Archaeological Investigations at 45CL1 Cathlapotle (1991-1996) , Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Clark County, Washington: a Preliminary Report (original) (raw)

Archaeological investigations at site 45CL1, Clark County, Washington, demonstrate that the locality is a very large (c 1.5ha), deeply stratified (2-4m) town site with an occupation spanning at least 1000 years (c. AD 1000 to 1840). Six large, complex depressions have been mapped. Test excavations show that these depressions represent the semisubterranean portions of residential structures, probably large plankhouses of the type common on the Lower Columbia River and the Northwest Coast in aboriginal times. The depressions may represent as many as 11 such dwellings. A seventh depression is deeply buried beneath midden deposits. The cultural deposits contain very high densities of artifacts, ecofacts (including both faunal and floral remains), debris and features. The site is near the Columbia River on a very active flood plain, resulting in site stratigraphy produced by a combination of active cultural and alluvial depositional processes. Site 45CL1, given its location and size, is the best candidate to be the site of Cathlapotle, a Middle Chinookan town visited by Lewis and Clark in 1806, as well as by other early Europeans in the area. The site is extraordinarily well preserved, having undergone only minor alterations since its abandonment, probably in the third or fourth decade of the 19th century AD. ii iii Successful archaeological projects are invariably the result of the cooperation of a wide variety of people. We wish to express our gratitude to the following: Jim Carty, who grew up on the land that holds Cathlapotle, told us where it was, and provided us with considerable information and assistance. Anan Raymond, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Regional Archaeologist instigated the project, actively encourages it and finds financial support. The project very much is a reflection of his vision and his hard work. He also edited previous reports with a sharp pencil. We look forward to the time he needs a good editor. Virginia Parks (USFWS) initiated the public education program in 1994, and has coordinated it, often on her own time, ever since. She has spread knowledge of the Chinookan heritage and Cathlapotle's archaeology far in this region. She also did the final editing and production of this report. We have been unfailingly helped by the staff of the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge at Ridgefield, WA. Bruce Wiseman, former Refuge Manager, provided advice and assistance with working on the refuge and with logistics. The staff was continually helpful, interested and sometimes amused by us. Members of the Chinook Tribal Council, including Tim Tarabocchia, Don Mechals, Clifford Snyder, Gary Johnson, Tony Johnson, and Jeanne Shaffer, visited the site and PSU's archaeology labs several times and provided advice and enthusiasm. In August, 1995, over 80 tribal members visited the site and brought their excitement with them. One, Ed Nielsen, even wrote a wonderful poem about us and the Cathlapotle town. The people of Ridgefield, Washington have displayed keen and excited interest in the project, and never failed to be friendly, even when we filled the market with sweaty, grimy people in search of ice cream and pop on hot afternoons. They have packed our Washington Archaeology Week sessions on the project. Judith Ramaley, then President of Portland State University, exhibited a strong and consistent interest In our work, visiting the site in July of 1994 and 1995. Marvin Kaiser, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at PSU, has provided essential financial Support to keep the project going and invested his thought and energy into fund raising. Richard Dewey, of PSU's Summer School and Extended Studies acted as liaison between the field school and summer session. Miles Turner, then of Extended Studies, also materially assisted us by his ability to manage our patchwork of funding and support during the summers. No one knows exactly how he does it. Marc Feldsmen, Anthropology Department Chair, has unfailingly supported the project through thick and thin. Connie Cash, Anthropology Department Office Manager, has handled the logistical and administrative complexities that arise from keeping many people in the field for two months. She also has sometimes served as councilor to the distressed and is one of our most indispensable personnel. The many members of the Friends of the Wapato Valley have assisted the project with their donations, their interest and excitement. Ultimately, however, we are in the deepest debt to the many people who have worked at the site itself.