A synthesis of the pithouse architectural sequence of the Nan Ranch Ruin, Grant County, New Mexico

Abstract

Data from twenty-one pithouses recovered beneath a large surf ace pueblo, the NAN Ranch Ruin located in the middle Mimbres River Valley in Southwestern New Mexico, was analyzed to construct an architectural sequence. The architectural style of a round or oval shaped structure gradually evolved to structures that were rectangular or square. In addition to the evolution of the architecture there were other changes found to co-occur in the construction of hearths, ceramic styles, and mortuary customs. It was found that the chronological changes in architectural style and material culture that have been proposed for this region are supported by the documented changes found at the NAN Ranch Ruin. However, the abrupt change from pithouse structures to surface pueblos did not exist. The description of these structures and their contents document the gradual changes in form and material culture through time.