The Pueblos-First Stage

Around 500 or 600 A.D., another people came to the Boulder Dam area from northeastern Arizona or southeastern Utah. These were the round-headed people which archeologists refer to as Pueblo II.

It is not known whether the Pueblo II people conquered the basketmakers by force or by peaceful means. However, the new ideas they brought with them were merged with the those of the original inhabitants.

The most noticeable change during this time was the abandonment of the large circular pit dwelling in favor of groups of disconnected smaller rooms. Still partly underground, the above ground part was built of layers of adobe (logs plastered with mud). The entrance was now through a side wall rather than through the roof. Near these buildings were small bins of adobe for storing corn.

Student at doorway of pueblo replica on museum grounds.

Pottery decoration changed from the fine black lines and dots on a gray background to bold sprawling designs in heavy black on a white background.

As time passed, the houses of these people developed into houses containing many rooms surrounding a courtyard often circular or horseshoe shaped. This was the period of "Pueblo Grande do Nevada" or the "Lost City". This settlement extended along the east bank of the Muddy River from a point almost opposite Overton for five miles downstream. The largest house of this group was nearly 100 rooms. Only a few sunken rooms were still constructed. Building was now almost all above ground.

The Lost City people were farmers, but it is not known the exact methods used. Irrigation was probably used with brush dams from the Muddy River. They raised crops of corn, beans, squash, gourds, and cotton. Digging sticks were used instead of hoes.

The Pueblos added to their fare with wild seeds, mesquite and screw beans, the heart of the mescal plant growing in the high mountains, mountain pine-nuts, as well as meat from mountain sheep, deer, and rabbits. Hunting was done with bow and arrow.

Mining of rock-salt, turquoise, and paint materials was done by the Pueblos with rock-salt being the most important. Below St. Thomas and before Lake Mead covered the area with water were several hills of almost pure salt, thickly pitted with Indian workings.

The pottery of the Lost City shows designs that were more carefully planned and accurately drawn. Graceful water jars, small-mouthed canteens with lugs for the carrying strap, numerous bowls and cooking pots, a few pitchers, and other oddities have been found. Patterns were now on backgrounds of rich red and not just black and/or white. Some vessels left exposed on the neck the coils used in constructing the piece. This was the beginning of the "corrugated ware" which became popular later.

The people used the cotton they grew to weave into blankets, dresses for the women, and breech-cloths or kilts for the men. They loved beads of shell and turquoise pendants, fetishes or charms. The jewelry list also included small black and red beads made of stone and ornaments from shells imported from the California coast.

The games of the Lost City people included flat bone dice, dolls, and toy dishes.

They painted their faces and bodies on ceremonial occasions.

The Pueblos of Lost City buried their loved ones near where they lived. They used ruined or abandoned houses, ash-dumps adjacent to buildings, and sometimes dwellings still occupied were used as burial places. The body was placed on its side-personal belongings and sometimes even pets were placed along side it.

When the Lost City was at the height of its glory, parties of Pueblo people explored the country to the west and north, looking for new locations to settle. Then something happened. Instead of expanding, it began to shrink. The Lost City was abandoned. This could be the result of drought or enemy tribes-we do not and probably never will know which.