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Artifact distribution and its relationship to microtopographic geomorphic features in an eolian environment, Chihuahuan Desert
Author(s) -
Buck Brenda J.,
Steiner Robert L.,
Burgett Galen,
Monger H. Curtis
Publication year - 1999
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(199912)14:8<735::aid-gea4>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - aeolian processes , coppicing , geology , artifact (error) , arid , structural basin , scale (ratio) , geomorphology , physical geography , archaeology , geography , ecology , paleontology , cartography , woody plant , neuroscience , biology
Two models have been developed to explain the relative roles of cultural and geomorphic processes on the distribution of artifacts in the arid southwestern United States. This study tested the Geological Disturbance Model at a microtopographic scale in an area of approximately 14 km 2 in the northeastern Hueco Basin, West Texas. Coppice dunes, interdunal deflational areas, and sandsheets have formed throughout the Hueco Basin within the last 100–150 years. The number of coppice dunes in 1,397 ha was counted, and 48 ha were mapped to determine the surface area of the coppice dunes and interdunal deflational areas. Artifact distribution was statistically compared to the coppice dunes in each hectare. No significant linear correlation was found. Cultural practices or other factors appear to have a greater influence on the distribution of artifacts than geomorphic processes at this scale. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.