Dogs, Deer, or Guanacos: Zoomorphic Figurines from Pueblo Grande, Central Arizona

Abstract

Excavations at the large Hohokam site of Pueblo Grande, one of the most important of the Salt River valley villages of central Arizona, recovered an unusual group of zoomorphic ceramic figurines dated to the Preclassic, between A.D. 950/1000 and 1100/1150. The figures, quadrupeds with raised tails and ears, were found in a Sacaton phase pithouse and are thought to be part of a ceremonial offering or act. This study describes the figures and suggests they represent dogs rather than deer or the South American camelid, the guanaco. The Pueblo Grande figures are compared with similar figures from other parts of the Hohokam world.