Alexander Kurota | University of New Mexico (original) (raw)

Papers by Alexander Kurota

KIVA, 2022

For more than one hundred years, archaeologists in southern New Mexico and the neighboring west T... more For more than one hundred years, archaeologists in southern New Mexico and the neighboring west Texas and northern Chihuahua have studied the prehispanic lifeways of the Jornada Mogollon culture. Identifying when occupations at Jornada sites occurred largely relies on chronometric dates and on cross dating of previously defined local pottery types – El Paso Brown, El Paso Bichrome, and El Paso Polychrome. Through a study of approximately 130 painted Jornada Mogollon vessels, this paper improves site dating capabilities by describing temporally sensitive El Paso Polychrome subtypes. This study was possible thanks to advances in digital media, museum collections, and substantial volume of new archaeological data, all of which remained unavailable even two decades ago. It is our hope that the newly defined El Paso Polychrome subtypes offer more accurate dating of sites and also provide a brand-new perspective of understanding the variation in painted designs on El Paso Polychrome. Article is available via Kiva.

This report presents the results of the analysis of 377 ceramics from the Casa Colorada Site (LA ... more This report presents the results of the analysis of 377 ceramics from the Casa Colorada Site (LA 50621) located on New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) property in Valencia County, New Mexico. Our study revealed several ceramic types of the Casitas series ceramic tradition, some of which have not been formally described. Therefore, we introduce two new ceramic types in this study, Casitas Brown and Casitas Red, and offer their formal descriptions. Additionally, our study also revealed the presence of two sherds from a Guanajuato Polychrome plate, a historic Mexican earthenware rarely found in New Mexico. The proximity of the nearby Camino Real likely would have played a key role in the capabilities of the Casa Colorada site occupants to access these ceramics. The documented ceramic data suggest that Casa Colorada was an economically important hacienda recognized regionally during the Colonial period.

Recent Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico excavations and site evaluation pr... more Recent Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico excavations and site evaluation projects in the Tularosa Basin have revealed a series of short term residences and logistical camps. Radiocarbon dates obtained from these sites revealed that they were occupied during the Middle and Late Archaic periods as well as during the Mesilla Phase of the Jornada Mogollon period. Our systematic data collection resulted in the emergence of patterns in architectural and thermal features and in overall site layouts. Importantly, residential sites such as Huesos Quemados (LA 62143) and Casas Vecinas (LA 62136) revealed that Archaic life ways changed minimally upon the adoption of pottery during the Mesilla phase.

RARE ARTIFACTS RECENTLY DISCOVERED ON WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO , 2020

This short paper documents some rare artifacts recently found on White Sands Missile Range. They ... more This short paper documents some rare artifacts recently found on White Sands Missile Range. They include an animal effigy handle, a miniature bowl possibly functioning as a thimble, and a fragment of an owl effigy vessel.

ON CASITAS RED-ON-BROWN AND SOME HISTORIC PUEBLO POTTERY TYPES IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO , 2020

This paper discusses poorly known pottery with red-banded rim designs of the Spanish Colonial per... more This paper discusses poorly known pottery with red-banded rim designs of the Spanish Colonial period in New Mexico. We present new data on the diagnostic attributes of Casitas Red-on-brown and also offer information on the vessel morphology. Our paper also offers a comparison with other similar pottery types in the Middle Rio Grande Valley and provides information on its possible Native American vs. Hispanic New Mexican origin.

Recent Office of Contract Archeology fieldwork on White Sands Missile Range, White Sands National... more Recent Office of Contract Archeology fieldwork on White Sands Missile Range, White Sands National Monument and Cottonwood Spring Pueblo revealed unusual high occurrence of flaked quartz crystal artifacts. The tools included retouched flakes, bifaces, cores, uniface, and projectile points. The data indicates a possible emerging pattern of increased use of quartz crystals during the El Paso Phase Jornada Mogollon.

Recent fieldwork at Cottonwood Spring Pueblo and other Dona Ana and El Paso phase sites in New Me... more Recent fieldwork at Cottonwood Spring Pueblo and other Dona Ana and El Paso phase sites in New Mexico's southern Tularosa Basin have revealed evidence for pottery manufacture. Pieces of natural and worked limonite have been found in proximity to jar fragments with yellow paint residues on their interior and sometimes exterior. Once fired, limonite turns red, which was used to produce either the red paint or red slip for creating El Paso Bichrome and El Paso Polychrome.

