regional
chronology
Age of Sites:
Near the project area, Pueblo I communities have been identified in three valleys: the Dolores River
Valley, the Upper Animas River Valley, and the Upper San Juan River Valley. As can be seen from the
graph below, the peak of population in the Dolores River Valley occurred between 850-875; in the
Upper Animas Valley between 775-800; and in the Upper San Juan River Valley between 875-900. As
can also be seen from this graph, the majority of the MAPL sites were occupied at a time when
population levels at these nearby communities were not at their maximum.
Valley, the Upper Animas River Valley, and the Upper San Juan River Valley. As can be seen from the
graph below, the peak of population in the Dolores River Valley occurred between 850-875; in the
Upper Animas Valley between 775-800; and in the Upper San Juan River Valley between 875-900. As
can also be seen from this graph, the majority of the MAPL sites were occupied at a time when
population levels at these nearby communities were not at their maximum.
The Dolores-Dove Creek area sites (blue
boxes) were occupied during the time when population was growing in the
nearby Dolores River Valley. The inhabitants of these two sites could
have moved into the valley after leaving their mesa-top sites.
The Durango area sites (red boxes) were occupied during the time when population was sharply
declining in the nearby Upper Animas River Valley. These four sites were apparently part of a mesa-
top refugium in the early 800's.
declining in the nearby Upper Animas River Valley. These four sites were apparently part of a mesa-
top refugium in the early 800's.
The Aztec area sites (green boxes) were occupied during the time when population was starting to
increase, and increasing sharply, in the nearby Upper San Juan River Valley. The inhabitants of these three sites could have moved into the valley after leaving their upland sites.
increase, and increasing sharply, in the nearby Upper San Juan River Valley. The inhabitants of these three sites could have moved into the valley after leaving their upland sites.