1. Allison Holmes 1
Anth 410
Scoggin
3/29/10
Prehistoric Pinyon Exploitation in the Southwestern Great Basin: A view From the
Coso Range
Article Review
An archaeological survey that ranged over an area of 2,564 acres at Naval Air
Weapons Station, China Lake, California. The article reviews the works of pinyon-
juniper nut exploitation in the area, the authors William R. Hildebrant and Allika
Ruby, clearly execute their methods and research findings. A total of 184
prehistoric sites were recorded and used to investigate alternative models of the
origins of intensive pinyon nut use in the southwestern Great Basin.
The structure and content is clearly presented in the beginning of the article.
The authors first touch on other projects and articles written by other researchers
on pinyon nut exploitation in the Great Basin and their theories and ideas on the
subject. They explain the work of Bettinger, whose research consists of the cost of
associated with their harvest and transport across the landscape. Most of Bettinger
research focuses on the benefits of brown-cone harvesting. Where as the research of
McGuire and Garfinkel propose the green-cone/ brown-cone distinction, which
method was more beneficial. “ Brown-cone harvesting appears relatively efficient
because it requires little energy expenditure and can be accomplished with simple
technology, but competition with birds and rodents during the short time when nuts
were accessible limited the overall productivity of this strategy” (pg. 13). However
Bettinger and Baumhoff explain, “because green cone procurement begins well in
advance of full cone ripening, competition with animals is virtually eliminated, and
the period of harvest – and the overall take of nuts – is much greater than with
brown cone procurement.”
Next the article explains the natural context of the Coso Target Range.
Everything is very detailed and laid out in an easy to understand manner. The
authors explain the size of the range, elevation, topography, vegetation, and animal
species within the area. The survey methods are structured very well, random
sample units and target sample units. Each grid type is explained with dimensions
and reasons to their placement. “Due to the high archaeological sensitivity of the
pinyon-juniper zone, the Target Range was divided into two sample domains:
Pinyon and Non-Pinyon. Pinyon units included 500 x 500 m. quads where pinyon-
juniper vegetation covered at least 20% of the area (n=191), while the Non-Pinyon
units included quads with less than 20% pinyon-juniper (n=349)” (pg. 16). Figure 2.
is a clear map of where the units are and the legend is easy to understand and
legible.
The chronology of the artifacts found is laid out well and are dated with
obsidian hydration data. Obsidian hydration data was not explained, and for a
reader that does not know about the methods to carry out that dating method, it
could be very confusing. There are great illustrations of all the projectile points
found during the survey and arranged by date. Prehistoric site types are explained
and divied into three basic settlement categories: Pinyon Camps, Temporary Camps,

2. 2
and Pinyon Caches. Each settlement type explained in great detail. The time periods
of the occupation are discussed.
In conclusion, the findings of the research project indicate that fully ripened
nuts were probably used on a regular basis deep into antiquity, but more intensive
harvest of green-cone pinyon nuts largely occurred after 1,350 B.P. “This conclusion
was based on survey data showing an association between post- 1,350 B.P.
projectile points (Rose Spring, Desert series) and “domestic facilities” (i.e. rock rings
and/or milling gear), and the absence of this association with projectile forms
predating 1.350 B.P. (e.g., Elko, Humboldt, and Pinto series)” (pg. 28).
This is a very well laid out and informative article. It was very easy to
understand, which to me is a big key factor, because if it is just rabbles on about one
subject or another and never gets to the point I can not stay focused on what the
article is actually about. This is a great article sort of summing up all the projects
that have taken place in terms of pinyon nut exploitation benefits. I like how the
authors bring other research into the article to help support their findings. Overall I
really enjoyed this article, I thought it was clear and detailed but not over detailed.
The ending conclusion was well support and the research question was clearly
answered.