Alan B. Gelder and Dr. Joel C. Janetski, Anthropology

There are some compelling questions about variations in the subsistence patterns of the Anasazi that are still unanswered. It is possible that within the Escalante Valley of south-central Utah, the Anasazi practiced a more mobile lifestyle than is thought to be common—camping at some distance from their permanent settlements. Suggestive evidence comes from the ceramic remains of the archaeological site of North Creek Shelter (42GA5863). While the full analysis is incomplete, it appears that the Anasazi used this temporary site.

The Escalante Valley has been known for some time for its wide collection of sites from the Fremont Culture (Gunnerson, 1959). However, little is known of the Anasazi’s presence in the valley. A number of Anasazi sites have been identified to the south of the Escalante Valley, and there are at least six sites to the north of it, including Anasazi State Park near Boulder, Utah (Lister et al., 1960). However, until recently, there were no known Anasazi occupation sites in the valley itself, and currently only the site of Arrowhead Hill has been documented (Janetski, 2004). Even less is known of the lifestyle of the Anasazi in the Escalante Valley.

Both the Fremont and the Anasazi farmed. However, the Anasazi were thought to have placed a higher emphasis on farming than the Fremont, and typically remained close to their fields and their settlement (McFadden, 1997). The Fremont supplemented crop production with mobile hunting and gathering practices (McFadden, 1997). However, it is possible that the Anasazi in the Escalante Valley were practicing a lifestyle that more resembles that of the Fremont. If this is the case, it should be reflected in the archaeological remains.

Excavations at the prehistoric archaeological site of North Creek Shelter in the Escalante Valley were conducted annually by Brigham Young University from 2004 to 2007. The site lies at the base of a mesa, under a cliff overhang, which creates a natural shelter from the elements, and has been utilized by people for thousands of years. Ceramic artifacts are present in the upper (more recent) deposits of the site. The ceramic collection from the site of North Creek Shelter is composed of an estimated 2000 artifacts collected from more than 300 field specimen (FS) lots.

The Anasazi manufactured ceramics of differing qualities. The finer ware was sometimes traded (Anasazi trade ware), and the plainer, utilitarian ware was used in common domestic settings. Since utilitarian Anasazi ceramics were not usually traded, its presence would suggest that the site had been used by the Anasazi. Taxonomic characteristics, such as temper type, allow Anasazi ceramics to be distinguished from Fremont ceramics.

The ceramic artifacts were carefully washed, taking precautions when possible to preserve important surface depositions and the integrity of the collection. Individual ceramics in each FS lot were labeled for identification, analysis, and cataloging purposes, according to the specified procedures of the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, BYU.

The analysis of the ceramic artifacts has largely been conducted in two phases. First, the quantity and combined weight of sherds in each FS lot are noted, and the artifacts are assessed for ware, surface types and deposits (if any) such as fugitive red wash or charcoal, and modifications (ground, drilled, etc.). Second, the ceramic temper is analyzed by making a fresh break on the edge of a sherd, and examining the fresh break under a low-power microscope. Ceramic artifacts below a critical size were noted in the quantities and weights for each FS lot, but were not individually analyzed. Approximately 90% of the ceramic artifacts have passed through the first stage of the analysis, and roughly a quarter of the ceramics have been classified by temper.

Both Anasazi trade ware and utilitarian ceramics have been identified in the collection from North Creek Shelter. Only a few trade ware (or red ware) sherds have been identified. However, utilitarian Anasazi sherds are considerably more prevalent. In a sample of 522 sherds identified by temper type, 40 had the characteristic quartz based temper of the Anasazi. Of these 40 sherds, 21 were from three FS lots (sherds with quartz based temper were identified in 17 of the 55 FS lots in this sample). These three FS lots also had high ratio of quartz based sherds to all other sherds, with ratios ranging from 23% to 30%.

The spatial distribution of Anasazi sherds at North Creek Shelter is important. As work on this project continues, the relative frequencies of Anasazi sherds to Fremont sherds will continue to be determined. Provenience information, noted at the time of excavation, will be used to understand the distribution of Anasazi ceramic remains at the site.

There is reasonable evidence to suggest that the Anasazi did indeed use the site of North Creek Shelter. This is significant for a couple of reasons. First, this is further evidence of an Anasazi presence in the Escalante Valley. Second, the presence of utilitarian Anasazi ceramics at a temporary shelter suggests that the Anasazi may have been practicing a lifestyle that in the Escalante Valley that placed a higher emphasis on mobility. Further research in the Escalante Valley is needed to confirm this theory.

Sources

• Gunnerson, J. H. 1959 1957 Excavations, Glen Canyon Area. Anthropological Papers No. 43. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City.
• Janetski, Joel C. 2004 Fremont-Anasazi Interface in the Escalante Basin. Paper presented at the Annual Pecos Conference, Bluff Utah. Aug 13, 2004.
• Liester, R. H., J. R. Ambler, and F. C. Lister 1960 The Coombs Site, Part II. Anthropological Papers No. 41, Glen Canyon Series No. 8. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City.
• McFadden, D. A. 1997 Formative Settlement on the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A Tale of Two Apaptions. 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.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Dr. Joel Janetski, Lara Gelder, Jordyn Winters, Scott Jacobs, and others who have contributed to this project.