1. Dendrochronological Reconstruction • Dates • Relative sequence • Absolute dates • Errors in archeological interpretation • Behavior • Construction habits • Environment • Climate in the past

2. Dendrochronology Dating • Does date of wood sample = construction date?

3. Archeological Interpretation of Dates • Outer date predates construction event • Collected dead tree • Collected a bunch of trees, stockpiled • Reuse a beam from old house • 14th century log used in 1929, Oraibi • Large sites versus distinct sites • Outer date postdates construction event • New log put in during repair • Problem or solution? • Could date repair sequences

4. Date Clustering Saves the Day • Given lots of dates, the date of construction event will be the best cluster of dates • Most frequent date

5. Kin Endeschee

6. Date Clusters • Skewed beginning: slow development of site • Steep ending: fast abandonment • Early dates may be stockpiling, re-use • Late dates may be repair beams • Requires a lot of dates, replication

7. Cutting Date or Not? • Outermost ring was when tree died • Evidence of cutting date: • Bark, best but not common • Complete outer ring • Beetle galleries • Dark patina veneer

8. Non-cutting Dates • Some number of outer rings lost • Erosion • Shaping • Burning • What to do? • Estimate # of outer rings • Admit non-cutting and leave it • Rely on clustering

9. Behavioral Characteristics • Type of cutting devices • Fire • Stone axes • Metal axes • Repair schedules • Stockpiling, cooperation

10. SW Archeology Sequence • Chaco Anasazi: abandoned by 1130-1150 • Start of a long period of drought

11. SW Archeology Sequence • Mesa Verde Anasazi: abandoned by 1280s • In period known as Great Drought

12. SW Archeology Sequence • Kayenta Anasazi: Betatakin, Keet Seel begun by 1250, abandoned by 1300 • Perhaps affected by arroyo formation