Recent Office of Contract Archeology site evaluation project on White Sands Missile Range resulte... more Recent Office of Contract Archeology site evaluation project on White Sands Missile Range resulted in the discovery of prehistoric copper artifacts. They included a copper bell, copper beads and copper nuggets and all come from El Paso phase Jornada Mogollon pueblos.

Spring 2019 Newsletter, Jornada Research Institute, 2019

In May 2019, the Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico conducted a reconnaissan... more In May 2019, the Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico conducted a reconnaissance survey of the parabolic gypsum dunes at Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO) in west Texas. The dune field is in several ways very similar to that at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico where OCA has previously identified a pattern of horizontal stratigraphy of sites distribution spanning from the Middle Archaic period to the El Paso phase Jornada Mogollon period. At GUMO, the dune field has undergone severe wind erosion in the past that has obliterated all of the so-far documented prehistoric features. As a result, site dating will have to rely solely on the association of diagnostic artifacts such as ceramics and projectile points. This paper summarizes the preliminary results of the fieldwork.

Pottery Southwest, 2019

This brief report informs about the discovery of two unusual Jornada Mogollon ceramic artifacts r... more This brief report informs about the discovery of two unusual Jornada Mogollon ceramic artifacts recovered at White Sands Missile Range in southern Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. One of them is a previously undescribed ceramic type Lincoln Black-on-red Coiled Variety and the other is a fire molded ceramics that may have functioned as a possible prehistoric altar piece.

Pottery Southwest, 2019

This brief paper summarizes the results of first ever identified cacao residue on prehistoric cer... more This brief paper summarizes the results of first ever identified cacao residue on prehistoric ceramics in southern Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. This study was performed as a cooperation between the researchers from Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico and Millsaps College.

This paper documents a little-known vessel form embedded within the broader late Prehistoric Rio ... more This paper documents a little-known vessel form embedded within the broader late Prehistoric Rio Grande Glazeware tradition. Original coils were left exposed and emphasized on vessel exteriors. As a rather rare, odd, and poorly documented ceramic form, this specialized variety of glazeware has recently come to light in the collections from several contemporary pueblo sites of the Pueblo IV or Classic Pueblo time period.

This study presents varieties of textured surfaces on Playas Red pottery found in southern New Me... more This study presents varieties of textured surfaces on Playas Red pottery found in southern New Mexico and northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Our research draws from a recent analysis of ceramics at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in the southern Tularosa Basin (Kurota et al. 2018), as well as the study of pottery from the Joyce Well Site (LA 11823), a major Animas phase village in New Mexico's Boot Heel, and other sites in southern New Mexico. We present five major types of textures on Playas Red: incised, punctate/smeared punctate, cordmarked, corrugated, and corn cob impressed. We also outline a dataset table as an organizational chart of all presently known textured variants of Playas Red that could be used as a field manual.

This paper documents the formation processes that have resulted into the formation of unique hear... more This paper documents the formation processes that have resulted into the formation of unique hearth mound features at White Sands National Monument. These hearth mounds can be several meters tall and visible from significant distance. In 2011, Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico completed a reconnaissance survey that has resulted in the discovery of horizontal stratigraphy model that relates to the distribution of the hearth mound sites within the parabolic dune field. This paper presents background research to dune field geomorphology combined with laboratory analyses and geological research conducted in the field.

This paper presents the results of the excavations of three sites project area on the White Sands... more This paper presents the results of the excavations of three sites project area on the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in the southern Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. We present an initial typology of Archaic period and Mesilla phase Jornada Mogollon structures and thermal features and provide a discussion of extramural activities.

Jarilla Site is one of the first sites in southern Tularosa Basin with evidence for prehistoric a... more Jarilla Site is one of the first sites in southern Tularosa Basin with evidence for prehistoric agriculture. This paper discussed the types of farming features and fieldhouse structures found at the base of the Jarilla Mountains a major source of turquoise in the Southwest.

