Caseldine 2025. Development of Ancestral O’Odham irrigation along the lower Salt River through time. Period key: A – Pioneer Period, B – Colonial Period, C – Sedentary Period, D – early Classic Period, and E – late Classic Period.

Centuries before Phoenix, the Hohokam built vast canals in the Salt River Valley. New research by Christopher Caseldine sheds light on their history and scale. buff.ly/Fgnt7lY
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #Hohokam #Arizona

In this classic 1987 KIVA article, Crown looks at native water storage across the Southwest, which empowered native peoples to not only survive, but thrive in arid conditions. buff.ly/c5aABA8
#Archaeology #WaterHistory #SouthwestHistory #IndigenousInnovation

Ackerly 1988. Map of the Phoenix Basin showing the various canals discussed in the text

Did failing canals cause Hohokam decline? In this vintage 1988 Kiva article, Ackerly looked at evidence which showed salinization and water-logging weren’t likely to blame. buff.ly/l8DBBw7
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #IrrigationHistory #Arizona

A portion of Frank Midvale’s 1968 map.

In this vintage 1968 Kiva article, Frank Midvale mapped 315+ miles of Hohokam canals in the Salt River Valley—expanding our understanding of the scale of prehistoric irrigation. buff.ly/HDjnZ49
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #IrrigationHistory #Arizona

Seymour 2025. Classic arrowheads, both metal and stone, all from the San Geronimo III site. S-1251 is the specimen used to define this type, but S-283 and S-1653 seem to be variations on this style, other than possessing only a single side notch.

What were armas de la tierra? Seymour discusses the unconventional weapons from the Coronado expedition which shed light on battles and first encounters with the Sobaipuri O’odham. buff.ly/wVKZ1A1
#Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #CoronadoExpedition #FirstContact

Mathiowetz 2025. Clowns in the U.S. Southwest/Northwest Mexico. (a) Koshare, Classic Mimbres bowl (MimPIDD #4010), site unknown (after Brody 2004:fig. 34). (b) Graffito-style wall painting of striped figure, Unit 16, Paquimé, Chihuahua, Mexico. Digital image of line art drawing originally published in Casas Grandes, Volume 4, page 222, Figure 150–4. Courtesy of the Amerind Foundation, Inc., Dragoon, Arizona. Alice Wesche, Artist. (c) Koshare handprint. Pictograph at Feather Cave, NM (after Ellis and Hammack 1968:fig. 2). (d) Legs of probable Koshare, Awatovi kiva mural, Room 528, Left Wall Design 1 (after Smith 1952:fig. 69a). (e) Koshare with feathered serpent, Abo Painted Rocks, NM (after watercolor by Polly Schaafsma). (f) Koshare, Painted Cave, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico (after Rohn 1989:116). (g) Koshare climbing tree, Group M Cavate M-100 (east wall), Frijoles Canyon, Pajarito Plateau, NM (after Liebmann 2012:fig. 7.1). Drawings by author unless noted otherwise.

More than entertainers, Puebloan clowns connected ritual, healing, and leadership. Their origins may lie in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua (AD 1200–1450) according to Mathiowetz. buff.ly/TrX8P5f
#SouthwestHistory #Archaeology #PuebloCulture #CasasGrandes

Gillreath-Brown & Kohler 2024. Low-frequency July temperature anomaly reconstruction for the southwestern United States as defined in inset (based on Gillreath-Brown et al. 2024:Figure 5). The extent of the SWUS inset is approximately: xmin = −112.82, xmax = −105.52, ymin = 32.66, ymax = 38.90. Blue line fitted by loess (local polynomial regression fitting) smoothing (α = 0.15). Negative values on the y-axis indicate temperatures cooler than the 1961–1990 average; the horizontal line at 0 marks the average July temperature from 1961–1990. Negative values on x-axis indicate years BC.

How did El Niño and La Niña cycles shape Pueblo history? By driving maize farming success in wet years and hardship in dry ones according to Gillreath-Brown & Kohler. buff.ly/fI7RgtO
#Archaeology #ClimateHistory #SouthwestHistory #Maize #Pueblo

1/ Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1775–76 expedition led 240 settlers & 1000 head of livestock across 1200 miles of deserts, icy mountain passes, and long stretches without water. Guided by Native allies, they endured storms, hunger, and exhaustion.
#SouthwestHistory
#Arizona
#GreenValley

Historical Horse Shows A Very Victorian Pastime

Researching one of my favorite topics- horse shows! #history #historicalhorseshows #victorianhorseshows #horseshowweek #showjumping #rodeo #charreada #victorianhistory #frontierhistory #southwesthistory #writingresearch #writingabook averybridge.substack.com/p/historical...

