Book

The Chaco Anasazi: sociopolitical evolution in the prehistoric Southwest

Cambridge University Press • Cambridge [England] • Published In 1992 • Pages: xiv, 181

By: Sebastian, Lynne.

Abstract

Sebastian examines the group of Anasazi that lived in the Chaco Basin and that constructed the architectural features known as great houses. The farmers in this area changed from 'small-scale, simply organized prehistoric Pueblo societies' where 'leadership was situational and most decision making carried out within kinship structures, to a hierarchically organized political structure with institutional roles of leadership. She argues that … increasing political complexity was a consequence of improved rainfall … which permitted surplus production…' (page i). Sebastian examines the literature on the theories of the evolution of sociopolitical complexity and explains why she believes the previous explanations for the complexity seen in the San Juan Basin are wrong or wouldn't work. She links possible surplus corn production with the rise of institutional leaders. Greater corn production was probably achieved by groups that pursued a more labor intensive method of farming that involved capture and distribution of water runoff verses the groups that depended on a land-extensive strategy where planting was done in numerous fields. The groups that pursued the labor intensive farming methods would also have had the advantage of an available labor pool when construction on the great houses started.

HRAF PubDate

2012

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2011

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1300-700 BP (AD 700-1300)

Coverage Place

San Juan Basin; Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah; United States

Notes

Lynne Sebastian

Includes bibliographical references (p. 166-178) and index

LCCN

91038431

LCSH

Chaco culture--Politics and government

Social archaeology--New Mexico--Chaco Canyon Region

Social archaeology--San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.) Chaco Canyon Region (N.M.)--Antiquities

San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)--Antiquities

New Mexico--Antiquities

Colorado--Antiquities