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Prehistoric Irrigation in Central Utah: Chronology, Agricultural Economics, and Implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2020

Steven R. Simms Open the ORCID record for Steven R. Simms [Opens in a new window] ,
Tammy M. Rittenour ,
Chimalis Kuehn  and
Molly Boeka Cannon
Steven R. Simms*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-0730, USA
Tammy M. Rittenour
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-4505, USA
Chimalis Kuehn
Affiliation:
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Elko, NV89801, USA
Molly Boeka Cannon
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT84322-0730, USA
*
(s.simms@usu.edu, corresponding author)
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Abstract

In 1928, Noel Morss was shown “irrigation ditches” along Pleasant Creek on the Dixie National Forest near Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, by a local guide who contended they were ancient. We relocated the site and mapped the route of an unusual mountain irrigation canal. We conducted excavations and employed OSL and AMS 14C showing historic irrigation, and an earlier event between AD 1460 and 1636. Geomorphic evidence indicates that the canal existed prior to this time, but we cannot date its original construction. The canal is 7.2 km long, originating at 2,450 m asl and terminating at 2,170 m asl. Less than half of the system was hand constructed. We cannot ascribe the prehistoric use-event to an archaeological culture, language, or ethnic group, but the 100+ sites nearby are largely Fremont in cultural affiliation. We also report the results of experimental modeling of the capital and maintenance costs of the system, which holds implications for irrigation north of the Colorado River and farming during the Little Ice Age. The age of the prehistoric canal is consistent with a fragmentary abandonment of farming and continuity between ancient and modern tribes in Utah.

En 1928, Noel Morss mostró “zanjas de riego” a lo largo de Pleasant Creek en el Bosque Nacional Dixie cerca del Parque Nacional Capitol Reef, Utah, por un guía local que afirmó que eran antiguos. Reubicamos el sitio y mapeamos la ruta de un inusual canal de riego de montaña. Realizamos excavaciones y empleamos OSL y AMS 14C que mostraban riego histórico, y un evento anterior entre 1460 y 1636 dC. La evidencia geomórfica indica que el canal existía antes de este tiempo, pero no podemos fechar su construcción original. El canal tiene 7,2 km de largo, se origina a 2.450 my termina a 2.170 m. Menos de la mitad del sistema fue construido a mano. No podemos atribuir el evento de uso prehistórico a una cultura arqueológica, idioma o grupo étnico, pero los más de 100 sitios cercanos son en gran parte de Fremont en afiliación cultural. También informamos los resultados del modelado experimental de los costos de capital y mantenimiento del sistema que tiene implicaciones para el riego al norte del río Colorado y la agricultura durante la Pequeña Edad de Hielo. La edad del canal prehistórico es consistente con un abandono fragmentario de la agricultura y la continuidad entre las tribus antiguas y modernas en Utah.

Keywords

FremontAmerican SouthwestNative American agricultureirrigationfarmingUtahColorado PlateauFremontAmerican Southwestagricultura Nativa AmericanariegoagriculturaUtahColorado Plateau
Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 85 , Issue 3 , July 2020 , pp. 452 - 469
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 by the Society for American Archaeology

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