ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the archaeological record at three playas—flat bottom depressions that fill with seasonal rainfall to form lakes—on the west side of the Taos Plateau. For ease of communication, I will refer to these playas as Punche Lake, Arroyo Punche, and Three Basins throughout this chapter (Figure 5.1). Playas have been attractive areas for both humans and large game large-game animals throughout time. In the spring, these natural depressions provide an easily accessible source of water for animal and human communities moving across the arid grasslands of the Plateau. During the dry summer months, the water in these playas evaporates, leaving behind high concentrations of salt, making this an attractive area for wild game.2 As a seasonal source of water, even during warmer climatic periods, playas are uniquely suited for task-specific activities such as hunting wild game and provide a well-provisioned and protected locus for domestic encampments.
