A Cross Section of Grand Canyon Archeology: Excavations at Five Sites Along the Colorado River

In the spring of 1984, five sites along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park were test excavated prior to stabilization. The sites, four of which are in dry shelters, span 130 river miles on both sides of the Colorado, and encompass preceramic through historic occupations. Data from the stratified deposits were used to answer research questions regarding changes in subsistence and technology through time. Analyses of flotation, pollen and macrofossil samples showed excellent preservation of materials from several canyon microenvironments. Variations in the construction of cordage and in the ceramic and lithic technologies related to these specific environments, to the seasonal nature of activities at each site and to the interaction of the inhabitants with adjacent groups.1984年春季，美国大峡谷国家公园（Grand Canyon National Park）科罗拉多河（Colorado River）沿岸的5处遗址在开展稳定化处理前接受了试掘。其中4处为干燥庇护所遗址，这些遗址沿科罗拉多河两岸分布，跨度达130河道英里，涵盖从前陶时期至历史时期的各类人居遗存。对层状堆积（stratified deposits）出土数据的分析，被用于解答有关生计方式与技术随时间演变的研究议题。对浮选（flotation）样品、花粉样品及大化石（macrofossil）样品的分析结果显示，大峡谷内多个微环境中的出土遗存均保存极佳。绳具制作工艺、制陶技术与石器（lithic）技术的差异，均与上述特定环境、各遗址内活动的季节性特征，以及当地居民与邻近族群的互动密切相关。