UNDERSTANDING EASTERN BASKETMAKER II CHRONOLOGY AND MIGRATIONS

Abstract

The Basketmaker II period in the upper San Juan River valley is historically defined from the study of two physiographic regions: one near Durango, Colorado, and the other near Navajo Reservoir in New Mexico and Colorado. The Los Pinos phase designation has been applied to the Basketmaker II period from both locations; however, recent archaeological investigations from these areas have identified temporal and spatial variations that challenge the usefulness of a single phase name to reflect such a long and dynamic Basketmaker II occupation. Chronometric, settlement, and climatic data are introduced as support for the proposal to separate the Basketmaker II occupation of the upper San Juan River valley into three phases—Animas, Archuleta, and Los Pinos. The Los Pinos phase terminology is retained but two regional subphases, the Talus Village subphase and the La Boca subphase, are introduced.