KIVA, 2022

RARE ARTIFACTS RECENTLY DISCOVERED ON WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO , 2020

ON CASITAS RED-ON-BROWN AND SOME HISTORIC PUEBLO POTTERY TYPES IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, NEW MEXICO , 2020

Spring 2019 Newsletter, Jornada Research Institute, 2019

Pottery Southwest, 2019

Archaeology of White Sands Missile Range: Evaluation of 36 Sites and Implementation of Protective Measures between Highway 70 and Nike Avenue, Otero and Dona Ana Counties, New Mexico, Volume 3 (2018), 2018

Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), Univer... more Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), University of New Mexico performed evaluations of 36 archaeological sites in the southern White Sands Missile Range of Otero and Doña Ana Counties, New Mexico. Our project area was located between Highway 70 on the north and Nike Avenue on the south and from the Jarilla Mountains on the east to the Organ Mountains on the west. The objective of the evaluations was to provide in-depth assessments of future research potential at each site based on the presence of intact features or buried cultural deposits. A series of archaeological testing methods were employed to meet this objective, including partial feature excavations, as well as the placing of grid excavation units and backhoe or hand trenches at selected site areas. A second objective of the project was to implement protective measures in areas where potential vehicular traffic could cause damage to the cultural resources at each site. For this purpose, Seibert stakes were installed along the edges of maintenance roads and tank trails to indicate that off-road traffic is prohibited in such areas.

Laboratory analyses of various samples and artifacts collected in the field have resulted in a number of
discoveries that have altered our understanding of the prehistoric lifeways in the southern Tularosa Basin. We present a “paired pits” phenomenon and three specific types of structures as common elements observed at Archaic and Mesilla phase Jornada Mogollon sites. We also provide a refinement of Doña Ana phase masonry agricultural features from two separate sites. Finally, the most revealing new information was obtained from a series of El Paso phase melted adobe room block complexes. These contexts have revealed emerging village layouts and associated features. Additionally, we also present new trends in turquoise procurement and possible trading, the use of quartz crystal lithic tools and their procurement, the use of limonite for the manufacture of pottery, and the use of ritual items such as crenelated bowls, ceramic effigy vessels and carved frog stone effigies. The results of this project further expand our knowledge of the culture history for the southern Tularosa Basin.

Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), Univer... more Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), University of New Mexico performed evaluations of 36 archaeological sites in the southern White Sands Missile Range of Otero and Doña Ana Counties, New Mexico. Our project area was located between Highway 70 on the north and Nike Avenue on the south and from the Jarilla Mountains on the east to the Organ Mountains on
the west. The objective of the evaluations was to provide in-depth assessments of future research potential at each site based on the presence of intact features or buried cultural deposits. A series of archaeological testing methods were employed to meet this objective, including partial feature excavations, as well as the placing of grid excavation units and backhoe or hand trenches at selected site areas. A second objective of the project was to implement protective measures in areas where potential vehicular traffic could cause damage to the cultural resources at each site. For this purpose, Seibert stakes were installed along the edges of maintenance roads and tank trails to indicate that off-road traffic is prohibited in such areas.

Laboratory analyses of various samples and artifacts collected in the field have resulted in a number of discoveries that have altered our understanding of the prehistoric lifeways in the southern Tularosa Basin.
We present a “paired pits” phenomenon and three specific types of structures as common elements observed at Archaic and Mesilla phase Jornada Mogollon sites. We also provide a refinement of Doña Ana phase
masonry agricultural features from two separate sites. Finally, the most revealing new information was obtained from a series of El Paso phase melted adobe room block complexes. These contexts have revealed
emerging village layouts and associated features. Additionally, we also present new trends in turquoise procurement and possible trading, the use of quartz crystal lithic tools and their procurement, the use of limonite for the manufacture of pottery, and the use of ritual items such as crenelated bowls, ceramic effigy vessels and carved frog stone effigies. The results of this project further expand our knowledge of the culture history for the southern Tularosa Basin.

Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), Univer... more Between November 12th 2014 and January 19th, 2017 the Office of Contract Archeology (OCA), University of New Mexico performed evaluations of 36 archaeological sites in the southern White Sands Missile Range of Otero and Doña Ana Counties, New Mexico. Our project area was located between Highway 70 on the north and Nike Avenue on the south and from the Jarilla Mountains on the east to the Organ Mountains on
the west. The objective of the evaluations was to provide in-depth assessments of future research potential at each site based on the presence of intact features or buried cultural deposits. A series of archaeological testing methods were employed to meet this objective, including partial feature excavations, as well as the placing of grid excavation units and backhoe or hand trenches at selected site areas.

