In the pines: a spatial analysis of ancestral indigenous landscape use and boundary effects on the Coconino plateau in northern Arizona

Treichler, Jack Wolbach (2023) In the pines: a spatial analysis of ancestral indigenous landscape use and boundary effects on the Coconino plateau in northern Arizona. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Treichler_2023_pines_spatial_analysis_ancestral_indigenous_landscape_u.pdf - Published Version Download (17MB)

Abstract

Ancestral Indigenous peoples of the Coconino Plateau in northern Arizona used a broad range of resources and environments to survive and thrive. Based on these observations, it is hypothesized that archaeological site density and clustering patterns may accordingly vary in different environments. The purpose of the present study is to examine site location patterns in two adjacent but differing biotic zones—Pinyon-Juniper Woodland and Ponderosa Pine Forest—and to determine whether archaeological sites in these zones display differing density and clustering patterns in relation to the boundary with the other zone, i.e., boundary effects. The study utilizes locational data of 3,743 prehistoric archaeological sites collected on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest from 1978 through 2022. The results of the study support previous research suggesting ancestral Indigenous peoples of the Coconino Plateau, including the Cohonina, utilized Pinyon-Juniper Woodland more intensively and centrally, while pushing into Ponderosa Forest only as far as necessary for seasonally- or biotically- specific purposes. A brief discussion on methodological approaches is also included, concerning spatial analysis of all prehistoric sites in an area versus sites of specific archaeological cultural traditions. Further studies into site type and functionality patterns may further this research, lending more insight into ancestral Indigenous landscape use and aiding the Forest Service in managing its lands and prioritizing cultural resource surveys.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Archaeology; Arizona; Cohonina; Colorado Plateau; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Landscape; Kaibab National Forest;
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Anthropology
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2025 21:20
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2025 21:20
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6223

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads