@mastersthesis {692,
	title = {Rethinking methods and paradigms of ceramic chronology},
	volume = {PhD},
	year = {1991},
	school = {University of Arizona},
	abstract = {Methods of ceramic chronology building are based on certain assumptions concerning the pattern of stylistic change in ceramics. These assumptions are, however, not necessarily identical in different methods. Also, the general applicability of the assumptions in each method is not endorsed by solid empirical observations of stylistic change in ceramics and theoretical considerations concerning processes producing stylistic change in ceramics. The inapplicability of assumptions of a method undermines the reliability of ceramic chronology created by the method. In order to evaluate the reliability of existing ceramic chronologies, (1) theoretical considerations were made concerning processes producing stylistic change in ceramics and (2) empirical observations were made concerning aspects of stylistic change in ceramics in a well-controlled archaeological setting, i.e., stylistic change of Tusayan White and Gray Wares in the American Southwest between A.D. 850 and 1150 where tree-ring dating is available as an independent means of temporal control.

As a result, it was revealed that (1) substantial temporal overlap can be present in the manufacture of successive styles of ceramics, (2) continuity criteria of the typological method are not necessarily applicable to stylistic change in ceramics even in a continuous population, and (3) significantly large time lags can be present in the diffusion of manufacturing frequencies of styles even within an area in which the styles are shared. In light of these findings, the typological method cannot be accepted as a method of ceramic chronology building. Occurrence and frequency seriations are, on the other hand, acceptable methods. However, for reliable chronological seriation attention must be paid to potential errors caused by contemporaneous variation of stylistic compositions among assemblages due to time lags in diffusion and variation in generational composition of individuals who produced assemblages.
},
	keywords = {Anasazi, Tusayan},
	url = {http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=744130961\&sid=3\&Fmt=2\&clientId=43922\&RQT=309\&VName=PQD},
	author = {Yasushi Kojo}
}
@mastersthesis {695,
	title = {Modeling prehistoric climatic variability and agricultural production in southwestern Colorado: A GIS approach},
	volume = {PhD},
	year = {1990},
	school = {Washington State University},
	abstract = {A model with high temporal and spatial resolution has been developed for a 1816 km$\sp2$ area of southwestern Colorado to examine the potential effects of past climatic variation on dryland maize agriculture and sustainable population during the late Mesa Verde Anasazi occupation of the area (A.D. 901-1300). The data generated by the model are used to evaluate a question of long standing in the Northern Southwest: whether climatic variability was severe enough to disrupt agriculture and promote the abandonment of the Northern San Juan Region toward the end of the 13th century.

The model incorporates techniques and data sets that have not been used together before. Long regional dendroclimatic records are used to retrodict 1070 years (A.D. 901-1970) of June Palmer Drought Severity Indices (PDSI)--measures of stored soil moisture--for area-specific soils. Reconstructed PDSIs are reexpressed in terms of their local equivalent in potential maize yield. The integration, quantification, and visual display of these productivity values are coordinated through geographic information systems (GIS) technology. The method results in the production of (1) annual maps depicting the variable character of the potential agricultural environment and (2) annual values for total maize productivity, which can be translated into the population size and density that can be potentially supported on that yield. From these, multiple year estimates of a sustainable population or carrying capacity are made.

The results indicate that there was always enough productive land somewhere in the study area to support thousands of persons (e.g., 31,363 persons or 21 persons/km$\sp2$ minimum in the 1470.36 km$\sp2$ study area over the 400-year period), even in the documented dry times of the middle 12th and late 13th centuries. It would seem, therefore, that climatic variability was never so extreme in the Mesa Verde area that decreased agricultural production can be cited as the sole or even primary cause of the 13th century depopulation of the region.
},
	keywords = {Anasazi},
	url = {http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=747133751\&sid=7\&Fmt=2\&clientId=43922\&RQT=309\&VName=PQD},
	author = {Carla Van West}
}
