TY - RPRT T1 - Tree-Ring Studies of the Pueblo de Acoma: A Preliminary Report Supplement No. 1 Y1 - 1988 A1 - Robinson, William J. KW - anthropology KW - dendrochronology KW - new mexico KW - pueblo de acoma KW - rehabilitation KW - sky city KW - tree ring AB -

INTRODUCTION

A second collection trip was made to the Pueblo de Acoma the week of October 12, 1987. The crew consisted of the author and Jeffrey S. Dean, both from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research.

The purpose of the trip was to complete those units in Area H that had been bypassed in April 1987. However, since the expected HUD funding had not yet been received, the Restoration Project was not active and the Area H units were still unavailable. As a consequence, only a single unit was cored in Area H with the remainder of the work done in Area F and Area C.

In addition, we had the opportunity to survey Cebolleta Mesa and adjacent areas for living trees, particularly pinyon (Pinus edulis), that might be old enough to overlap with the beams cut in the mid 1600s. This of course would mean trees of an age class of 350 – 400 years; not impossible for pinyon, but relatively rare. We located two sites, one near Indian Lake on Cebolleta Mesa and one at Mesa Negra Spring at the western edge of the reservation. Both sites should be tested for tree age to determine if full coring is warranted.

For both these activities, coring at Sky City and reconnaissance, we were accompanied by Marvin C. Garcia and Dwight Lucario. Our accomplishments are due in large part to their helpfulness and good humor.

PB - Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research CY - Tucson ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Tree-Ring Studies of the Pueblo de Acoma: A Preliminary Report Supplement No. 2 Y1 - 1988 A1 - Robinson, William J. KW - anthropology KW - dendrochronology KW - new mexico KW - pueblo de acoma KW - rehabilitation KW - sky city KW - tree ring AB -

INTRODUCTION

Two final collection trips were made to the Pueblo de Acoma the week of May 15, 1988 and the week of July 19, 1988. The crew again consisted of the author and Jeffrey S. Dean, both from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research.

Once again the purpose of the trips was to complete work in Area H that had been bypassed on previous visits. This work was in fact completed during the second trip, but the May trip was diverted to work in Area A and Area B because Area H was not yet cleared of household goods. We were fortunate during the May visit to locate a number of structures, uninvolved with the Restoration Project, whose owners gave us permission to core.

A considerable amount of time on both trips was spent comparing the plans of the Restoration Project with the plans drawn by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1934 (Nabokov 1986; see reference in the initial report). As a result, a concordance of the numbering systems was developed (Table 2) to serve as a measure of architectural chance between 1934 and 1988. One unit could not be identified with any certainty and the units in Area F are less than certain. All others are, however, clearly cross referenced.

PB - Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research CY - Tucson ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Tree-Ring Studies of the Pueblo de Acoma: A Preliminary Report Y1 - 1987 A1 - Robinson, William J. KW - anthropology KW - dendrochronology KW - new mexico KW - pueblo de acoma KW - rehabilitation KW - sky city KW - tree ring AB -

INTRODUCTION

In the spring of 1986, the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research was contacted by the Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico regarding participation in archaeological clearance of the Pueblo de Acoma (Sky City) Rehabilitation Project. This project, funded by a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant, had been ongoing since 1982 but only recently had considered compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Section 106).

A meeting and field inspection was held at Acoma in September 1987 with representatives of the Sky City Rehabilitation Project (Vallo), the Museum of New Mexico (Ware, Adams, Ladd), and the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (Robinson, Dean). This meeting resulted in, among other things, a commitment from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research to participate in the archaeological clearance and to seek its own funds to do so. As a consequence, a proposal and a budget covering the field work was submitted to a local Tucson foundation and funding was obtained. In the meantime, the Museum of New Mexico continued to work with the Pueblo de Acoma and HUD in developing an application for a new Block Grant.

A second meeting was held at Acoma in January 1987 to discuss implementation of the cooperative agreement. In addition to the previous representatives, the Rehabilitation Project consulting architect (McHenry) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist (Harrill) were present. Specific clearance of Area H was discussed and it was agreed that the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research project should be implemented in advance of construction and that some sampling in Area C would be possible in late April 1987.

A final meeting was held in the council chambers of the Pueblo de Acoma on April 21, 1987 with homeowners in Area H whose houses were targeted for rehabilitation in 1987. In addition, the meeting was attended by First Lt. Governor Ray Histia, Mr. Greg Histia of the Acoma Development Authority, Mr. Dennis Vallo and Mr. Marvin Garcia of the Rehabilitation Project, and Dr. John Ware and Mr. Tom Livesly of the Museum of New Mexico as well as the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research crew. Discussions were held regarding scheduling and coordination of the Laboratory’s work and the concerns of the homeowners. Many homeowners asked questions about how vigas were sampled, how much time it would take, and whether any disturbance would occur. At the conclusion, all homeowners expressed satisfaction and real interest in the project.

PB - Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research CY - Tucson ER -