Bodies, Ontology, and Bioarchaeology

This volume introduces the place of Arroyo Hondo Pueblo in our understanding of Southwestern Archaeology in the Northern Rio Grande. The author discusses the reanalysis of the skeletal and mortuary remains that draws on a half century of research since the original excavations were conducted by the School of American Research from 1970-1974 under the direction of Douglas W. Schwartz.

The volume offers a close read of the mortuary evidence at Arroyo Hondo Pueblo and integrates ideas about corn as a central feature of Tewa cosmology with this crop as the paramount dietary staple. The author discusses the health consequences of dry-farming subsistence and present evidence for malnutrition and other dietary issues and finally describes the impact of malnutrition and other maladies on the everyday lives of Arroyo Hondo’s villagers. This volume is for readers interested in bioarchaeology, paleopathology, and Southwestern Archaeology.