Vecino Economics

Gendered Economy and Micaceous Pottery Consumption in Nineteenth Century Northern New Mexico

Bibliographic Data

ID2655580
AuthorsB Sunday Eiselt (0000-0003-2545-8512, Southern Methodist University, corresponding author), J A Darling (0000-0002-0245-3578, Gila River Indian Community)
Year2012
Volume77
Issue3
Pages424-448
Publication date2012-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7316 • E-ISSN: 2325-5064
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.7183/0002-7316.77.3.424
OpenAlexW2332481880
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited48

Economic reforms introduced by the Bourbon Monarchy after A.D. 1750 ushered in an Hispanic social formation in the northern Rio Grande identified as Vecino. Aspects of Vecino gendered economy are examined through a detailed analysis of five ceramic assemblages from the Chama and Taos Valleys of New Mexico. Geochemical (NAA) and stylistic clues identify the ethnic identities of producers and their relationships to Vecino consumers. Evidence for ceramic production by Vecino women during the nineteenth century is evaluated on the basis of detailed paste analysis of plain and micaceous ceramics as well as the occurrence of pottery-producing tools and clay-cleaning debris. Analytical results reveal that Jicarilla women dominated the production of micaceous cook ware to supply Vecino kitchens. Implications for understanding Vecino economics and the constitution of female-based systems of economic value are considered

Archaeology · Commodity · Constitution · Consumption (sociology · Economic history · Economics · Economy · Ethnic group · Geography · Market economy · Monarchy · Political science · Pottery · Production (economics · Social science · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Natural History · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · History · Law