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Investigations at Adam 2: A Mesa House Phase Site in the Moapa Valley The best known Anasazi occupation in the Moapa Valley is the Pueblo II period. Numerous sites that date to that period are scattered throughout the valley. This period is characterized by architectural features such as adobe structures, significant agriculture, various ceramics, the bow and arrow and extensive trade relations with groups the east in the Kayenta region and beyond. The Pueblo II in the Moapa Valley can be divided into three periods, each 50 years long. These periods are recognizable the distinctive designs on the painted pottery. Early Pueblo II designs are similar to the Black Mesa style of the Kayenta. Middle Pueblo II is characterized by the introduction of corrugated pottery and traded wares from as far away as the four Corners area. Late Pueblo II, called the Mesa House Phase in the Moapa Valley, pottery saw new and different design elements in the pottery and increased use of corrugated wares. Pottery, such as the Olivine tempered wares, likely to have originated in the area north of the Western Grand Canyon is found in significant quantities throughout the Pueblo II and seems to have reached its peak during the middle period from 1050 AD to 1100 AD. The Mesa House Phase occurs during the final occupation of the Moapa Valley by the Anasazi. It is not known why the Anasazi abandoned Moapa Valley. Drought is speculated to have been a factor in the widespread abandonment of Virgin Anasazi areas to the north and east. The spring fed Muddy River which flows through Moapa Valley is not dependent on rainfall however and drought would not have affected the Moapa Valley. Considerable contact with the groups to the east and north had been maintained by the Moapa Anasazi over the 500 year period of their occupation of the Moapa Valley. Perhaps it is these ties, once broken by the abandonment by the Virgin Anasazi of the northern and east areas that also influenced the abandonment of the Moapa Valley. The excavations at Adam 2 were limited in scope and contexts that preserve significant data were not disturbed. The Adam 2 site is located about 12 meters above the eastern margin of the Muddy River floodplain. It is and has been covered by wind blown sand obscuring much of the remains. The architectural remains that have been documented show a distinct similarity to some of those at the Steve Perkins site located approximately 5km south of Adam 2. The principal structure is described as a curve shape set of adjoining rooms probably used for storage (due to their small size?) that terminated at one end with a large habitation room. Another structure was identified but not excavated but appeared to have rectilinear walls and an attached storage cyst. The alignment of these two, distinct features is not congruent and the relationship between them is not known at this time. A single radiocarbon date, uncorrected of 1140 AD confirms the placement of this site in the late Pueblo II period.