Arch Lake Woman: Physical Anthropology and Geoarchaeology

Preface

Preface The Arch Lake human burial site is located in eastern new Mexico on the highest promontory on the south side of the now-dry Arch Lake basin near the Texas border. When discovered and excavated in 1967, a geologic context of considerable antiquity was recognized. In February 2000 an interdisciplinary team reexamined the osteology, geology, archaeology, and radiocarbon age of the burial. This Paleoamerican woman was lying supine with her left arm semi-flexed, legs extended, and head to the southeast. Associated cultural materials include nineteen talc beads found near the lower part of her neck, a probable bone tool lying over her ribs, and dense red pigment associated with a unifacial stone tool near her left elbow. AMS radiocarbon dating results indicate an uncalibrated age of 10,020 ± 50 RC yr BP. The skeletal analysis included comparing cranial and dental measurements and tooth crown discrete traits to those of other ancient north American remains and recent native Americans. The morphology of Arch Lake is unique among early American crania because it has a short, broad vault. In contrast, its large size, short face, and low orbits correspond with other early crania and differ markedly from those of more recent native Americans. When compared to other early crania, the Arch Lake woman is most similar to the Gordon Creek woman and the Horn Shelter no. 2 adult male. Of the comparative series, their archaeological sites are closest to Arch Lake geographically. The dental traits from Arch Lake and the Horn Shelter no. 2 juvenile are not representative of recent native Americans. Cultural affiliation of the Arch Lake woman is uncertain. Archaeological analysis included comparing burial assemblages and practices of five primary interments with uncalibrated radiocarbon ages between 9500 RC yr. and 10,020 RC yr. Burial goods accompanying Arch Lake are thought to include personal belongings worn or used at the time of burial: a necklace and a possible pouch tied at the waist containing ocher and a heavily resharpened flake knife. This aspect resembles the Wilson-Leonard burial, where a woman was interred with xi a shark’s tooth at her neck and a heavily used stone tool at her side. More extensive burial assemblages and ceremonial treatments characterize Gordon Creek and Horn Shelter no. 2, which, like Buhl, included relatively unworn tools and items that may have been manufactured specifically for burial. The extended burial position at Arch Lake is a marked departure from the flexed burials at Gordon Creek, Horn Shelter no. 2, and Wilson-Leonard. Burial practice at Arch Lake and Gordon Creek included the use of red ocher. The Arch Lake skeleton was in the process of eroding out of a road bank when it was discovered. The original investigators extended great effort to ensure its protection so that future study would be possible. This report fulfills their longstanding objective and adds new information on the people and burial practices of ancient north America. xii Preface ...