The Dendrochronology of the Reconstruction of Kinishba

Abstract

Dendroarchaeology is often discussed with reference to prehistoric contexts; however, it is equally relevant in historical contexts. Dendroarchaeological analysis independently dates the modem reconstruction of prehistoric Kinishba Pueblo with higher resolution than known documentary sources provide and illuminates reroofing practices. Kinishba is a large Mountain Mogollon pueblo on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in east-central Arizona. Historically, the reconstructed Kinishba is attributed to the 1930s work of Byron Cummings. Nineteen dates from structural beams in nine rooms of the pueblo form a tight cluster with a strong terminal peak at 1950. This peak combined with beam and architectural attributes provides evidence for an undocumented, extensive reroofing episode. Thus, the target event was not the building of reconstructed rooms as originally expected, but replacement of the original reconstructed roofs. This study illustrates two important dendroarchaeological points. First, preconceived ideas, even if based on sound research, should not influence sample dating, which should be free of bias. Second, this study illustrates the importance of tree-ring dates in archaeology and the potential conflict between other types of data and tree-ring dates.