F. Lewis Orrell, Jr. -Carryl B. Martin-Research Grant – Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Mark your calendars for our annual Winter Party and Auction, January 11th

Need funding for Southwest archaeological or historical research? The F. Lewis Orrell, Jr. -Carryl B. Martin-Research Grant’s deadline is February 15. The winner receives $5000! aahs1916.org/grant/carryl...
#SouthwestArchaeology #ResearchGrant #SWArch #Funding #SouthwestHistory

Want to get published as an undergrad or grad student? Share your research in the Julian D. Hayden Paper Competition—topics in Southwest archaeology, history & Anthropology. Win $1,000 + publication! aahs1916.org/grant/annual...
#SouthwestArchaeology #SouthwestHistory #Archaeology #StudentResearch

Cajigas et al. 2025. Test pit 1 south profile (A). Terrace wall is to the right. In west wall profile (B), profile faces the terrace wall.

Terraces and towns—what do soils teach us about history? New research by Cajigas et al. reveals how the hilltop village on Tumamoc Hill may have been an early monumental site. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #SonoranDesert #Arizona #ArizonaHistory #SouthwestHistory

Doolittle 2025. A map of the Río Sonora, the San Pedro River, the recently discovered site that may be San Gerónimo III, the widely accepted route of Coronado, and a new link connecting the new site to the established route.

What route did the Coronado expedition (1539–1542) really take? Doolittle revisits the famed expedition route, revealing new evidence and a revised path through the Southwest. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #CoronadoExpedition #Arizona #Sonora

Hopkins et al. 2016. Victor Sarracino at the remains of the Frank Yawea sheep camp. Photograph by T. J. Ferguson, June 28, 2013.

In partnership with the Laguna Pueblo, Hopkins et al. trace the story of sheepherding in the Southwest around Mount Taylor—where archaeology meets lived tradition. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Archaeology #LagunaPueblo #SouthwestHistory #IndigenousHeritage

Calling all student researchers! Enter the Julian D. Hayden Paper Competition for a chance to win $1,000 and publication in Kiva. Open to undergrad and grad students. Deadline is January 9th. aahs1916.org/grant/annual...
#SouthwestArchaeology #SouthwestHistory #Archaeology #StudentResearch

Want to get paid to be published? Enter the Julian D. Hayden Paper Competition for undergrad & grad students—win $1,000 and publication in KIVA! Apply by Jan 9. aahs1916.org/grant/annual...
#SouthwestArchaeology #SouthwestHistory #Archaeology #Southwest #StudentResearch

Stokes & Gregory 2020. Spiral iridescent clear glass bead from Burial 5 (Feature 14) at AZ BB:13:1(REC) (Stokes and Schilling 2007:Figure 118).

Archaeology at Spanish Mission San Xavier del Bac uncovers how Sobaipuri O’odham villagers navigated faith, trade, and resistance during early Spanish encounters. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #Oodham #SanXavierdelBac #Tucson

Hernandez 2020. Pueblo warrior with shield, and bow and arrow from Pottery Mound, Kiva 7, Layer 8, South Wall. Image redrawn by Christopher Hernandez from Schaafsma (2000).

Did Ancestral Pueblo peoples fight battles, not just raids? Hernandez uncovers early evidence of organized warfare as early as A.D. 1200 in the Southwest. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #PuebloHistory #AncientWarfare

Gruner 2013. Masked dancer with cross and robes, depicted on a late sixteenth or early seventeenth century Tabira black-on-white vessel (image courtesy Jeanette Mobley-Tanaka).

What did Catholic ritual items mean to indigenous communities during the Pueblo Revolt? Gruner’s research shows they became powerful symbols of Indigenous identity. doi.org/10.1179/0023...
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Archaeology #PuebloRevolt #SouthwestHistory #NativeAmericanHistory

Photo of Bison by Andy Witchger Bison Badlands National Park.jpg on Wikimedia.org

New isotopic evidence by Sharpe et al. shows bison roamed New Mexico’s San Agustin plains, far beyond today’s ranges—living alongside humans for centuries. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #Bison #Zooarchaeology #NewMexico

Caseldine 2025. Development of Ancestral O’Odham irrigation along the lower Salt River through time. Period key: A – Pioneer Period, B – Colonial Period, C – Sedentary Period, D – early Classic Period, and E – late Classic Period.

Centuries before Phoenix, the Hohokam built vast canals in the Salt River Valley. New research by Christopher Caseldine sheds light on their history and scale. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #Hohokam #Arizona

Huckleberry 1992. Formation and depositional processes of a prehistoric canal.

