Chapter 8 Flashcards
Mesoamerica
maize was initially domestication
Maize Domestication in 3 regions
- Mesoamerica
- Southwest United States
- Eastern North America
Regional Variation
agriculture was prominent, starting as early as 10,000 years ago
Mesoamerica
has been studied as the area where maize, squash, and beans (the 3 sisters)
Maize
plays a central subsistence and spirirual role in indgenous farming communities throughout all the “Americas”
Teosinte
a wild grass that is the wild (undomesticated) ancestor of maize
- produces 2 rows of small triangular-shaped seeds, while maize seeds are several times larger and growing in four or more rows
Rachis of teosinte
is brittle to disperse seeds, while the rachis of maize is not brittle (it’s tougher)
a single center of domestication of maize
evidence that teosinte became maize formed in the highlands of Mexico
Highlands of Mexico
excavation of dry caves revealed well-preserved plant remains
Plant remains included
maize, squash, and beans that likely were domesticated by groups of mobile hunter-gatherers
Radiocarbon dating
the identifiable plants remains were too small, but other materials such as wood charcoal were used to determine the age of the remains
Accelerator Mass Spectromertry (AMS)
radiocarbon dating recently developed is now used to date even the smallest of plant remains
Curcubita pepo
which is the ancestor of squash we eat today (pumpkin, zucchini, and acorn, marrow and spaghetti squash)
10,000-8,300 years ago
earliest domestication squash
select squash
Thickness of rind and change in color from green to orange
Earliest maize was found at the Guila Naquitz in Oaxaca, Mexico
dated 62,50 years ago
Though rachis
one cob had 2 rows of kernels and one had 4 rows
selection of gradual increase
Size of the cob and the number of kernels over time
Beans
found in Mesoamerica dated to 2,500 years ago, but they were likely domestication erlier (possibly at rhw smae time as maize)
Chili peppers
were domesticated in the region as well, but actual dates have not yet been established
Turkeys
were the only animals domesticated in Mesoamerica, but actual dates of domestication are still unknown
Maize and squash
agriculture spread to the southwestern region of the United States around 3,000 years ago
- agriculture varied across the region (some groups increased sedentism, others remained hunter-gatherers)
Cerro Juanaquena
site in northwest Chihuahua near the New Mexico boreder that has extensive terrace walls and 100 rock rings (terraces may have been used to provide flat surface for houses, rock rign function is unknown)
4 maize kernels
found date to 3,70 years ago and 600 grinding slabs found, indicating grinding seeds or grains was important
Optimal Forging Theory
humans acts on basis of rational self-intrerst to maximize efficiency in collecting and processing resources
Jornada Mogollon
region is drier and riskier for maize agriculture, but has natural plants and bushes that provide adequate nutrients
Cerro Juanaquena
receives more rainfall, is better for growing maize, and has fewer nutritious local wild plants
Las Capas
Early site near Tucson,AZ that has terrace walls and a sequence of canals sating to between 3,250-2,500 years ago that carried water at least 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) from the Santa Cruz River to irrigated fields
White Dog Cave
(named for mummified dog burials at site) revealed a net made of fiber strings, woven baskets, human burials, sandals made of yucca fiber, cradles for infants, etc.
Pottery
widespread in the Southwest around 1,800 years ago
Overlaping
of pottery and domestication beans
Typical sites
this time included pit houses that were square or rectangular and were excavated 1 to 2 meters below the surface with a superstructure of wooden beams, brush, and soil
- 2-35 houses
Turkey feathers
- were used for texture
- were the first animal to be domesticated for consumption in the region
- Isotopic analysis of turkey bones fed on maize demonstrating a strong connection between domesticated crops and animals
Maize
first domesticated in Eastern North America between 3,200-1,700 years ago and is associated with the Adena and Hopewell traditions
Adena tradition
a period of intensive mound building in the Ohio River Valley associated with the Early Woodland culture 3,200-2,000 years ago
- earliest ceramics found in the region
Hopewell tradition
period of intensive mound building on the Ohio River Valley that correspond to the middle woodland culture 2,000-1,700 years ago
Both Adena and Hopewell traditions
is evidence of elaborate burial practices including the construction of mound and extensive trade network
Hopewell mounds
revealed that multiple humans remains were placed in structures built of bent poles that were covered by the dirt mounds
Hopewell material culture
included impressive art objects made of copper, mica and polished stone
some objects were traded over long distances and found in burials
Extensive trade network
the Hopewell tradition and construction of massive earthworks came to an end about 1,700 years ago
Hopewell tradition
lived in concentrated settlements or dispersed across the landscape in small farmsteads
2 Hopewell houses
were identified in Newark Earthworks on Ohio, but little additional evidence has been found to determine Hopewell settlement patterns in the region
Number of large settled villages
maize was found as far north as Ontario
Maize
didn’t play a major role in the diet until 1,000 years ago in this region, which means it took 700 years for maize to become an essential food source
