Ojo Bonito Archaeological Project: 1988 Report of Investigations of Prehistoric Gridded Fields

The 1988 OBAP agricultural survey project has produced a greater understanding of the extensive network of gridded fields in the lower Zuni drainage. Structural studies have shown that walls are generally constructed of large basalt cobbles and placed in loose, single course linear alignments. Walls do not intrude deeply into present soils, and seem to have had little input into the creation of field soils. Environmental data indicate that conditions along the mesa slopes may be more beneficial to crop production, but their exact effect is unknown. Survey of a portion of mesa slope has revealed the extensive nature of the gridded fields as well as a variety of field-related features. The data collected has allowed us to make preliminary conclusions on the functioning of the fields and their articulation into late pueblo society, and has also given us clearer indications of the directions in which to take future research.