits Plateau consists of a series of benches that are divided east to west by canyons and north to south by cliffs. The benches, characterized by gentle slopes, comprised the various strata. Nine strata were chosen. Units within each stratum were divided into 160-acre quadrats, which were then randomly selected, with each stratum treated like an independent sample. The number of quadrats selected within each stratum reflected the proportion that that stratum constituted of the sampling universe. The sampling approach had considerable ramifications. First, the nine strata covered 185,640 acres, or 23 percent ofthe 800,000-acre study área. This means that over three-quarters of the study área was outside of the sample strata. The sampling approach, then, by no means was 109 110 UTAH ARCHAEOLOGY 2003 aimed at assessing settlement patterns for the whole study área. The sample provided insight into settlement patterns within the nine sample strata, and provided abundant site information, but provided little indication of settlement patterns in the canyons, badlands, and other outlying áreas. The selection of relatively large quadrats also had an impact on project results. Although the use of large quadrats reduced travel time and minimized the "edge effect," the large size of the quadrats resulted in the selection of comparatively few quadrats, and those tended to be more widely scattered than had the sampling approach been based on the selection of numerous, small quadrats. This may affect the understanding of variability caused by small-scale environmental variation. Chapters 1 through 4 provide important contextual information and describe field and sampling methods. Chapter 5 presents the results of the testing program. Thirteen sites were subjected to test excavations, primarily to derive dates to test the utility of site dating methods based on the condition of nondiagnostic artifaets and cultural features. Site descriptions and site maps are included, as well as thorough discussions of recovered cultural materials. The chapter includes sections on faunal bone analysis by Andrea Miller and on macrobotanical analysis by Lisa Huckell. Miller's section on taphonomy is especially well written. Radiocarbon analysis formed the basis for chronological interpretations. The project archaeologists subjected radiocarbon samples to macrobotanical analysis prior to processing to select twigs and annuals - short-lived plants or plant parts that accumulated atmospheric carbón over a short period. These materials were then subjected to AMS or conventional radiocarbon analysis, thereby avoiding the "oíd wood problem" inherent in radiocarbon sampling of long-lived tree trunks. The refined dating method produced high-quality dates, furthering research objectives. Somewhat as an aside, the authors mention that high-quality radiocarbon data from the Rainbow Plateau just east of the Colorado River suggest that radiocarbon dates of juniper seeds may be on the order of 100 to 200 years older than radiocarbon dates from maize, when the same components are examined. Examination of the Rainbow Plateau data does not seem to bear this out (Geib and Spurr 2000, Table 9.1). The calibrated ranges for the radiocarbon dates obtained from maize and from juniper seeds essentially overlap; both materials should continué to be regarded as excellent candidates for radiocarbon dating. Summaries of the cultural features and artifaets found by survey personnel comprise Chapter 6. Cultural features are dominated by small thermal features, but a few masonry room blocks, middens, granaries, and slab-lined cists were also found. The discussion of artifaets is especially insightful. Because the sampling strategy compelled archaeologists to examine widely scattered áreas within the project área, a good understanding of the raw lithic material resources was achieved. Local lithic materials were distinguished from nonlocal materials. NNAD analysts subjected lithic samples to heat treatment experiments, and thereby were able to understand patterns in prehistoric heat treatment of lithic materials. Of the 978 projectile points discovered by the surveyors, 315 were collected. Projectile points were placed into conventional typologies, and many of the collected specimens were photographed. The photographs are high quality and, coupled with summary statistics for point types, will be useful to other researchers. Only 12 percent of the aboriginal sites in the study área yielded ceramic artifaets. Ceramics were found at 38 percent ofthe sites in one survey stratum (Collet Top), an área that supported comparatively sedentary Anasazi horticulturalists. Classification of sherds was greatly facilitated by collecting "nips" in the field for removal to the laboratory for microscopic examination. Because temper is often an important variable for classification, and because microscopic examination is far superior to any type of field examination, the reader can have a high confidence in the classification scheme. Ceramic types attributable to the Virgin Anasazi, Kayenta Anasazi, and Fremont were identified, among others. BOOK REVIEWS 111 The discussion of Shinarump series ceramics, an Anasazi variety, is especially useful considering the problems that regional ceramists have had applying the series' types to ceramic artifaets. The chapter also