The Archaeology of Solvieux: An Upper Palaeolithic Open Air Site in France

The Archaeology of Solvieux: An Upper Palaeolithic Open Air Site in France. James Sackett. Los Angeles: UCLA Institute of Archaeology, 1999. 420 pp.     

The Elcor Burial Cave: An Example Of Public Archaeology From West Texas

Abstract

The discovery of a small sinkhole cave in West Texas led to the recovery of seven human skulls that represent a secondary burial of undetermined age. Radiocarbon dating of two skulls and anthropometric study of the entire sample suggest that the skulls belong to prehistoric indians physically similar to those of the Trans-Pecos about A.D. 900-1100. The study stresses the importance of following up leads from the general public and involving concerned citizens in various forms of public or rescue archaeology     

The Simonsen Site: Report For the Summer Of 1959

Abstract

Isolated surface finds of probable Archaic and Paleo-Indian sites have been made in western Iowa for the past decade. Recently 3 sites have been found in this area, along tributaries of the Missouri River, containing cultural material buried in sediments 13-17 feet below the modern surface. One of these sites, the Simonsen, exposed on a loop of the Little Sioux River, is described.

Bison bones were eroding below the top of an alluvial terrace. This profile is divided into 8 stratigraphic zones, Zones 1 and 2, were 9 feet thick and composed of sterile loam, sand and gravels. Zone 3, contained several disintegrated bison bones, fine ash, burned earth, a fire pit with charred log fragments and a hearth containing a large canid but no artifacts. Zone 4, 1-2 feet thick was composed of sterile interbedded gravels and sand. Zone 5, from a few inches to 2 feet thick contained small flecks of charcoal, and a fragment of a projectile point. Zone 6 was a very stilty sand interbedded with sand silts. Zone 7, 2-3 feet thick was the most profilic source of cultural material but considering the large area exposed, produced few artifacts. These were knives, flakes, 2 anvil stones and 3 points. Zone 8, a gravelly deposit of unknown thickness, underlay the cultural deposits.

A total of 7 bison skulls or partial skulls were collected in addition to abundant remains of other parts of the skeletons. These remains were tentatively assigned to the extinct specie, Bison occidentalis. Measurements of the metapoidals of these specimens agreed in massiveness with those from Scottsbluff and were smaller than specimen from the Brewster and Lipscomb sites which contained bison antiquus and Folsom artifacts.

The 1959 collection from the Simonsen site supports earlier observations of affiliations with the Logan Creek Site of Nebraska and argues for assignment within the late Paleo-Indian to early Archaic horizon.     

Salvage Archaeology at a Site Near Fort Thompson. South Dakota

Abstract

Construction of dams and reservoirs along the Missouri River has resulted in an accelerated program of archaeological field-work. Many sites have been surveyed, numerous others tested, and a lesser number extensively excavated. Surveys and test excavations will add to previously gathered data in terms of the geographical distribution of diagnostic artifacts, speculative routes of migration and cultural diffusion. The minutiae from the tested sites may offer reasons for the re-evaluation of established concepts or they may strengthen current archaeological interpretations.

The Farm School site, reported here, received limited tests. The artifact inventory suggests the presence of 2 ceramic components and contributes to information regarding the Fort Thompson and Campbell Creek foci in South Dakota.     

Mobridge Site Cemeteries: Controversy Concerning The Location Of The Over And Stirling Burials

Abstract

During the 1920's, W.H. Over and M.W. Stirling excavated skeletal material from cemeteries at the Mobridge site. Their records are not clear as to the exact location of burial recovery. Mobridge has at least three distinct burial areas (Features 1, 2, and 3), and there are craniometric and temporal differences among them. A comparison of crania from Features 1, 2, and 3 with the Over and Stirling samples gives some insight as to the location of their burials. Burials excavated by Over classify primarily with Feature 2, indicating this to be their point of origin. A few burials from Feature 1 also appear to be represented. Stirling's sample groups with areas 1 and 3. His sample possibly originated there, although it seems more likely that they came from a location north of the village which dates to the same time period as Features 1 and 3 and represents the same population.     

The Archaeology of Animal Bones

The Archaeology of Animal Bones. Terry O'Connor. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2000.206 pp.     

The Archaeology of Food Preference

Food preference is a socially constructed concept in which both consumers and producers define what is good to eat. Staple crops and daily meals are an important component of these definitions, as the regular use of particular foods reinforces norms of identity. Food preferences also affect agricultural systems because choices among cultivars are based on social needs in addition to economic variables such as yield and caloric value. Through textual and archaeological evidence, the trajectory of rice production is examined for Sri Lanka, the Brahmaputra Valley, the Tamil region, and Vijayanagara. In these regions and elsewhere in South Asia, shared ideologies of food preference resulted in a consensus mode of agricultural production: Irrigation works increased the tax base for political leaders and the donation base for temple economies, but they also benefited local inhabitants who would have been able to partake of a preferred food on a more regular basis.