Exploring the Shivwits production zone

Jensen, Eva

This study provides three areas of exploration of the prehistoric Virgin Anasazi Pueblo period. Three research questions are posed. Are there substantial Virgin Puebloan sites on the Shivwits Plateau? Through compiled site data and analysis of settlement models the information supports the conclusion that there was a substantial prehistoric use of the Shivwits Plateau. Was the sherd-tempered Shivwits Plain and Shivwits Corrugated pottery produced on the Shivwits Plateau? Samples collected from five sites on the Plateau are examined. Temporal analysis and characterization cannot support the hypothesis at this time. Were the sites on the Shivwits Plateau situated to take advantage of movement of people and goods, particularly the Shivwits Plain and Shivwits Corrugated pottery. between the upland Western Plateaus and the neighboring Lowland Muddy-Virgin Valley? Examining the information from the five sample sites there is not a strong indication these sites were involved in interaction with the lowland.