EMAP Alivas Canyon - LA45000 Unit 40, 1997

The following is an excavation summary and preliminary analysis of the 1997 Arizona State University field school investigation of Unit 40, a room located within site LA 45000. The 1997 field season represents the continuing efforts of the Eastern Mimbres Archaeological Project (EMAP), co-directed by Professors Margaret Nelson, Ph.D. and Michelle Hegmon, Ph.D. of the Arizona State University Department of Anthropology. Site direction was provided by Ph.D. student Tiffany Clark, with unit supervision by Kathryn Leonard. Three undergraduate students participated in the excavation of Unit 40. Site LA 45000 is situated atop an elongated ridge within the middle range of the Palomas Creek drainage system. The site is composed of four discrete masonry roomblocks. In addition, several areas of marked depression and vegetational overgrowth suggest the presence of at least one pithouse. The 1997 excavation strategy consisted of targeting "core rooms" within each roomblock; unit 40 represents the room chosen for excavation in the easternmost room block of the site.