Oshara tradition facts for kids
| Geographical range | New Mexico, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Period | Archaic, Southwestern Archaic Traditions |
| Dates | ca. 5,440 BCE to 460 CE |
| Type site | Arroyo Cuervo region, New Mexico |
| Preceded by | Picosa culture |
| Followed by | Ancient Pueblo People |
The Oshara Tradition was an ancient culture in the Southwestern United States. They lived in areas that are now New Mexico and Colorado. This culture was part of the larger Picosa culture.
A scientist named Cynthia Irwin-Williams studied the Oshara people. She figured out the different time periods of their culture. She did this work in the Arroyo Cuervo area of New Mexico. She believed that the Ancestral Puebloans, another ancient group, partly came from the Oshara people.
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The Oshara People's Journey
Scientists have found at least six main time periods, or phases, for the Oshara culture. Each phase is known by the types of tools and other items people left behind.
Jay Phase
This was the earliest phase, from about 7,450 to 6,750 years ago. During this time, the Oshara people were hunter-gatherers. This means they found their food by hunting animals and gathering plants. They often lived near canyon heads. They used simple stone tools to prepare their food. They also made long, thin spear points for hunting.
Bajada Phase
This phase lasted from about 6,750 to 5,150 years ago. It is different from the Jay phase because of the new types of spear points found. Scientists also found different kinds of cooking fires and ovens. More places where people lived have been found from this time.
San Jose Phase
The San Jose phase was from about 6,750 to 3,750 years ago. During this time, people started using metates and manos. These were grinding stones used to process food, like seeds. The places where people lived became larger and there were more of them. People also started to leave behind piles of trash, which helps scientists learn about their lives.
Armijo Phase
This phase was from about 3,750 to 2,750 years ago. A big change happened during the Armijo phase: people started growing corn. This meant they could store extra food. Because of this, larger groups of up to 50 people could gather for certain seasons. These gatherings were likely possible because of the stored corn. Cynthia Irwin-Williams thought the Oshara might have been the first culture in the Southwest to grow crops. The spear points from this time were different from other cultures. Later in this phase, the points had jagged edges and stems.
En Medio Phase
The En Medio phase was from about 2,750 to 1,550 years ago. During this time, even more living sites appeared. These sites were often found at the bottom of cliffs. People also started using storage pits to keep their extra food safe. This period was similar to the Basketmaker culture in the Southwest.
Trujillo Phase
The Trujillo phase began about 1,550 years ago. A new and important invention appeared during this time: Pottery. People started making and using clay pots.
Where They Lived
Oshara sites have been found in many places. These include areas near Denver, the Upper Gunnison River basin, and the Mesa Verde area in Colorado. Sites have also been found in New Mexico and Arizona.