The eight archeological sites subjected to this data recovery are located in two separate areas. Five sites, LA 62372, LA 62410, LA 62673, LA 64034, and LA 64062, are near the edge of the basin floor in an area designated for Future Combat Systems activities. The remaining three sites, LA 62127, LA 62136, and LA 62143, are on an alluvial fan extending from the western side of the Jarilla Mountains referred to as the Orogrande Training Area.

This report documents the results of archeological data recovery at eight sites located in the so... more This report documents the results of archeological data recovery at eight sites located in the southern portion of White Sands Missile Range. Under a cooperative agreement between the University of New Mexico’s Office of Contract Archeology (OCA) and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), OCA was issued a task order to conduct archeological data recovery at eight sites in and near the Orogrande Training Area in the southern portion of WSMR, Otero County, New Mexico. The eight archeological sites subjected to this data recovery are located in two separate areas. Five sites, LA 62372, LA 62410, LA 62673, LA 64034, and LA 64062, are near the edge of the basin floor in an area designated for Future Combat Systems activities. The remaining three sites, LA 62127, LA 62136, and LA 62143, are on an alluvial fan extending from the western side of the Jarilla Mountains referred to as the Orogrande Training Area.

This report documents the results of archeological site identification and protection of five sit... more This report documents the results of archeological site identification and protection of five sites LA 104864, LA 138557, LA 138559, LA 150925 and LA 158961, all located in the southern portion of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Doña Ana County, New Mexico. University of New Mexico’s Office of Contract Archeology (OCA) performed the work under a Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit (CESU) contract with White Sands Missile Range (Department of the Army Fort Worth District, Corps of Engineers Funding Opportunity No. W9126G-17-2-SOI-0023). The project intended to accomplish the following goals: documentation of site extent, documentation and mapping of individual loci, features, artifact concentrations and diagnostic artifacts and the evaluation of the geomorphic integrity. Additionally, Seibert stakes were installed at three of the five sites in order to implement protective measures alongside Tank Trail roads where they pass through the known extent of the sites.

This report documents the results of archeological damage assessment and boundary identification ... more This report documents the results of archeological damage assessment and boundary identification at LA 29999 in the Orogrande Range Camp area of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Otero County, New Mexico. It is a follow-up assessment project by the University of New Mexico’s Office of Contract Archeology (OCA) to further identify archeological damages and the archaeological boundary of site LA 29999 that was impacted by powerline and road construction at the Orogrande Range Camp, White Sands Missile Range.

The current evaluation of LA 29999 focused on the test excavation of two midden features which each covered a buried pit structure. These structures were partially exposed by OCA archaeologists to better understand their interior layouts as well as to assess the nature of any floor features. Additionally, we also discovered another area of carbon-stained sediments within the bladed road. Removing the irregularly shaped stain revealed the presence of two pit features that strongly resembled paired pits, a previously defined Archaic-Mesilla phase phenomenon in the southern Tularosa Basin.

This report documents the results of archeological evaluation of the Jarilla Site, LA 37470 locat... more This report documents the results of archeological evaluation of the Jarilla Site, LA 37470 located in the southeastern portion of White Sands Missile Range, Otero County, New Mexico.Prior to this evaluation, OCA had documented 147 features at the site although whether they were
associated with the Jornada Mogollon, Archaic or even Paleoindian cultures remained largely unclear. For this reason, OCA proposed to conduct test excavation at different types of features. The testing resulted in the confirmation that several of the masonry features were used for surface runoff farming during the Doña Ana phase of the Jornada Mogollon period. Two large pithouses were also uncovered indicating that the site also has a substantial residential component. Evidence for trading was obtained on the presence of numerous turquoise and malachite nodules as well as pieces of marine shell beads.

