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This article integrates geological, biological, ethnographic, and archaeological lines of evidence to reconstruct fishing patterns between approximately 4100 and 500 BC in the northern Gulf of California. In addition to shell collecting along the coast, several species of fish were captured, mainly endemic sciaenids of the upper gulf. Our study focuses on the northern Sonoran coast where recent archaeological studies have discovered scores of otoliths (fish ear bones) in archaeological contexts. We report the species composition (chano, corvina, totoaba) and relative size of the prehistoric catch and discuss the modern biology of these species known to inhabit this area. Our evidence suggests that this area offered an important resource for Archaic hunters and gatherers who were drawn here to exploit fish at certain times of the year. Following sea level stabilization around 6,000 years ago, particular geomorphic settings provided opportunities to easily harvest large quantities of fish by spearing, netting, or hand catching them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Five recent radiocarbon assays on wood charcoal within archaeological sites from the Puerto Peñasco area, Sonora. Mexico indicate use of the marine resources of the northern Gulf of California area during the Middle Archaic through the Late Archaic periods, ca. 3800 B.C.-A J). WO. The archaeological shell middens of the region are generally thought of as remains associated with Ceramic period Hohokam marine shell collecting forays with there being little consideration given to the likelihood of an Archaic period component being present. The importance of these age estimates is that they are derived from carbonized botanical remains rather than shell. Because of considerable variability in the carbon reservoir effect, age estimates derived from marine shell from the northern Gulf of California have limited reliability. The seasonality of collection is also considered through a preliminary study of stable oxygen isotope ratios in two shell samples. The results suggests that these shellfish were collected in the late fall, winter, and perhaps very early spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations and archival research on the archaeology of the Puerto Peñasco area at the northern end of the Gulf of California, Sonora, Mexico, have provided additional insights into the prehistory of the region. The northern Gulf of California has long been recognized as the source of raw marine shell used in the production of shell ornaments by the Hohokam of southern and central Arizona. The most obvious archaeological manifestations in the area are the shell midden sites that occur along the margins of the ocean and estuaries of the region. Based on a small sample of diagnostic flaked stone and ceramic artifacts, a Late Archaic period through Late Ceramic period (Hohokam) use of the area is evident. A small number of independently derived radiocarbon dates appear to support this conclusion. We summarize archaeological, chronometric, environmental, and geomorphic data from the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Analytical errors in clinical laboratory testing are unavoidable. Recent reports have suggested the idea of “physiological profiling” which uses several results from a given patient to identify clinically unlikely results. The objective of this study was to establish rules-based criteria for identifying physiologically unlikely TSH and free T4 (fT4) results. Methods: For a 30-month period, all samples with fT4 concentrations >2 ng/dl and TSH concentrations >0.1 μIU/ml were investigated. Results: Among 7918 plasma samples for which both TSH and fT4 concentrations were measured, 18 (0.23%) had fT4 and TSH exceeding the investigated limits. Of these, two were due to heterophile antibody interference (with the TSH assay), one was proven to be due to random error, four could be explained by the patients'' conditions, three were from infants <1 week of age, and the remaining eight were unresolved, primarily due to insufficient sample, discarded samples, and inability to obtain patient histories. Conclusions: This study defined a rules-based alert system for clinically unlikely combinations of TSH and fT4 results. This pilot study demonstrates that this system is capable of detecting at least two different types of laboratory errors that would have otherwise gone undetected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One of the important trade and ornamental items for the prehistoric Hohokam of southern Arizona was marine shell, which was obtained from the shores along the Sea of Cortez. A reconnaissance survey near the modern town of Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico resulted in the discovery of dozens of prehistoric shell middens that are probably the result of forays by the Hohokam, Patayan, and other groups to gather shell for transport back to their homeland. These middens are described and discussed in relation to shell exploitation, subsistence, and their relationship to the Hohokam shell trade between A.C. 800 and 1200. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decade a number of obsidian studies have been conducted on Classic-period Hohokam artifactsfrom sites in southern Arizona. The geological and cultural settings of this region make it an ideal area for the study of raw material acquisition and distribution networks. The technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry has been used as an inexpensive means to characterize sources and artifacts. This paper discusses the results of obsidian studies conducted on nine sites or site complexes within the Hohokam area. The dominant pattern of raw material procurement appears to be one of proximity, where the most commonly found obsidian on the site was usually obtained from the closest source. Procurement strategies indicate that obsidian procurement may have been secondary or parallel to the acquisition of other primary resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructs regional procurement and distribution patterns through the social and economic contexts of obsidian procurement by the Hohokam Indians of North America. Assessment of patterns in obsidian source diversity and reduction stage data; Analysis of obsidian acquisition and distribution; Importance of modeling individual, nonlocal commodities.

The recent discovery of a complete Clovis point in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Basin adds to the small sample of reported Paleoindian points from central Arizona. This paper describes the location, context, and attributes of the point. The newly discovered point is then compared to other Clovis points from Arizona to shed light on behavioral patterns among these early hunter-gatherers. Findings discussed in this paper suggest clustering of Clovis points in specific areas of Arizona and similar point attributes regardless of discovery location. Patterning in Clovis point re-sharpening and raw material procurement are identified as a promising topics for illuminating Clovis mobility strategies in Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]