Coyote Wash Pueblo Chronology Construction Project
For this project, you are presented with a set of data from the Coyote Wash Pueblo, a
hypothetical Ancestral Pueblo site from the American Southwest. Using the information
provided (e.g. site plan, provided dates, ceramic information) on the course project Gaucho Space
page, write up a chronological report analyzing the history of the site. Including an introduction
and conclusion, your project report must address the following:
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3
Reconstruct the relative chronology of the construction and expansion of
the pueblo. Using the information on the site plan (e.g., architecture, wall
alignments, presence of subfloor deposits) identify the set of rooms first
constructed. Next, determine the blocks of rooms that were apparently
added to the initial construction, and the sequence in which they were
added. Include a figure that indicates the sequence of construction,
accompanied by a written justification. You may find a color-coded
approach using the provided maps to be best suited for this.
Using the tree-ring and radiocarbon dates, offer your best interpretation
of the absolute dates associated with each construction phase or room
addition. Include a figure that indicates your best interpretation of
the chronological phases. Again, a color-coded approach may be well
suited for this.
How do you interpret the differences in the total number of pottery sherds
found on the floor's surface in each room versus the sherds found in
excavation (i.e., total fill sherds)? Include a graphical representation of
the pottery fill sequence alongside your written explanation.
The text of the Pueblo Construction Chronology Project must be approximately two [2]
pages in length or approximately 500-750 words. It must include graphs, data, and images
included in the project handout to provide support for your arguments. No sources aside from
course resources are required for this assignment. You must properly cite, in text, any resources
you do use from the class to defend your arguments. All information from these sources must
be properly cited according to Chicago Author/Date format.
Each posted question must include an associated graph/figure visualizing how you are
interpreting the relative chronology for a minimum of three [3] included figures. Each
paragraph must directly reference and explain your figures and each graph must come
with a key. Plot out and explain the patterns you observed in the archaeological record – why
did you come to the conclusions you reached given the data provided to you? Grading Criteria
Assignment Rubric
Quality: content accuracy, specificity, citations to
support arguments, depth of argument,
persuasiveness.
Quantity: adequacy (length), compactness.
definitions of terms used, provides details, provides
examples to illustrate points, comparisons used
when appropriate.
Visualization: use of graphs to visualize data.
Graphical Representation
Content
Style: Organization
Structure: includes all listed sections. Includes
robust introduction and conclusions. Includes thesis
statement. Sequence (rational flow, logical
organization - doesn't ramble), appearance (correct
margins and headings, neatness, etc.), pagination,
correct citation format (Chicago Author/Date).
Total Score:
Style: Clarity
Sentences: clarity, relevance (on-topic), fluency, no
use of clichés, no use of unknown referents.
Paragraphs: structure (topic sentences,
development), length (not too short or too long -
minimum paragraph size is 3 sentences; a paragraph
should not extend longer than the full length of a
single page), coherence.
Diction: conciseness, no overuse of the passive
voice and weak verbs, no repetitive phrasing, does
not use exaggeration, no overuse of modifiers or
misplaced modifiers.
Vocabulary: correct word choice, no repetition of
words, no use of colloquialisms.
Style: Grammar
Use of correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Appropriate sentence length.
Score
30
30
10
20
10
100