This report documents the results of archeological damage assessment at the Jarilla Site, LA 3747... more This report documents the results of archeological damage assessment at the Jarilla Site, LA 37470 located in the southeastern portion of White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Otero County, New Mexico.University
of New Mexico’s Office of Contract Archeology (OCA) was contracted by Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. to assess the damage of cultural resources along the bladed powerline road that cuts through LA 37470. Prior to this assessment, OCA had documented 163 features at the site several of which were dated to the Mesilla and Doña Ana phase Jornada Mogollon. A mid-20th century historic component as well as possible Archaic component were identified.

This report presents the results of archaeological survey on two parcels within the Carthage Coal... more This report presents the results of archaeological survey on two parcels within the Carthage Coal Field east of the town of San Antonio in Socorro County, New Mexico. These lands are located on private land and on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The work was performed by the University of New Mexico’s Office of Contract Archeology (OCA/UNM) as a task order from the State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resource Department (EMNRD), Mining and Minerals Division, Abandoned Mine Land Program (AML). The United States Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (DOI-OSMRE) with funding from the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act (SMACRA) supported the project. The survey resulted in the redocumentation of two archaeological sites, the integrating of one previously reported site into another, and the identification and documentation of two new
archaeological sites.

This report documents the results of archaeological data recovery at two Mimbres Mogollon sites –... more This report documents the results of archaeological data recovery at two Mimbres Mogollon sites – the Lake Roberts Site (LA 47821) and the Hooker Site (LA 127051) within the confines of property held by the New Mexico State Game Commission (NMSGC) that is managed by the NMDGF located along the southern and western edges of Lake Roberts in the Sapillo Valley, Gila National Forest, Grant County, New Mexico.

The NMDGF proposed to rehabilitate the dam and spillway structure for Lake Roberts, an artificial lake managed by NMDGF on the Sapillo Creek. This construction project required use of land surfaces directly upstream of the present dam on both the north and south sides of the lake for temporary and permanent storage of construction materials. This use required leveling the land surfaces prior to storage, which had an adverse effect upon archaeological deposits and features present in that locale. Three archaeological sites were impacted by this reconstruction project, all of which exhibit artifacts characteristic of prehispanic Mogollon culture occupations.

A testing program at the two sites was conducted by the Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico (OCA/UNM) in May 2011 as a task order though the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). The testing revealed the spatial extent of LA 47821 and improved the understanding of it.

Following the testing phase, OCA was contracted to excavate those parts of LA 47821 and LA 127051 that would be impacted by the planned construction. This project phase took place between October 2011 and January 2012.

As part of the NHPA Section 106 process, and the then existing New Mexico Tribal Consultation Executive order 2005-004, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NMDGF conducted consultations with Native American tribes concerning the two sites, LA 47821 and LA 127051, that would be adversely affected by planned improvements to the Lake Roberts dam and spillway by NMDGF.

Excavations revealed that both LA 47821 and LA 127051 were comprised of residential and thermal features suggesting that these were short-term residential loci. The sheer volume of artifacts, such as ceramics, flaked lithics, ground stone, ornaments, faunal and macrobotanical remains provided opportunity to assess the lifeways of the prehistoric people who lived at these sites. The results of these and other specialized analyses including a comprehensive Neutron Activation Analysis, geomorphology of the local soils, a study of cacao residue on ceramics, X-ray fluorescence sourcing of obsidian, a study of rare stone spheres and DNA analysis of a sample of turkey bones altogether have aided in advancing the research of the Mimbres Mogollon in the Sapillo Valley of western New Mexico.

This report documents the results of archeological survey of Lake Lucero Site (LA 21162) and Hunt... more This report documents the results of archeological survey of Lake Lucero Site (LA 21162) and Huntingtin Pueblo (LA 14820) located at White Sands National Monument (WSNM or Monument) and also on White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The two sites belong among the largest prehistoric loci at Monument (WSNM). Previous documentations revealed significant cultural resources at both sites including the remnants of pit structures and possible jacal structures as well as a variety of thermal features and substantial prehistoric trash deposits (middens).Fieldwork was performed between May 15th and June 28th, 2018. The survey of the two sites revealed the presence of vast cultural resources that have provided a massive amount datasets. These data were utilized
during various specialized analyses that altogether elevate our understanding of the sites’ significance in the local and regional context.

