Gravel quarrying operations in 1962 at the well-known Clovis site north of Portales in eastern New Mexico uncovered important new evidence of Early Man. In February, a total of 17 punched blades was found after being mechanically exhumed and, on the basis of inferential evidence, these blades are assigned to the Llano complex that dates back some 11,000 to 13,000 years. The term “Clovis blade” is proposed for this new artifact type, which is discussed in detail. These implements, and the recent discovery of several blade-tools associated with the remains of four mammoths now being excavated by the El Llano Archaeological Society, lead to the postulation of a blade industry for the Llano complex; and evidence which indicates the persistence of the punched-blade technique up through Agate Basin times is presented.

On the basis of technology, distribution, and apparent similarities to Upper Paleolithic blade cultures of the Old World, the classic Paleo-Indian cultures characterized by fluted points are believed to represent a unique, late Pleistocene migration that is temporally, culturally, and spatially distinct from the extremely early cultures of the Pacific coastal regions.

Two Peruvian textile specimens from beneath the temple of Pachacamac (Uhle Collection, University Museum, University of Pennsylvania) show the use, in conjunction with plangi-type tie-dye, of patterning which has the general appearance of tie-dye work, except for a reversal of the basic dark-light color relationship. A consideration of the different methods by which such patterning could have been produced indicates that a batik or batiklike technique probably was used. A few other specimens which appear to have been patterned by the same technique have been reported. Although the evidence is insufficient to justify definite conclusions concerning either the presence or absence of batik in pre-Columbian Peru, strong support is provided for the probability of its presence.

Archaeological investigations at La Playa site, 75 miles south of the international border in northern Sonora, Mexico, have yielded detailed information on the Trincheras culture. This culture, which is associated with the drainages of the Magdalena and Altar rivers, is characterized by terraced-hillside sites, rock corrals or enclosures, and a ceramic complex consisting primarily of Trincheras Purple-on-red and Trincheras Polychrome. Intrusions of Trincheras sherds into dated sites of southern Arizona indicate a date range of A.D. 800 to 1100 for the complex in its most typical form. Comparisons of the La Playa artifact assemblage with surrounding archaeological manifestations indicate close parallels with the Desert Hohokam culture of Papagueria, and on the basis of these comparisons the Trincheras culture is considered a part of this complex.

A series of Paleo-Indian and Archaic projectile points with burin facets at either the proximal or distal end is described. Most of the points come from Texas. The burin facets appear to be intentional products of the burin technique, used either for the production of burins and burin spalls, or for modifying the shape of the point itself. Paleo-Indian point types with burin facets include Clovis, Cumberland, Folsom, Plainview, Meserve, Angostura, and a number of variant forms. The data suggest that the burin or the burin technique may have been widespread throughout North America during early fluted-point times.

The practice of seasonal transhumance was a central feature of the Desert culture of the western Great Basin. Ethnographic studies have provided us with considerable knowledge of the land-use and seasonal rounds of protohistoric groups such as the Kuzedika Paiute of Mono Lake, California. Archaeology carries ethnography backward in time, indicating that Paiute sites were formerly utilized by a long succession of predecessors, most of whom were generalized Desert culture gatherers who hunted on the side.

An analysis of projectile points from the Sierra piedmont indicates that Desert culture peoples ranged very high and were upland hunters at certain seasons. On the other hand, the earliest people were valley and grassland hunters. Recent discoveries of both Clovis and Folsom artifacts in the stream valleys of Nevada and California point to a pre-Desert culture way of life, with an emphasis on big meat rather than on seeds, roots, insects, and rodents. The transition from this early hunting of large, grassland herbivores to later general collecting and to seasonal transhumance appears to represent an unbroken evolution. These changes are shown by intergrading point types which constitute part of the data in this study.

A collection of nonhuman, mammalian osteological materials from 12 archaeological sites was examined. The sites range in age from Circle Prairie phase (about A.D. 1) through Point of Pines phase (about A.D. 1450). A total of 3282 individual bones and 29 complete skeltons was identified to genus, and to species whenever possible. An additional 348 bones were identified to the ordinal level only. A comparison of the 26 genera identified from the archaeological material with the mammals known historically from this area shows a striking continuity between past and present. Odocoileus and Antilocapra bones were analyzed for ratio of adults to juveniles, and for the relative numbers of the various members of the skeleton. These analyses were made to gain information on the hunting habits of the prehistoric inhabitants. Bones of a pathological artiodactyl wrist are discussed.

In February, 1963, an unusual discovery was made at La Ventilla, less than a mile from the “Ciudadela” in Teotihuacán, Mexico. This find is a composite or sectional stela made up of four superimposed elements that fit into each other by means of stems and orifices. All elements are different in form and are, from top to bottom, discoidal, globular, conical, and cylindrical, the last fitting into a platform base. This piece is unique in Mesoamerican archaeology and seems to have no significant parallels elsewhere. This stela was carved during the Classic period of Teotihuacán. Its function has been clarified through comparison with mural paintings of the Tlalocan in Tepantitla, Teotihuacán, where a ball-game scene is portrayed, and at each end is a stela that is almost identical with that of La Ventilla. It seems evident that the La Ventilla monument is a ball-court stela-marker.

The Applied Science Center for Archaeology of the University Museum in Philadelphia is now experimenting with devices that will facilitate the task of precise location and even discovery of cultural strata. The Geohm resistometer and the proton magnetometer are both being used satisfactorily, and further development of a new sonic device has begun. The Center has also been studying new techniques for the determination of trace elements in metals and ceramics, and the thermoluminescence method for dating pottery and other fired objects. In cooperation with the already established radiocarbon laboratory, a project is underway to acquire and date tree samples of very great age. The Center is also gathering and cross-indexing information on completed analyses carried out with the various dating devices and techniques. This information is drawn from both published and unpublished materials.

In their recent description of Machalilla culture Meggers and Evans deny that Machalilla is related to any other known ceramic complexes. It is suggested that Machalilla may be related to Late Tutishcainyo and may have entered coastal Ecuador from the western Amazon basin.

In a recent article Borhegyi identifies certain stone objects as part of special gear worn by players in Mesoamerican ball games. He cites descriptions by early Spanish observers of the game as well as archaeological representations of ball-game gear. Borhegyi's interpretation is not supported by either the historical documents or the archaeological evidence cited.

Midden profiles encountered in archaeological excavation frequently appear homogeneous despite their known stratigraphic complexity. As an aid to definition of significant zones of deposition, soil pH profiles can be constructed to supplement visual recordings. Such a profile was constructed and shown to be of considerable value in site interpretation. Soil pH zones agreed with known artifact distributions and visual features. The method employed is simple, adaptable to field use, and of sufficient accuracy to provide useful results.