Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Prehistory
The earliest identified human settlement in North America occurs during the Paleoindian period
(10,500–5000 B.C.). Archaeological evidence from this period indicates a nomadic lifestyle with
a subsistence strategy focused on big game hunting. Although Paleoindian groups likely utilized
small game and plant foods in addition to big game, a substantial change in the subsistence
strategy to these food sources marks the transition to the Archaic period (5000 B.C.–A.D. 400).
People during this period were still mobile; however, mobility was more restricted in
geographical extent and cyclical, usually tied to the seasons. Once productive resource
procurement locations were identified, people returned to these locations on a seasonal basis.
Most early (5500–3200 B.C.) and middle (3200–1800 B.C.) Archaic sites appear to be single-use
hunting camps, though grinding tools are encountered at sites, indicating seed and nut processing.
During the late Archaic (1800 B.C. – A.D. 400), major changes were initiated with the acceptance
of horticulture (e.g., maize) into the subsistence strategy and a higher degree of sedentism. In
general, this portion of the Archaic is characterized by a shift from hunting and gathering as the
prime subsistence economy to horticulture, and a much higher site density is noted.
As with most areas of the American Southwest, evidence of Paleoindian people in the region is
sparse. Paleoindian cultural deposits have been found in the Puerco Valley east of Mt. Taylor.
Within the region of the proposed project area, the frequency of Archaic sites increases through
the middle and late Archaic. Evidence for Archaic occupation is most common at San Mateo
Mesa (which includes the mine project area), La Jara Mesa, Lobo Canyon, and Grants Canyon
(Benedict and Hudson 2008).
General cultural developments associated with the Basketmaker III period (A.D. 400–800)
include the appearance of settlements consisting of between 1 and 20 pithouse structures (semisubterranean
dwellings), an everincreasing dependence on cultivated crops, and a continued
practice of local plant food gathering and hunting. During the Pueblo I period (A.D. 800–950),
aboveground masonry dwellings are introduced and the number of sites found in flood plains and
along canyon floors, in proximity to agricultural fields, increases. Agricultural practices began to
include unique methods to improve crop production, such as terracing, irrigation, and gridding.
Settlements continued to increase in size and complexity during the Pueblo II (A.D. 950–1100).
There is a trend toward centralization in larger villages, with associated outlying limited-task sites
(such as field houses) where supporting activities were conducted. The increase in residential
density was met with an increase in the importance of agriculture, with the development of
complex systems for irrigation and water control, along with further development of terraced
gardens and grid systems.
Population in the region during the Basketmaker and Pueblo I periods continued to be low;
however, settlement in the area increased during the Pueblo II period, particularly in the San
Mateo Valley (near the mine project area). Evidence that this increase in population may be
related to the rise of Chaco Canyon as a major cultural center includes the multiple Chaco-related
outlier sites in the vicinity, including in El Rito Canyon and around the village of San Mateo. The
relationship between the populations in Chaco Canyon and the Mt. Taylor area is firmly
demonstrated by the presence of timber beams from Mt. Taylor in Chaco Canyon structures.
Intensive use of the landscape in the San Mateo Valley is shown by the high density of Pueblo IIera
habitation sites (Benedict and Hudson, 2008).
The Pueblo III period (A.D. 1100–1300) shows a dramatic change from its predecessors, with
movement of populations to areas with permanent water sources. The Pueblo IV period (A.D.
302 DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest