The Francis Canyon site reflects economic and social changes taking place among the Navajo in this area during the 18th century.  In the previous century the Spanish introduced sheep, fruit, cattle, and horses into the area.  This along with the Navajo's adaption of certain Pueblo lifeways after the Pueblo Revolt (1680 - 1692) led to increased settlement size and new trade relations.  This site can be contrasted with modern Navajo communities which consist of clusters of hogans, widely dispersed with a trade system based on scattered trading posts and the motor vehicle.