Abstract
Investigations of the relationships between culture and biology among prehistoric populations of the southwestern United States can enhance our reconstruction of social interactions. The present study analyses the permanent dentition of Basketmaker II and Mimbres individuals from multiple sites using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, and compares them with a regional sample. Discrete dental trait analysis provides a useful means for assessing the degree of genetic relatedness between populations when large comparative samples are available. Both in situ cultural change and population replacement have been posited as the dominant mechanism acting on Basketmaker and early Puebloan groups. We examine the relationship of these populations to probable UtoβAztecan speakers in light of the UtoβAztecan farmer migration hypothesis. The Basketmaker II complex, traditionally recognised as a distinct cultural unit, exhibits considerable population heterogeneity. Western Basketmakers appear to share biological ties with UtoβAztecan speakers, while Eastern Basketmakers do not, as predicted by the model. The relationship of the Mimbres to probable UtoβAztecan speakers is less clear because the Mimbres show only weak affinities to northern Mexican populations. Copyright Β© 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.