Dolores Archaeological Program Technical Reports, DAP-066: 1980 Archaeomagnetic Sampling Program

The 1980 archaeomagnetic sampling program involved the recovery of 59 archaeomagnetic samples from 13 archaeological sites excavated by the Dolores Archaeological Program. In addition, 12 samples were collected from 12 experimental hearths located within the project area. Based on the 1979 DAP refinement of the A.D. 700-900 portion of the Southwest curve, the 1978-1980 prehistoric collection sets were temporally evaluated. When these dates were compared to the original Southwest curve estimates, they were found to be more consistent with the estimated archaeological dates. Auxillary studies conducted during 1980 included several intensive analyses and studies designed to improve laboratory and field techniques. Laboratory methods changed considerably over previous years: demagnetization treatment levels for individual samples were determined based primarily on sample result parameters of previous demagnetization levels; this treatment produced better sample results. The archaeomagnetic priority system was evaluated based on the analysis results of different priority categories. Cube orientation studies were designed to determine the most accurate method for established a specimens in situ orientation and to explain differences in the Dolores magnetic declination noted by several independent sources. The experimental hearths provided a set of data which permitted several intensive analyses correlating hearth quality with archaeomagnetic sample quality.