describes a Paiute winnowing tray fragment and a horn flaker, perishable artifaets seldom found during archaeological surveys. Both were found in rockshelters. Chapters 7 and 8 describe the settlement patterns for the various archaeological units. Sites were classified into fimctional types, such as semi-permanent habitations, residential camps, processing camps, hunting camps, reduction loci, and storage caches. Distributions were examined by sample stratum and through time. Ofthe 689 aboriginal sites identified on the project, 46 percent were attributed to the Archaic. Early, middle, and late Archaic components were identified in nearly equal frequencies. Seventeen percent ofthe aboriginal components were attributed to Formative groups. Both Fremont and Virgin Anasazi units were represented. The Fremont occupation was not intensive and predated the Anasazi occupation by approximately 150 years (McFadden 1998). The southern portion ofthe Kaiparowits Plateau is thought to represent the southern extent of Fremont logistical forays. The Anasazi occupation is better represented. Two strata, Collet Top and Fiftymile Mountain, were evidently the primary locus of dry-land Anasazi horticulture and semi-permanent habitation; other strata evinced variation in overall settlement patterns, though most were occupied on a short-term basis. The Post- Formative period includes approximately 13 percent ofthe aboriginal sites recorded. Post-Formative period sites probably representing occupations by the Southern Paiute, indicated foraging activities by relatively small groups of people, Interpretations of prehistoric settlement patterns were strengthened through the use of innovative techniques for determining site age. NNAD archaeologists were able to ascribe many ofthe sites they discovered to archaeological units based on the projectile point or ceramic types found on site surfaces. During the first field season, however, they noted several variables that seemed related to site age that were seldom considered by other archaeologists working in the región. If these variables could be determined to be reliable age indicators, then prehistoric sites lacking surface diagnostic artifaets could be attributed to some other chronological category than "unknown." The surveyors noted that site age seemed to be reflected by the degree of patination and calcium carbonate encrustation on flakes and tools, by the condition and degree of scattering of cultural materials (especially grinding implements), and by the presence/absence of charcoal and the size of charcoal pieces in surface hearths and in middens. A sample of 13 sites was selected for test excavation to test the reliability of these variables for site dating. The selected sites were thought to reflect variation in site age, as indicated by the altérnate dating variables, and had exposed features suitable for chronometric dating. The radiocarbon dates obtained during testing supported the ages suggested by the alternative dating variables. Sites were successfully classified into broad temporal units, such as Post- Formative, Formative, and Archaic. Investigators found that sites with artifaets encrusted with calcium carbonate (caliche) more than .5 mm thick tended to date to the Archaic stage, whereas thinner encrustations indicated a more recent age. Chalcedony artifaets were especially useful for patination studies. Archaic sites tended to yield heavily patinated artifaets; Formative sites tended to have artifaets with little or no patination; and Post-Formative artifaets lacked any patination, appearing to be freshly chipped. These observations even permitted surveyors to identify debitage concentrations of different ages on sites, in the absence of conventional diagnostic artifaets. Ground stone artifaets, especially metates, tended to exfolíate or break with increasing exposure to the elements. Whole or broken metates tended to be recent, whereas metates reduced to small fragments were usually found in Archaic contexts. Charcoal within features exposed on the surface also demonstrated increased degradation 112 UTAH ARCHAEOLOGY 2003 with age. Charcoal in Post-Formative hearths tended to be as large as a fingernail and somewhat rounded. Within Formative hearths, charcoal had weathered to small flecks. Surface hearths at Archaic sites lacked charcoal flecks, but contained homogenous charcoal - stained soil. The authors acknowledge that a variety of factors affects all the alternative dating variables, and thoroughly discuss these factors. Overall, however, the altérnate dating variables were found to be useful, and especially confident results would result when múltiple lines of evidence pointed to the same conclusión. The altérnate dating method would benefit from additional chronometric dating, however, because the project's testing phase was rather limited. Because the authors' alternative dating methods are logical and easy to apply, they may have utility outside ofthe Kaiparowits Plateau study área, a premise that merits consideration by others. Chapter 9 discusses the 39 Euroamerican sites recorded by the project. The highlight ofthe chapter is a comprehensive presentation ofthe Euroamerican and aboriginal history ofthe Kaiparowits Plateau. Most of the sites consisted of Euroamerican camps associated with the early twentieth-century ranching