EMAP Alivas Canyon – LA45000 Unit 20, 1997

This report summarizes the results of excavation of Unit 20, located on Site LA 45000, a Classic Mimbres site in the Eastern Mimbres region. LA 45000 is one of three sites chosen for excavation by the Eastern Mimbres Archaeological Project (EMAP). This site was excavated by graduate and undergraduate students during the 1997 field season under the direction of Margaret Nelson and Michelle Hegmon, of Arizona State University. Site LA 45000 is located on the north ridge of Avilas Canyon, one of the southern tributaries of the Palomas drainage. Four room blocks and several single room structures comprise the major architectural features of the site. Unit 20 is located in the largest of the four room blocks, and due to the size and complexity of this room block, it is possible that it is the oldest room block on Site LA 45000. Unit 20 was chosen for excavation because it was thought to be one of the core rooms of the room block. Excavation has shown that Unit 20 actually abuts the room to the north, indicating that Unit 20 was actually the first room added to the core room in the initial expansion of the room block. Prior to the expansion of the room block, the area covered by Unit 20 was a ramada area.