A Portable Coring Device for Rapid Site-Sampling

Abstract

A portable hydraulic coring device facilitates rapid sampling of archaeological sites and collection of undisturbed sediment monoliths for reference in research and teaching. The modestly priced device may be used in dense forests or on terrain unsuited to more expensive, truck-mounted rigs.     

An Archaeological and Ethnohistorical Investigation of Selected Areas in Kootenai National Forest,Northwestern Montana

Abstract

During a preliminary archaeological survey of selected areas in Kootenai National Forest, located in northwestern Montana, ten archaeological sites were recorded. The majority of these sites were located on the terraces of the Kootenai River. These sites vary from surface and buried occupations, to numerous buried firehearth sites, a rockpile site and a vision quest site. Data from this survey were utilized in conjunction with ethnohistorical data to determine significant aboriginal use of river bank areas in extreme northwestern Montana.     

Factors and “Toolkits”: Evaluating Multivariate Analyses in Archaeology

Abstract

This paper explores the potential contribution that the use of simulated data can make in evaluating applications of multivariate analytic technqiues. Production of simulated data and evaluation of analytic techniques is shown to requiredevelopment of archaeological theory. Several models of cultural formation processes, an undeveloped branch of archaeological theory, are presented which indicate that under certain conditions factor analysis may be a useful technique for isolating sets of artifacts used in the same activity area. One of these models is positively tested on simulated secondary refuse data. The results demonstrate the utility of coupling discussions of analytic techniques with explicit archaeological theory and testing one’s models on simulated data.     

Frequencies of Dental Anomalies and Their Potential Effect on Determining MNI Counts

Abstract

An examination of the distribution and morphology of supernumerary teeth in North American Bovidae and Cervidae indicates their expected frequency of occurrence in archaeological sites and potential effect on MNI counts.     

Bone Fragments and Bone Grease Manufacturing: A Review of their Archaeological Use and Potential

Abstract

The presence of small bone fragments in the archaeological record has been frequently used to infer the activities of bone grease and/or soup manufacturing. This article explores the possibility that the activity or activity-complexes responsible for the bone fragments might be manipulated to account for additional archaeological data. Emphasis is placed on building predictive models against which the data from three Northern Plains-Upper Midwest archaeological sites will be compared. Results indicate that such an approach provides more information about the cultural activities being conducted at a site than does the other approach.     

Using Ari Kara Osteological Data To Evaluate An Assumpti on oF Fur Trade Archaeology

Abstract

Osteological data from the Arikara-affiliated Mobridge site in South Dakota are used to test an hypothesis frequently expressed in archaeology that the relative quantity of recovered Euro-American goods can be used to infer a site? s relative age. Crania from the Mobridge site are examined for intra-site differences and thecompared with crania from four other sites. Our analysis suggests that the dating assumption may have validity for some archaeological sites, particularly those associated with the Arikara, and may even be valid on the intra-site level as demonstrated by our analysis of the Mobridge data     

Discriminant Analysis of Certain Middle Missouri Tradition Projectiles

Abstract

Projectiles from nine Middle Missouri tradition sites in two contiguous archaeological regions are analyzed. These sites date from the 12th to 17th centuries. Discriminant Analysis was used to cluster sites on the basis of similarities in projectile size and shape. The site groupings provided by this analysis crosscut geographic boundaries, suggesting that the variation is not due to local manufacturing practices; rather, the noted differences probably reflect pattern changing through time.     

A Preliminary Shoreline Survey of Lima Reservoir: Archaeology in the Centennial Valley of Southwestern Montana

Abstract

During the summer of 1974 an archaeological reconnaissance of the Centennial Valley, located in Southwestern Montana, resulted in the location of 35 archaeological sites. These sites include occupation sites, tipi rings, and three obsidian quarries—the first verified obsidian sources in Montana. Numerous artifacts were recovered from these sites. Projectile points of the Cody Complex, McKean Complex and numerous corner-notched varieties indicate a long period of occupation of the Centennial Valley. Preliminary analysis of the obsidian, recovered as artifacts or debitage from sites in the valley, indicates extensive use of the Centennial quarries as well as a heavy reliance on sources outside the valley.     

Four Woodland Sites in South Central Nebraska

Abstract

This paper reports the archaeological endeavors of aninterestedlayman at four Early Ceramic Period sites in Dawson, Frontier and Cosper Counties. Samples from the collections, copies of the site maps, photographs and field notes have been offered to the Nebraska State Historical Society.     

Systemic Change and Lithic Debris: The Nine Mile Creek Survey

Abstract

Data from 55 archaeological sites located during the course of a survey of a portion of Nine Mile Creek northeast of Lawrence, Kansas were analyzed as the focus of a seminar at the University of Kansas in 1969. The recognition of significant variation in lithic debris samples from the Nine Mile Creek sites resulted in the development of a seriational procedure and an explanatory model in terms of temporally changing subsistence patterns.     

An Analysis of Waste Flakes from Sites in the Upper Knife-Heart Region,North Dakota

Abstract

An analysis of lithic debitage from seven archaeological sites was undertaken with the assumption that itcould provide insights into the technological and behavioral background of the craftsman. The analysis describes lithic debitage in terms of six categories. The sites are grouped into two phases: the Heart River phase (about A.D. 1675-1780) and the Knife River phase (about A.D. 1780-1845). The use of Chi-Square and Difference of Means statistics indicates that the present categorization of archaeological units (phases), based on ceramic analysis, is substantiated by an analysis of lithic debitage. Differences between the phases are related to the increasing loss of native material culture after White contact.     

