Apache Cave, also known as Hood Station Cave, was excavated in 1950. It is a small rock shelter (Figure 1) with Mogollon and Apache sherds scattered about the surface and an associated pictograph panel (Figure 2). No architecture was evident.

EXCAVATION STRATEGY

Excavators sought to determine the relationship between the Mogollon and Apache pottery. In so doing, they sought insights into the relationship between the respective cultures represented by the sherds. A trench 12 meters long and four meters wide was divided into two-meter squares and dug to a depth of one meter, or to sterile soil, whichever came first.

Excavation Records

Brief excavation notes by square and level can be found in Department of Anthropology Archives Box SW 4 Folder 2, as can pottery tabulations.

Accession Files

Apache Cave is listed in accession file No. 2454, along with Tularosa Cave. The only artifact listed is number 261117, a restorable vessel (Figure 3).

Catalog Files

The only Apache Cave artifact cataloged prior to the Martin Project is the aforementioned restorable vessel. The Martin Project catalogued eight chipped stone tools, 149 faunal remains, six manos, one piece of pigment, and 161 sherds.

Photograph Files

The Department of Anthropology Photo Archives Volume 35N contains numerous photos of Apache Cave after excavation (Neg. Nos. 93219 - 93224), the pictograph panel (No. 93225), the east wall profile of Square #5 (Neg. No. 93226), and the restored Apache Jar (Neg. No. 93499).

PUBLICATION RECORD

Apache Cave has not been published; the only written documentation thereof is a short, unpublished document of uncertain date, though probably post-1955, by John Rinaldo (Rinaldo n.d.).

REFERENCES

Rinaldo, J.B. n.d. "Notes on Minor Excavations in the Reserve Area, West Central New Mexico." Unpublished manuscript on file in the Department of Anthropology, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.