The Yamashita Sites
In Southern Nevada, the Moapa Valley contains the remains of
ancient Anasazi dwellings. Many of these were built along the
terraces of Anasazi Bench, which rises above the floodplain of
the Muddy River. Eight sites along the Bench were located on
land belonging to the Yamashita family. In 1989, the family
granted permission for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(UNLV) to survey and excavate these sites under the direction of
Dr. Margaret Lyneis.
Named after the Yamashita family,
the sites are numbered 1 through 8. Yamashita-2, 3, 4, and 5 are
located on the upper terrace of Anasazi Bench, while
Yamashita-6, 7 and 8 are located on the lower terrace closer to
the floodplain. The development of a gravel quarry has destroyed
Yamashita-1 and portions of Yamashita-2.
The area was surveyed and surface
collections made at Yamashita-1 and Yamashita-4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
The Yamashita-8 site had been investigated prior to UNLV's
efforts. The remains of adobe structures were discovered at
Yamashita-2 and 3. These structures contained habitation rooms
with some of the attached rooms forming an arc-shaped alignment.
A more linear arrangement of attached storerooms was also
present.
The architectural styles and
ceramic types indicate Virgin Anasazi occupation of the sites
during the Pueblo II period (A.D. 1000-1150). Evidence of later
occupation by the Southern Paiute is also present The
collections from the Yamashita sites are curated at the UNLV
Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, except for the
Yamashita-8 collection.
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