The Case of the Caldwell Mound: A Woodland Period Mound in the Central Scioto River Valley (original) (raw)
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2016
Chapter 1 : Introduction Mississippi period mound sites in the Southeast and the Arkansas River basin vary in the number, volume, and nature of mounds present (multi-lobed, buried structured, burial, platform), and areal extent. This variability indicates that not all mounds were constructed and utilized in the same way. Instead, it is important to recognize that smaller and larger mound sites were associated with different purposes and meaning (Blitz and Livingood 2004). There is a significant body of literature focused on the large mound centers in the Southeast (e.g., Cahokia, Moundville, Etowah, and Angel) and in the Arkansas River drainage system (e.g., Spiro, Harlan, and Norman). However, less research has been conducted on smaller mound sites in the Arkansas River valley (exceptions include the research conducted at such sites as Goforth-Saindon, Huntsville, and Reed) (Hammerstedt and Savage 2012; Kay and Sabo 2006; Kay, et al. 1989; Vogel 2005). Hammerstedt (2005a) critiqued the application of large mound center models to understand social organization and dynamics of smaller mound sites; therefore, this thesis will help broaden the research on smaller mound sites by interpreting the sociopolitical dynamics that revolved around Brackett (34CK-43), a one-mound site located in the Arkansas River valley. The Brackett Site (34CK-43): A Brief Overview Brackett is located on a high terrace between Baron Fork Creek and the Illinois River (Figures 1.1). A small portion of the site was excavated during the Depression-era by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The field crews excavated the platform mound, a Burial Area, eight structures, and other sections of the site. Since those excavations, Brackett has been discussed in the literature on the Arkansas River Basin, Mound Site Type Attributes Mound-Village Site Access Unrestricted access to residence and participation in rituals Community size Large Primary Residents Multiple families and households comprised of general community members, elites, and leaders Archaeological Correlates Primarily domestic debris, limited fineware pottery and exotic artifacts Structure Types Primarily daily-use, residential buildings Ceremonial Center Site Access Restricted access to residence and ritual participation Community size Small Primary Residents Small, circumscribed number of families, leaders, ritual specialists Archaeological Correlates Table 5.15: Count and description of artifacts found in association with Structures 5 and 6; artifact counts presented in parentheses. Catalog no. Artifact Type Count Description Ceramic 2 Plain/smoothed (2) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 2 Plain/smoothed (2) Ceramic 12 Decorated unclassified (3), Plain/smoothed (9) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 11 Plain/smoothed (11) Ceramic 1 Utility decorated (ridge pinched) (1) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 10 Fine decorated (incised) (1), Burnished undecorated (1), Plain/smoothed (8) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 2 Utility decorated (applique) (1), Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 2 Plain/smoothed (1) Ceramic 1 Plain/smoothed (1)
Reports of Investigation, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-16FFY-04). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the two central townships, Beaver and Jackson, and under-represented ecological communities within Newton County based on FY2014 and FY2015 surveys. A total of 932.27 acres (377.27 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, which includes 5.63 acres of resurveyed area, and 110 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 103 prehistoric artifacts and 4,063 historic artifacts from nine parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact era Middle Archaic, Middle-Late Archaic, Late Archaic, and Late Woodland components, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 24.53 acres and for Historic sites was one site per 10.02 acres.
Reports of Investigation, 2016
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-05). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the Kankakee River, Beaver Lake, and the northern half of the county. Approximately 856.1 acres (346.45 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, which includes 7.1 acres of resurveyed area, and 76 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 525 prehistoric artifacts and 1,761 historic artifacts from nine parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Early Archaic, Late Archaic, Late Archaic/Early Woodland, Late Woodland/Late Prehistoric, and Late Prehistoric components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 42.45 acres and for Historic sites was one site per 13.69 acres.
North American Archaeologist, 2014
In 2004-2005, salvage excavations at the Madisonville Village and Cemetery Site, a Late Fort Ancient settlement in southwestern Ohio, provided an opportunity to gather new information concerning post-A.D. 1550 occupation at the site. This article documents the use histories of excavated features and their resultant archaeobotanical remains. Results indicate that Madisonville features have incredibly complex formation histories which reflect continual reuse of a geographically restricted landform. Archaeobotanical analysis indicates a high reliance on maize by site inhabitants, although such reliance was not constant but instead increased threefold over time. Maize agriculture was supplemented by a diversity of additional cultigens (e.g., beans, erect knotweed, little barley, sunflower, and squash) and wild foods, especially nut resources, which remained an important dietary component throughout Madisonville's long occupation.
Reports of Investigation, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Benton County, Indiana for a FY2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-16FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the southern half of the county. A total of 928.36 acres (375.69 hectares) of agricultural land was surveyed and 115 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 102 prehistoric artifacts and 2161 historic artifacts from 13 parcels of land within Benton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact components dating to the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and possibly the Early Archaic, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 14.07 acres and for historic sites was one site per 13.65 acres.
Reports of Investigation, 2016
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Benton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the northern half of the county. Approximately 841.29 acres (340.46 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed and 85 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 81 prehistoric artifacts and 442 historic artifacts from twelve parcels of land within Benton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact components dating to the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and possibly the Early Archaic, in addition to 54 Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 20.03 acres and for historic sites was one site per 15.58 acres.