Predicting Site Abandonment at Wetherill Mesa

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Abstract
The abandonment of sites throughout 800 years of prehistoric occupation of Wetherill Mesa, Colorado is predicted by relating the length of time sites were inhabited to the availability of arable land under conditions of minor climatic fluctuations. The prehistoric climate is derived from dendroclimatological studies. The predictions of site abandonment are obtained through the use of a computer simulation. Results indicate that many abandonments may have been due to decreased crop yields caused by local variation in rainfall and length of the growing season.