Cohonina
Encyclopedia
The Cohonina peoples inhabited the north-western area of Arizona
, to the west of the Grand Canyon
in the United States
. First identified in 1937 by Lyndon Hargrave, surveying pottery for the Museum of Northern Arizona, they are named for the Hopi
term for the Yuman, Havasupai, and Walapai peoples who inhabited the area and are thought to be descended from the Cohonina. They in turn have lent their name to Coconino County, Arizona
. They are thought to have lived between 500 and 1200, evolving alongside the Anasazi and enjoying a period of fertility, producing "significant" amounts of pottery, before worsening weather conditions - arid soils and rain erosion - forced them from their homelands. Several lines of evidence led to a theory that a climate change
episode caused a severe drought
in the region from 1276 to 1299, forcing these agriculture-dependent cultures to move on. Archaeological evidence of the Cohonina disappears beyond this period.
period pottery, often decorated, has been found alongside evidence of maize
cultivation. These pieces are largely constructed using "paddle-and-anvil" methods, with black and grey illustrations, and are found west of the San Francisco Peaks
, east of Aubrey Cliffs
, and south of the Grand Canyon.
The area was largely pine forest, and the Cohoninia may have utilised wild plants are the mainstay of their agriculture. They also used obsidian
to construct arrowheads and for trade.
, the Cohonina underwent three distinct periods of construction. Between 700-900, their homes consisted of "deep timber-lined pit houses with rooftop entry and ventilator shafts." Often these structures different in material depending on the season. Between 900 and 1100 large walls of stone surrounded Cohonina forts, and masonry has been found in housing dated from this period.
Between 1100 and 1250, residences utilised masonry and San Francisco Mountain Gray Ware stone, though production of this stopped after 1275.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, to the west of the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. First identified in 1937 by Lyndon Hargrave, surveying pottery for the Museum of Northern Arizona, they are named for the Hopi
Hopi
The Hopi are a federally recognized tribe of indigenous Native American people, who primarily live on the Hopi Reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi area according to the 2000 census has a population of 6,946 people. Their Hopi language is one of the 30 of the Uto-Aztecan language...
term for the Yuman, Havasupai, and Walapai peoples who inhabited the area and are thought to be descended from the Cohonina. They in turn have lent their name to Coconino County, Arizona
Coconino County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. They are thought to have lived between 500 and 1200, evolving alongside the Anasazi and enjoying a period of fertility, producing "significant" amounts of pottery, before worsening weather conditions - arid soils and rain erosion - forced them from their homelands. Several lines of evidence led to a theory that a climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
episode caused a severe drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
in the region from 1276 to 1299, forcing these agriculture-dependent cultures to move on. Archaeological evidence of the Cohonina disappears beyond this period.
Archaeological evidence
The majority of the archaeological evidence that does exist consists of agricultural remnants and pottery. Pueblo I EraPueblo I Era
The Pueblo I Era, from AD 750 to 900, was the first period in which Ancient Pueblo People began living in pueblo structures and realized an evolution in architecture, artistic expression, and water conservation...
period pottery, often decorated, has been found alongside evidence of maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
cultivation. These pieces are largely constructed using "paddle-and-anvil" methods, with black and grey illustrations, and are found west of the San Francisco Peaks
San Francisco Peaks
The San Francisco Peaks are a volcanic mountain range located in north central Arizona, just north of Flagstaff.The highest summit in the range, Humphreys Peak, is the highest point in the state of Arizona at in elevation. The San Francisco Peaks are the remains of an eroded stratovolcano...
, east of Aubrey Cliffs
Aubrey Cliffs
Aubrey Cliffs is an approximate cliff escarpment located in Coconino County in northwest Arizona.- References :*...
, and south of the Grand Canyon.
The area was largely pine forest, and the Cohoninia may have utilised wild plants are the mainstay of their agriculture. They also used obsidian
Obsidian
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth...
to construct arrowheads and for trade.
Construction
According to research by the Anthropology Department at the Northern Arizona UniversityNorthern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
, the Cohonina underwent three distinct periods of construction. Between 700-900, their homes consisted of "deep timber-lined pit houses with rooftop entry and ventilator shafts." Often these structures different in material depending on the season. Between 900 and 1100 large walls of stone surrounded Cohonina forts, and masonry has been found in housing dated from this period.
Between 1100 and 1250, residences utilised masonry and San Francisco Mountain Gray Ware stone, though production of this stopped after 1275.