Was Tobacco Smoked in the Pueblo Region in Pre-Spanish Times?

Abstract

In discussing recently the modern cultivation of tobacco among the Pueblo Indians, Leslie A. White remarked that “archaeologists have no evidence of the use of tobacco among the Pueblos in prehistoric times.” He further added that it seems that “tobacco was not used among the Pueblos prior to the advent of the white man.” These statements are counter to the rather firmly established opinion that tobacco must have been smoked in the pipes which are found in archaeological sites in the Southwest. As rumblings of consternation and dissent have been provoked by White's remarks, it seems in order to review briefly some of the data relative to this question.Less surprise might have been occasioned had White worded his remark to read that no direct or tangible evidence of tobacco has come from archaeological sites in the area.