Identification of soil selection and construction techniques of pre-Columbian architecture in the Casas Grandes region

Abstract

This study compares pre-Columbian earthen construction techniques in three archaeological sites of the Casas Grandes region: Paquimé, Arroyo Seco, and Cueva de la Olla. These sites are found in different geological and geomorphological setting, although they present similar architectural typology. Their construction techniques were examined by archaeometric characterization, such as particle-size analysis, thin-section petrography, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. These analyses were performed on samples from walls of archaeological constructions and samples from local material banks previously identified as potential original material source banks. The results demonstrate some common aspects on construction materials and techniques between these sites, such as use of sandy loam, nonexistence of fiber stabilizer, and hand-built coursed adobe. On the other hand, diversity of each site was also found: utilization of soil naturally mixed with calcium carbonate to construct multistoried earthen architecture of Paquimé.