Isotopic Evidence Linking the Southern Jornada Mogollon to Turquoise Mines in the Orogrande Mining District, Jarilla Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico

A groundbreaking isotopic analysis reveals that turquoise artifacts from the Southern Jornada Mogollon region, particularly those linked to Doña Ana and El Paso-phase sites near New Mexico's Jarilla Mountains, overwhelmingly originate from the Orogrande mining district. This finding confirms that precontact miners sourced turquoise exclusively from this region, the only significant source in the area. Modern geological samples from Orogrande exhibit isotope signatures that align with prehistoric materials, solidifying their provenance. Additionally, evidence suggests that turquoise from this region circulated beyond the Jornada Mogollon territory, notably reaching the Mimbres region. The study underscores the importance of future research to trace turquoise distribution and exchange across broader Mogollon regions, including the Casas Grandes area.

Thibodeau, A. M., Kurota, A., Kale, A., & Maxwell, T. D. (2025). Isotopic Evidence Linking the Southern Jornada Mogollon to Turquoise Mines in the Orogrande Mining District, Jarilla Mountains, Otero County, New Mexico. Kiva, 91(4), 482–501. https://doi.org/10.1080/00231940.2025.2594251