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Current Productivity and Prehistoric Use of Piñon (Pinus edulis, Pinaceae) in the Dolores Archaeological Project Area, Southwestern Colorado

Productividad e uso Prehistórico de Piñon (Pinus edulis) en del Valle de Dolores River, Sudoeste Colorado

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Abstract

The possible contribution of pinon (Pinus edulis) seed to the diet of an Anasazi population is investigated using present data on seed productivity and archaeological data on resource use. Annual estimates of total productivity for a 135.7 sq km study area in Montezuma County, Colorado, vary by a factor of 141 in a sample spanning 5 yr. Trees greater than about 25 cm (basal diameter) are usually monoecious and produce significantly more cones per tree but fewer good seeds per cone than smaller, usually dioecious specimens. Archaeological data suggest that piñon seed was a relatively unimportant food item after the initial period of Anasazi colonization of the Dolores River valley about a.D. 600. Use of piñon seed as food was inversely related to degree of agricultural intensification and use of piñon for fuel.

Resumen

La posible contribución de la semilla de pino (Pinus edulis) para la dieta de una población Anasazi es investigada usando información sobre la productividad de la semilla e información arqueológica en el uso de este recurso. Se estima que anvalmente la productividad de la semilla de pino en un area de 135.7 km2 en Montezuma County, Colorado, varia alrededorde un factor de 141 en una muestra 1 por un período de cinco anos. Arboles más grandes de 25 cm son generalmente monoecios y producen significativamente más conos por árbol pero menos viables semillas que los especimenes más pequeños y usualmente dioecios. La información arqueológica sugiere que la semilla de pino era insignificante en la dieta despues del periodo inicial de colonizacion intensiva del valle del Dolores River, alrededor de 600 a.D. El uso de la semilla de pino se relaciona inversamente algrado de intensificación agricola y el uso del pino como combustible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Fort Lewis College, CO 81301, Durango

    M. Lisa Floyd

  2. Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, WA 99164–4910, Pullman

    Timothy A. Kohler

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  1. M. Lisa Floyd
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  2. Timothy A. Kohler
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Floyd, M.L., Kohler, T.A. Current Productivity and Prehistoric Use of Piñon (Pinus edulis, Pinaceae) in the Dolores Archaeological Project Area, Southwestern Colorado. Econ Bot 44, 141–156 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860482

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860482

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