What clues about the past can soil reveal? In this vintage 1992 article, Huckleberry, our AAHS speaker in September, looked at Arizona’s Salt River Valley where traces of ancient Hohokam irrigation still remain. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #Arizona

Crown 1987. A typology of water storage features

In this classic 1987 KIVA article, Crown looks at native water storage across the Southwest, which empowered native peoples to not only survive, but thrive in arid conditions. doi.org/10.1080/0023... #Archaeology #WaterHistory #SouthwestHistory #IndigenousInnovation #DesertSurvival

Ackerly 1988. Map of the Phoenix Basin showing the various canals discussed in the text

Did failing canals cause Hohokam decline? In this vintage 1988 Kiva article, Ackerly looked at evidence which showed salinization and water-logging weren’t likely to blame. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #IrrigationHistory #Arizona

A portion of Frank Midvale’s 1968 map.

In this vintage 1968 Kiva article, Frank Midvale mapped 315+ miles of Hohokam canals in the Salt River Valley—expanding our understanding of the scale of prehistoric irrigation. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #AncestralOOdham #SouthwestHistory #IrrigationHistory #Arizona

How did desert farmers thrive for centuries? This week we highlight the archaeology of Hohokam canals in Arizona.
#Archaeology #WaterHistory #SouthwestHistory #IndigenousInnovation #DesertSurvival

Mathiowetz 2025. Clowns in the U.S. Southwest/Northwest Mexico. (a) Koshare, Classic Mimbres bowl (MimPIDD #4010), site unknown (after Brody 2004:fig. 34). (b) Graffito-style wall painting of striped figure, Unit 16, Paquimé, Chihuahua, Mexico. Digital image of line art drawing originally published in Casas Grandes, Volume 4, page 222, Figure 150–4. Courtesy of the Amerind Foundation, Inc., Dragoon, Arizona. Alice Wesche, Artist. (c) Koshare handprint. Pictograph at Feather Cave, NM (after Ellis and Hammack 1968:fig. 2). (d) Legs of probable Koshare, Awatovi kiva mural, Room 528, Left Wall Design 1 (after Smith 1952:fig. 69a). (e) Koshare with feathered serpent, Abo Painted Rocks, NM (after watercolor by Polly Schaafsma). (f) Koshare, Painted Cave, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico (after Rohn 1989:116). (g) Koshare climbing tree, Group M Cavate M-100 (east wall), Frijoles Canyon, Pajarito Plateau, NM (after Liebmann 2012:fig. 7.1). Drawings by author unless noted otherwise.

More than entertainers, Puebloan clowns connected ritual, healing, and leadership. Their origins may lie in Casas Grandes, Chihuahua(AD 1200–1450) doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#SouthwestHistory #Archaeology #PuebloCulture #CasasGrandes

Seymour 2025. Classic arrowheads, both metal and stone, all from the San Geronimo III site. S-1251 is the specimen used to define this type, but S-283 and S-1653 seem to be variations on this style, other than possessing only a single side notch.

What were armas de la tierra? Unconventional weapons from the Coronado expedition shed light on battles and first encounters with the Sobaipuri O’odham. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #SouthwestHistory #CoronadoExpedition #FirstContact #IndigenousHeritage

Gillreath-Brown & Kohler 2024. Low-frequency July temperature anomaly reconstruction for the southwestern United States as defined in inset (based on Gillreath-Brown et al. 2024:Figure 5). The extent of the SWUS inset is approximately: xmin = −112.82, xmax = −105.52, ymin = 32.66, ymax = 38.90. Blue line fitted by loess (local polynomial regression fitting) smoothing (α = 0.15). Negative values on the y-axis indicate temperatures cooler than the 1961–1990 average; the horizontal line at 0 marks the average July temperature from 1961–1990. Negative values on x-axis indicate years BC.

How did El Niño and La Niña cycles shape Pueblo history? By driving maize farming success in wet years and hardship in dry ones. doi.org/10.1080/0023...
#Archaeology #ClimateHistory #SouthwestHistory #Maize #Pueblo

Maize, Mobility, and Memory: Small-Scale Migration and the Birth of Early Farming in the Sonoran Desert How projectile points, burials, and bones trace the subtle migrations that shaped the ancient Southwest

New research suggests small-scale male-led migrations brought maize & culture to the ancient Sonoran Desert, shaping the early Southwest. Dart points, burials & bones tell the story. #Archaeology #Migration #SouthwestHistory #HumanEvolution