Reevaluating Mimbres Late Pithouse to Classic Period Transformations of the Upper Gila

Professional archaeological research has been conducted in southwest New Mexico’s upper Gila valley since at least 1929, when Burt and Hattie Cosgrove completed a survey of archaeological sites. Projects of various scales have been carried out periodically since then, however minimal research has occurred at Woodrow Ruin, one of the region’s largest sites. This paper presents new information from my recent dissertation research at Woodrow Ruin that is helping to redefine the Late Pithouse-Classic period occupation of the upper Gila. While Woodrow Ruin was previously noted for the number of surface Classic period rooms, it now seems that Woodrow Ruin also had a substantial Late Pithouse occupation, and was likely the hub of the upper Gila during the Late Pithouse and into the Classic. Analyses of artifacts from the site, particularly a ceramic NAA study, have helped to demonstrate how trade and interaction changed through time in the upper Gila. New data has also demonstrated that Woodrow’s influence in the upper Gila continued into the 11th century, although social organization changed substantially between the Late Pithouse and Classic periods.

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