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The effect of landscape and hydrologic variables on the prehistoric Salado: Geoarchaeological investigations in the Tonto Basin, Arizona
Author(s) -
Waters Michael R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6548(199802)13:2<105::aid-gea3>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - landform , holocene , archaeology , period (music) , structural basin , geology , population , human settlement , streamflow , prehistory , physical geography , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , geography , geomorphology , cartography , physics , demography , geotechnical engineering , sociology , acoustics
Geoarchaeological investigations in the Tonto Basin, Arizona provide insights into the Classic period Salado occupation from A.D. 1150 to 1450. Geomorphic reconstructions show that the Salado pursued irrigation agriculture on an intermediate Holocene terrace that was protected from flooding, while permanent settlements were located on stable Pleistocene landforms overlooking the field areas. Carrying‐capacity‐based calculations show that the population during the Classic period numbered in the low thousands. The development and subsequent cultural changes during the Classic period are tied to streamflow variations and cultural factors. The final abandonment of the Tonto Basin around A.D. 1450 is not the result of a major landscape change, but instead is linked to high frequency hydrologic variations that influenced food production coupled with cultural factors. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.