Sanders Site Archaeological Research: Stratigraphic Analysis § Sierra Scott-Russell Project Mentor(s): Steve Hackenberger, PhD
The Sanders Site (45KT315). excavated in the early 1970s under the direction of Dr. William Smith. Three areas of the site were excavated over two summers (1502, 1504, and 1503). Four graduate students and 10 Farrell Scholarship students have studied different portions of the site collection. Most recently, Emily LaPlante investigated the heaviest occupations in area 1504 and dated these occupations to between 3000 and 4000 years. Cobb, Burks, Biggs, Mitchell, and Garoutte have investigated the lowest components of areas of both 1502 and 1504, dated between 5000 and 10,000 years ago. Mitchell and Garoutte also sought to date bone samples that might fill in the gap in occupation evidence for the period between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago. Questions remain about the possible occupation gap between 5000 and 8000 years ago. The main focus for my Farrell Scholarship project is the third area 1503. My research question is, "Are low frequencies of bone and artifacts in area 1503 (5–8KYA levels/strata (Levels 20 to 30, Strata 4, 5 and 6) due to erosion, rapid deposition, and/or less occupation and discard?" My study of area 1503 includes particle size analysis of sediment samples, and radiocarbon dating samples of sediment samples and bone. I also compare counts of stone tools making debris for each level and strata. My preliminary finding is that the gap in dates and lower artifact frequency between
5,000 and 8,000 years ago is most likely explained by a period of erosion. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords : Sediments, Stratigraphy, Archaeology, Farrell Scholarship SOURCE Form ID: 66
97
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