Between May 11th and June 13th, 2017, the Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico... more Between May 11th and June 13th, 2017, the Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico (OCA/UNM) performed an intensive archaeological survey of 1995 acres located on the United States Department of Agriculture, Cibola National Forest (later only as “Forest Service”) north of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, Sandoval County, New Mexico. The project area consisted of four separate units (Survey Units 1-3 and 5). The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grant under the Reserve Treaty Lands program to the Pueblo of Sandia Pueblo to facilitate a program of forest fuels reduction. The survey resulted in the documentation of 36 archaeological sites and 166 isolated occurrences. This report details the various cultural resources documented during the survey which provided evidence of human occupations in the project area spanning the time from the Early Archaic period to the modern day.

This reports presents the results of Class III archaeological survey on two parcels administered ... more This reports presents the results of Class III archaeological survey on two parcels administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office. The work was performed by the Office of
Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico (OCA/UNM) at the request of Mr. Blair Dunn and Gulf Coast Mining, LLC. The survey was performed as part of an Archaeological Resources Protection Act
settlement which was designed to provide off-site information about cultural resources in the vicinity of the damaged cultural resource. Both parcels lie entirely on Bureau of Land Management managed lands. The
fieldwork was performed between August 16th and 22nd, 2016 and on September 10–11, 2016 and resulted in the documentation of 33 prehistoric sites and 16 isolated occurrences.The project also resulted in a series of new discoveries including two previously unknown “adobe melt” roomblock complexes that were found in the Southern Parcel of the project area. One of them was named “Turquoise House” for its very high density of turquoise artifacts. The site also revealed some extremely rare ceramic artifacts including a fragment of a human effigy vessel, a fragment of a crenellated bowl and a fragment of a possible double-chambered vessel. The remaining 31 sites appear to represent short term camps.

This report documents a new model for prehistoric hearth mound distribution throughout the landsc... more This report documents a new model for prehistoric hearth mound distribution throughout the landscape. The project was a compilation of multidisciplinary research that resulted into the model of horizontal stratigraphy of distribution of archaeological sites within the Parabolic Dune Field at White Sands National Monument.

A Lifelong Journey: Papers in Honor of Michael P. Marshall, 2020

Recent Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico (OCA) site evaluations on White Sa... more Recent Office of Contract Archeology, University of New Mexico (OCA) site evaluations on White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have resulted in a substantial dataset that has offered new perspectives on our understanding of prehispanic cultural life ways during the El Paso phase (A.D. 1200–1450) of the Jornada Mogollon period. The data for our research comes from the recently investigated sites of Adobe Wall Pueblo (LA 32079), West Dry Lake Pueblo (LA 104864), Shaman Village (LA 117502), Olivella Pueblo (LA 150925), and LA 170438 (Figure 1). We also compared data from our recently documented sites of Turquoise House (LA 55129) and Casitas Solas (LA 186219) (Kurota et al. 2016).

Cite as:
Kurota, Alexander, Evan Sternberg, Thatcher A. Rogers, and Robert Dello-Russo
2020 New Trends in El Paso Phase Jornada Mogollon Occupation in the Southern Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. In A Lifelong Journey: Papers in Honor of Michael P. Marshall, edited by Emily J. Brown, Matthew J. Barbour, and Genevieve N. Head, pp. 129-162. Papers of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico No. 46. Archaeological Society of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Kiva, 2022

For more than one hundred years, archaeologists in southern New Mexico and the neighboring west T... more For more than one hundred years, archaeologists in southern New Mexico and the neighboring west Texas and northern Chihuahua have studied the prehispanic lifeways of the Jornada Mogollon culture identifying when occupations at Jornada sites occurred largely relies on chronometric dates and on cross dating of previously defined local pottery types – El Paso Brown, El Paso Bichrome, and El Paso Polychrome. Through a study of approximately 130 painted Jornada Mogollon vessels, this paper improves site dating capabilities by describing temporally sensitive El Paso Polychrome subtypes. This study was possible thanks to advances in digital media, museum collections, and substantial volume of new archaeological data, all of which remained unavailable even two decades ago. It is our hope that the newly defined El Paso Polychrome subtypes offer more accurate dating of sites and also provide a brand-new perspective of understanding the variation in painted designs on El Paso Polychrome.