industry. Other common site types included historie inscriptions and corráis. I had only one quibble with this section; most of the historie camps were dated by means of measuring evaporated milk cans. Evaporated milk cans are commonly found at historie sites, and some (e.g., Simonis 1997) have proposed that cans of different sizes were manufactured at different times, thereby making them useful for cross-dating. Other historical archaeologists object to using evaporated milk cans for cross-dating purposes, citing evidence that cans of different sizes were manufactured throughout the historie period in question (Jonathon Horn, personal communication 2003). Historical archaeologists should carefully scrutinize the practice of using evaporated milk cans to determine site age, and then publish their results in a refereed journal. Chapter 10 includes a summary of inventory results, an examination of the sampling strategy's effectiveness, and recommendations for future work. Several appendices are attached. Appendix B presents raw site data that will be especially useful to other researchers. An assessment of a work must, in part, be based on whether the objectives developed prior to the project were achieved. Geib and his colleagues defined two major objectives for their project: first, to provide federal land managers with an indication of the distribution of historie properties within a portion of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; and second, to better understand human use of various environmental zones within the study área. The first objective was driven by Section 110 ofthe National Historie Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to identify historie properties on lands under theirjurisdiction. Certainly, proper management ofthe newly defined national monument is contingent on knowing the nature of all its constituent resources, and the sample-oriented cultural resource inventory is an important first step toward that goal. The completion of a sample-oriented inventory by no means achieves compliance with Section 110, however, as the law seems to demand identification of all significant cultural resources within the domain of a federal ageney. Cultural resources are almost always managed within an economic and political milieu, however, and the intensive cultural resource inventory of the new national monument, or even its 800,000-acre Kaiparowits Plateau study área, would be an enormously expensive undertaking. This initial two percent inventory ofthe Kaiparowits Plateau study área is a laudable start, and clearly demonstrates the Bureau of Land Management's commitment to compliance with Section 110 and thoughtful management of cultural resources. The project's second stated objective, to better understand settlement and land-use patterns within various environmental zones and periods in the study área, is also achieved, at least to some degree. As the BOOK REVIEWS 113 authors point out in Chapter 1, modeling of settlement behavior can be conducted at múltiple levéis. One common approach examines why people might have selected a particular point for occupation. This approach usually considers the environmental and topographic variables represented at a site and compares and contrasts those variables to nonsite locations in the general área. This approach can result in the formulation of probabilistic statements for site potential at other geographic points within the study área. A second approach and the one used by the NNAD archaeologists, considers a space larger than a point as the unit of study. The nine geographic strata employed in the sampling scheme all have different densities and distributions of natural resources as the result of the interplay of a host of environmental factors, such as elevation, soils, and precipitation, and so may have been differently attractive to the prehistoric and historie oceupants of the región. A project objective, therefore, was to determine how site densities varied between strata, and to examine general environmental attributes that might account for the variation. Geib and his co-authors admit that superior settlement pattern modeling could probably have been achieved through the defmition of sampling strata based on other suites of environmental data, such as isoplethic productivity maps based on the resources important for human use. Unfortunately the authors found that such data were unavailable in the study área and that project funds were insufficient for developing such databases. The sample survey of the nine strata provided excellent data regarding the density and types of cultural resources within the sampling universe. Site densities ranged from .7 to 12.2 sites per 160 acre sample unit. The authors note that the low sampling fraction precluded a thorough understanding of the variation in site densities between sample units, and present recommendations for additional inventory to achieve that understanding. The inventory resulted in the identification of 710 sites, a large enough sample to permit examination of variation in site types of various functions. The discussions of site distributions by functional type provided insight into past land use patterns. Variation in site type through time and across the sampling strata was examined. Through these analyses, the objectives of understanding the