Papers by Ward Beers
Abstract - The Rio Abajo region of central New Mexico has for centuries been a natural route... more Abstract - The Rio Abajo region of central New Mexico has for centuries been a natural route for trade and the exchange of ideas along the Rio Grande. The natural corridor for travel has also historically been a route for advancing and retreating armies, notably during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and during the American Civil War. It can be reasoned that the area benefitted and suffered from similar trade prehistorically.
Using Marshall and Walt's 1984 study as a guide in this study, over forty prehistoric sites were visited to verify their locations. GIS viewshed analysis of fourteen Late Elmendorf phase sites (A.D. 1100-1300) and twenty-nine Glaze A sites (A.D. 1315-1425) in the area indicates that while partially a byproduct of the natural geography of the area, line-of-sight communication between the pueblos of each phase may have been a concern. The defensive positioning of some sites in the area indicates that warfare may have been a concern in both periods, and the strategic locations of "citadels" during both periods may point toward a planned regional defense by the prehistoric inhabitants of the region spanning both time periods.
Papers in Honor of Sheila K. Brewer, Papers of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico 40. Edited by Emily J. Brown, J. Condie, and Helen K. Crotty, pp. 23-32. Archaeological Society of New Mexico, Albuquerque., Apr 2014
The use of long distance communication through signaling by the native inhabitants o... more The use of long distance communication through signaling by the native inhabitants of North America is documented both ethnographically and archaeologically. While the use of long-distance and line-of-sight signaling may be most applicable to sedentary societies under stress, its documented use by nomadic and semi-nomadic groups indicates that use of such signaling systems may well extend back to the first appearance of humans in the Americas. The information in this article is the product of thesis research regarding line-of-sight communication in the Jumanos pueblo cluster of central New Mexico. Early on in the research the apparent lack of ethnographic or archaeological evidence for communication by visual means such as fires, flashes, or smoke raised the question if such communication was simply the product of Hollywood westerns. Continued research however, revealed the sources in this article. While this article contains no new information regarding long distance visual communication in North America and particularly the Southwest, my hope is that the compilation of information in one source may be of use to researchers in the future.
Thesis by Ward Beers
The Salinas region of Central New Mexico is known historically and prehistorically to have b... more The Salinas region of Central New Mexico is known historically and prehistorically to have been a route for trade and raiding between the Plains and Rio Grande Valley. The positioning of at least two sites in the area on high points, Gran Quivira (LA 120) and Pueblo de la Mesa (LA 2091) indicate defensive intent, and by extension, possible use as signaling stations during periods of trade or warfare. The purpose of this study was to determine, through use of archaeological survey and GIS viewshed analysis, whether high points in the area may have been used for line-of-sight communication.
Presentations by Ward Beers
The Salinas district of Central New Mexico, and particularly the Jumanos pueblo cluster, a s... more The Salinas district of Central New Mexico, and particularly the Jumanos pueblo cluster, a sub region of this area, formerly populated by Tompiro speakers, has long been known to have been a cultural amalgam of influences from the Rio Grande pueblos, the Plains to the east, and the Jornada Mogollon to the south. Similarities in ceramics and architectural styles have long been cited as evidence of the Jornada Mogollon cultural influence in the Jumanos cluster. Jornada Mogollon iconography is conspicuous at two prominent Tompiro sacred sites within what appears to be a bounded sacred landscape as seen in pueblos to the north. This paper suggests that Jornada Mogollon belief systems may have culturally influenced the inhabitants of the Jumanos pueblos more than previously realized.
Posters by Ward Beers
2015 Groh, John and Ward Beers. A Tompiro Ceremonial Landscape: Torrance County, New Mexico. ... more 2015 Groh, John and Ward Beers. A Tompiro Ceremonial Landscape: Torrance County, New Mexico. Features of Jumanos Mesa Site LA 104586. Poster presented at the Archaeological Society of New Mexico annual meeting. Taos, New Mexico, May 1-3, 2015.
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Papers by Ward Beers
Using Marshall and Walt's 1984 study as a guide in this study, over forty prehistoric sites were visited to verify their locations. GIS viewshed analysis of fourteen Late Elmendorf phase sites (A.D. 1100-1300) and twenty-nine Glaze A sites (A.D. 1315-1425) in the area indicates that while partially a byproduct of the natural geography of the area, line-of-sight communication between the pueblos of each phase may have been a concern. The defensive positioning of some sites in the area indicates that warfare may have been a concern in both periods, and the strategic locations of "citadels" during both periods may point toward a planned regional defense by the prehistoric inhabitants of the region spanning both time periods.
Thesis by Ward Beers
Presentations by Ward Beers
Posters by Ward Beers
Using Marshall and Walt's 1984 study as a guide in this study, over forty prehistoric sites were visited to verify their locations. GIS viewshed analysis of fourteen Late Elmendorf phase sites (A.D. 1100-1300) and twenty-nine Glaze A sites (A.D. 1315-1425) in the area indicates that while partially a byproduct of the natural geography of the area, line-of-sight communication between the pueblos of each phase may have been a concern. The defensive positioning of some sites in the area indicates that warfare may have been a concern in both periods, and the strategic locations of "citadels" during both periods may point toward a planned regional defense by the prehistoric inhabitants of the region spanning both time periods.