Cranial Variation and Microevolution in Arikara Skeletal Populations

Abstract

Crania from six archaeological sites in South Dakota are analyzed. Chronologically the sites fall into two groups, an early group and a late group, with A.D. 1750 as the approximate boundary between them. It is shown that the late group is morphologically diverse, while the early group is relatively homogeneous. The morphological pattern is related to the increasing intensity of evolutionary processes as the contact period progressed.     

Observations on Agogino and Parrish: “The Fowler-Parrish Site”

Abstract

Archaeological data derive their significance from the explicit or implicit theoretical propositions which underwrite hypotheses to be tested or specify the kinds of questions to be answered. From this perspective a recent article provokes thoughts about the scientific propriety of archaeological inquiries which stress the uniqueness of the phenomena they purport to examine.     

Scapula Skin-Dressing And Fiber-Processing Tools

Abstract

Information from ethnographic and archaeological literature supports the interpretation that some bison scapula tools were used for dressing skins. Sim!lar scapula artifacts may have been used for processing bark fiber used in making cordage or weaving. References to possible scapula processing tools from the Plains Northwest Coast, Great Lakes Riverine Area, and the Southeast are summarized. Specimens made of deer and elk scapulae probably represent functionally similar tool types. These artifacts may be more common than the available reports on Plains sites indicate, and archaeologists should exercise care when identifying scapula tools. We cannot assume that all scapula artifacts represent hoes or hoe fragments.     

Reworking the idea of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivation in Roman times: New data from ancient Campania

Abstract

Charcoal analysis was carried out in two archaeological sites on the north slope of the Somma-Vesuvius volcano, not far from Naples. Both sites were inhabited between the 2nd century AD and AD 472, when a great Vesuvius eruption (so called Pollena eruption) buried them. In both sites, Castanea sativa wood was largely used for architectural structures as well as firewood. Ten ¹⁴C dates, spanning between the 1st and the 5th century AD, testify to a continuative use of this wood throughout the life of the sites. The comparison between archaeobotanical and pollen data from other sites in southern Italy suggests that chestnut woods were close to the sites studied and had a restricted spreading, possibly in a refugium area on Vesuvius' foothills. The match between archaeological charcoals and pollen data suggests that the Romans did not spread chestnut cultivation in the entire Campania region and that chestnut probably became a common timber in Campania starting from the 5th–6th century AD.     

Some Aspects Of Diet And Butchering Techniques Among Prehistoric Indians In South Dakota

Abstract

Faunal remains from ten South Dakota archaeological sites, ranging temporally from ca. 600 B.C. - A.D. 1600, are identified and analyzed by the method of White (1952). This analysis shows what species were used, and in what numbers, in sites of the three major temporal divisions; Woodland, Middle Missouri and Coalescent. Bison are the preferred animals in all time periods. Group related butchering techniques are discussed.     

Non-Bison Remains from the Vore Bison Jump,Crook County,Wyoming

Abstract

The Vore. Bison Jump is a multi-component Late-Preh1stonc B1son kill site in the Black Hills of Crook County, Wyoming. Examination of the non Bison revealed a large number of carnivores, mainly wolves. Analysis of these wolf remains showed a need for more careful identification of canid remains from archaeological sites in light of incipient domestication of wolves at this site.     

Neutron Activationianalysis of Obsidian:

Abstract

By a process of neutron activation, obsidian samples from an archaeological site may be traced to their quarry sources. The potential of this type of information remains largely unexplored and this paper is one small example of its application to Northwestern Plains Archaeology.     

Dating And Environmental Reconstruction From Prehistoric Mud-Dauber Nests:Some Possibilities

Abstract

The preserved contents in nests of mud-dauberwasps recovered from archaeological investigations may provide data to the archaeologist on dating and local environmental conditions at the time of site occupation. In addition, a unique, butneglected, opportunity is afforded the entomologist to study remains not otherwise available.     

Pollen from archaeological layers and cultural landscape reconstruction: Case studies from the Bradano valley (Basilicata,southern Italy)

Abstract

The article aims at presenting some aspects of environmental reconstruction through pollen analysis from archaeological contexts. The anthropogenic pollen transport into archaeological sites is regarded as an interesting tool to improve knowledge on flora and vegetation in the area of influence of sites. The zoophilous plants can be found more easily than in the regional airborne pollen rain where anemophilous pollen is generally overrepresented. Moreover, pollen from archaeological contexts is mainly a result of the cultural landscape shaped by human activities. Two case studies from the Bradano Valley (Basilicata, southern Italy), rich in archaeological sites dating altogether from the Middle Bronze Age to the Medieval age, are reported. Difesa San Biagio and its surroundings is one of the biggest settlements of the area, settled in early times by Enotrians. Altojanni is an extended area mainly frequented in Hellenistic, Roman late Imperial and Medieval times. A very open landscape, and clear signs of plant exploitation and cultivation, breeding and settlements were present in the two sites. Though samples are disturbed and preservation problems are sometimes observed, the main characters of pollen spectra are recurrent. High percentages of Poaceae and Cichorioideae, together with coprophilous fungal spores, strongly suggest a long tradition of pastoral activities. These case study examples suggest that human activities would have produced a fairly xeric environment.