Is There A Point To This? Contexts for Metal Projectile Points in Northern New Mexico (original) (raw)

2012, Glen Canyon, Legislative Struggles, and Contract Archaeology: Papers in Honor of Carol J. Condie

 The RANCHO of Don Vicente Valdez, near Cuyamungue in north-central New Mexico, is a large compound of fi ve residential and other structures dating from at least 1828, when Valdez acquired the land, to 1868 when he died, ending occupation of the rancho. Archaeological investigations at the site, LA 4968, conducted by the Offi ce of Archaeological Studies in 2002 prior to NMDOT reconstruction of US 84/285, involved a remodeled house, two small circular structures, and several trash deposits. Among the thousands of artifacts recovered are three thin, narrow-stemmed, ferrous metal projectile points ( ). As I investigated the context of the points, it became clear that thin, ferrous metal points are much more common on Native American sites in New Mexico than on Hispanic sites. 1 Further, the only recorded evidence I could fi nd for manufacture of thin metal points comes from Native American contexts. 2 In this venue, I present information for Native American manufacture of thin metal points