Publication Date

Spring 5-15-2025

Abstract

This study focuses on the organization of architectural labor at Betatakin and Keet Seel during the Tsegi Phase (AD 1250-1300). The goal of this project is to identify whether people worked together as households, suprahouseholds, communities, or had specialists come in to build. I document variability in architectural attributes across rooms within individual houses, which is then linked to builder choices, and thus allows for the identification of architectural products associated with discrete production groups. Builders that work together share their decisions to the extent that their output is distinct from the work of others. This project expands on traditional archaeological assessments of architecture by focusing on earthen architectural materials, such as mortars, plasters, and daub. Results indicate that variability patterns onto room clusters. Architectural labor at Betatakin and Keet Seel thus seems to have been organized at the household level, with individual households responsible for constructing their own spaces.

Keywords

Architecture, Betatakin, Keet Seel, Earthen Plaster

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Anthropology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Anthropology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Patricia Crown

Second Committee Member

Angelyn Bass

Third Committee Member

Kari Schleher

Fourth Committee Member

Michael Spilde

Fifth Committee Member

Loa Traxler

Sixth Committee Member

Wirt H. Wills

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