Book

An archaeological reconnaissance of southern Sonora and reconsideration of the Rio Sonora culture

University Microfilms • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1997 • Pages:

By: Pailes, Richard Allen.

Abstract

Pailes' dissertation descibes his archaeological reconnaissance in the western foothills of the Sierra Madre of southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa between the Rio Mayo and the Rio Fuerte. One hundred nineteen sites are discussed in the text. Two sites were also excavated: YE 27-2 and XE 78-1, Cueva de Colmena. Most of the sites belong to the following phases: the Batacosa phase, (approximately A.D. 200 to 700) which is found in the lower and the upper foothills of the project area; the Los Camotes phase (A.D. 700 to about 1050 to 1350) and the San Bernardo phase (about A.D. 1050 to 1350 to at least 1530) which are found in the upper foothills and make up the Rio Sonora culture in the project area; and the Cuchujaqui phase (A.D. 700 to 1530) of an unnamed culture which can be found in the lower foothills. Pailes speculates that the Cuchujaqui phase may be a foothill variant of the Huatabampo culture. He also believes the Huatabampo culture may have begun by A.D. 200. The Rio Sonora culture extends from the Mesoamerican frontier north to the international border. Pailes discusses the possible relationships and influences between the Rio Sonora culture and the adjoining cultures such as Mesoamerican ones to the south and Trincheras, Mogollon, and Hohokam to the north. He does this by comparing and contrasting ceramic styles, mano and metate types, stone tool types, and other less common artifacts such as spindle whorls and ceramic cylinder stamps. The area occupied by the Rio Sonora culture seems to have been a main diffusion corridor for Mesoamerican traits to reach the Mogollon and Hohokam, but the Rio Sonora culture remained largely unaffected by these traits. In the appendices appears a pollen analysis from several sites written by James Schoenwetter. The pollen study indicates there was a climatic fluctuation in the past from a wetter to a drier climate.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Northern Mexico

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry ; 1998

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1800 BP-470 BP (A.D. 200 - 1530)

Coverage Place

southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico

Notes

by Richard Allen Pailes

UM 73-23,708

Includes bibliographical references (p. 438-454)

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Southern Illinois University, 1973

LCSH

Indians of Mexico--Antiquities