distribution, diversity, and density of sites in the study área were realized. Small-scale factors affecting site distributions, such as those commonly considered in settlement modeling approaches that use points, rather than áreas, as the unit of study, were not identified. One would not know, for example, whether all semi-permanent residences were situated on canyon rims or spread out across mesa tops. The absence of such information, however, is not a shortcoming ofthe work, but simply a reflection ofthe overall project objectives and sampling approach. Chapter 1 implied that variation in natural resources might explain variation in site distributions. Such an explanation was not achieved; though densities of artifaets, features, and sites of varying functions and affiliations were examined by stratum, the authors did not fully relate the reasons for variation in a theoretical context. Kaibabitsinüngwü is a Class II, sample-oriented cultural resource inventory report, prepared in response to historie preservation legislation. Does the report deserve a spot in your library? My opinión is an emphatic "yes," for those with an interest in the cultural resources of southern Utah. Like other large-scale inventory reports, Kaibabitsinüngwü provides information about the distribution and density of sites ascribed to various archaeological units, basic information for students of Utah's archaeology. Because the Kaiparowits Plateau is along a zone of interface between peoples representing major archaeological units, such as the Fremont and the Anasazi, and the Virgin and the Kayenta Anasazi, the basic culture history is especially interesting and inspires additional research to explain the apparent archaeological variation. Like the best of archaeological inventory reports, Kaibabitsinüngwü examines the functions of sites in the context of the natural and social environment and produces a tenable 114 UTAH ARCHAEOLOGY 2003 model of settlement patterns and basic subsistence practices. The work not only contributes to our understanding of a geographic región, but also describes an innovative method for dating sites on survey where diagnostic artifaets or features are absent. Although the altérnate dating method may not work equally well in all áreas, it is worthy of consideration on other projeets. The report is well edited, well written, and has especially nice graphics. It also succeeds because the project budget was sufficiently large to permit the authors to go the "extra mile" in developing contexts for discussions and for thorough consideration of all project data. The volume is an outstanding example of an inventory report. REFERENCES CITED Geib, P. R. and K. Spurr 2000 The Basketmaker II-III Transition on the Rainbow Plateau. In Foundations of Anasazi Culture: The Basketmaker- Pueblo Transition, edited by P. F. Reed, pp. 175-200. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City. McFadden, D. A. 1998 Formative Settlement on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A Tale of Two Adaptations. In Learning From the Land: Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument Science Symposium Proceedings, edited by L. M. Hill, pp. 91-102. Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake City. Simonis, D. 1997 The Simonis Milk Can Guide. In NewsMAC, the Newsletter ofthe New México Archaeological Council, Albuquerque. Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points ofthe Southwestern United States, by Noel D. Justice. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana. 2002. 427 pages, 34 figures, 8 color plates, 52 maps. $59.95 cloth Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin, by Noel D. Justice. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indiana. 2002. 531 pages, 37 figures, 8 color plates, 53 maps. $59.95 cloth Reviewed by: Pat Paeper, Utah Valley Chapter, Utah Statewide Archaeological Society Anyone who has sat with an unidentified point in hand while poring over reference works will appreciate these books. As in his previous books in this series, Noel Justice takes great care to construct classifi-cations and to organize his material in a manner that leads the researcher easily to the desired section. The color plates are placed cióse to the front of the books, and a chart containing a numbered outline of each point shown accompanies every píate. Further, each point is identified and briefly described, including the material used in its manufacture. The site where it was found and the collection where it now resides are also identified, and the corresponding drawing, il-lustrated in the body of the book, is referenced. A useful identification key follows the color plates. Each general type, which the author has grouped as "clusters", is shown in silhouette, making it a simple matter to go directly to the most appropriate section in the body of each book. While some of the material is repetitive out of necessity, the general introduction in each book is long and richly detailed. The author begins with an explanation of how he determined each cluster classification, basing it on similar shapes, comparable ages, and distribution. Where appropriate, the clusters are then further divided into types based on variations within the clusters. Thus, the Clovis Cluster stands alone while the Northern Side-notched Cluster breaks down into |
