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Geomorphic context of the prehistoric Huastec floodplain environments: lower Panuco basin, Mexico [An article from: Journal of Archaeological Science]
Book Details
Author(s)P.F. Hudson
PublisherElsevier
ISBN / ASINB000RR17QW
ISBN-13978B000RR17Q2
MarketplaceFrance 🇫🇷
Description
This digital document is a journal article from Journal of Archaeological Science, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Description:
The Huasteca of eastern Mexico is the northern extent of prehistoric Mesoamerican complex culture. In comparison to other major Mesoamerican culture regions, much less is known about the physical environment of the Huasteca. This paper examines the structure, scale, and dynamics of floodplain environments in the lower Panuco basin, the major physical setting in which prehistoric Huastec resided. Data sources included total-station surveying, topographic and historic maps, particle size of floodplain deposits, and analysis of air photos and satellite imagery. Study results illustrate the geoarchaeological significance of spatial changes in floodplain environments. Valley profiles grade from concave to planar in the upper portions of the study area, where the Rio Moctezuma exits the mountains, and are characterized by low floodplain relief and active floodplain reworking. Thus, the narrow valley and dynamic fluvial environment would not have been suitable for sustained habitation. The lower Moctezuma and Panuco valleys have a convex profile with low rates of floodplain reworking, relict meander belts, and floodplain environments that are more prone to flooding. The Panuco valley would have represented a stable environment suitable for habitation along wide natural levees, which are perched above extensive flood prone backswamps with buried relict channels. The absence of multiple oxbow lakes coupled with the association of older Huastec material culture along the active channel suggests that low rates of floodplain reworking have persisted since the late-Holocene, and help to constrain the age of a meander belt for a major river system. Study results provide a framework for future geoarchaeological research within the Huasteca.
Description:
The Huasteca of eastern Mexico is the northern extent of prehistoric Mesoamerican complex culture. In comparison to other major Mesoamerican culture regions, much less is known about the physical environment of the Huasteca. This paper examines the structure, scale, and dynamics of floodplain environments in the lower Panuco basin, the major physical setting in which prehistoric Huastec resided. Data sources included total-station surveying, topographic and historic maps, particle size of floodplain deposits, and analysis of air photos and satellite imagery. Study results illustrate the geoarchaeological significance of spatial changes in floodplain environments. Valley profiles grade from concave to planar in the upper portions of the study area, where the Rio Moctezuma exits the mountains, and are characterized by low floodplain relief and active floodplain reworking. Thus, the narrow valley and dynamic fluvial environment would not have been suitable for sustained habitation. The lower Moctezuma and Panuco valleys have a convex profile with low rates of floodplain reworking, relict meander belts, and floodplain environments that are more prone to flooding. The Panuco valley would have represented a stable environment suitable for habitation along wide natural levees, which are perched above extensive flood prone backswamps with buried relict channels. The absence of multiple oxbow lakes coupled with the association of older Huastec material culture along the active channel suggests that low rates of floodplain reworking have persisted since the late-Holocene, and help to constrain the age of a meander belt for a major river system. Study results provide a framework for future geoarchaeological research within the Huasteca.
