Geoarchaeological Modeling of Late Paleoindian Site Location in the Northwestern Great Lakes Region

Legg, Robert J; Regis, Robert; Lambert, John M.; Liesch, Matthew; Travis, Charles

doi:10.1080/20555563.2017.1291244

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…With evidence of people visiting the MMD during the Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic, along with vast resources of CCS materials in this area, to what extent people from the broader region used this area as a source for their lithic materials remains unknown (Buckmaster and Paquette 1988; Carr 2008; Legg et al . 2017). In line with existing research that applies petrographical analysis to distinguish lithic raw materials (e.g., Pitblado et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The research builds on information gathered from material discovered at archaeological sites within the MMD, further expanding on a predictive archaeological model that identifies patterns associated with Late Paleoindian and Early Archaic settlement (Legg et al . 2017). In short, the research aims for the following: to determine the mineral content and textural relations within Mt Mesnard quartzite; to characterize the signature qualities of stone in both the MMD and Silver Mound Archaeological District (SMAD); and to establish a systematic and repeatable methodology for evaluating the source of lithic assemblages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Novel use of cathodoluminescence to identify differences in source rocks for Late Paleoindian quartzite tools

2020

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Heterogeneous quartzite artefact finds from North America's Late Paleoindian period occur in several areas throughout the Northern Great Lakes region. Standard petrographic analysis, back‐scatter scanning electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence are used to identify the properties of a regionally abundant, high‐quality orthoquartzite stone as compared with high‐quality Hixton silicified sandstone from the Silver Mound Archeological District in Jackson, Wisconsin. The results demonstrate the potential for reducing misidentification among material sources, and also exhibit the acutely discerning tendencies of pre‐contact peoples. Lithological interpretations of thin sections identify the different properties of the Hixton material. Conversely, Mesnard quartzite, while it functions adequately as a tool stone, is fundamentally compromised of a tightly packed microstructure. This microstructure produces a hard, less tractable material with erratic breakage, possibly explaining Mesnard quartzite's limited distribution prehistorically.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel use of cathodoluminescence to identify differences in source rocks for Late Paleoindian quartzite tools

2020

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“…As discussed in the Supplemental Information, Paleoindian sites were vetted by the author prior to modeling. Although modest, the sample size of 100 Paleoindian sites compares favorably to other GIS studies of contemporary assemblages (Legg et al, 2017;Pitblado et al, 2011). Background environmental information was compiled through extraction of data from 702 random points generated using ArcMap's Random Point Generator tool.…”

Section: Archaeological Components and Environmental Datasetmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…M. N. Lewis, 1953 To better determine if the environmental co-associations or variable land-use strategies listed in Table 2-1 can be verified empirically, this study explores land-use behavior of eastern U.S. Paleoindians through a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical modeling approach. Although traditionally used to inductively 'predict' site locations (Kvamme, 2006;Legg, Regis, Lambert, Liesch, & Travis, 2017;Pitblado, Cannon, & Fowler, 2011;Warren & Asch, 2003) and despite its numerous operational and theoretical issues (Harris, 2006;G. R. Lock & Harris, 2000, GIS modeling can validate or refine existing theories and propose new models of past land-use behavior (Duke & King, 2014;Loebel, 2012;Ridges, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Better Understanding of Paleoindian Native American Settlement in Southern Ohio: A Multi-Scalar Approach

Purtill¹

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Despite Ohio's prominent role in the historical trajectory of archaeological research into the Native American Paleoindian period (13.5 to 11.4 ka years ago), it has been over 30 years since the last attempt to model Paleoindian land-use behavior at a resolution that includes the southern half of the state. This dissertation revisited Paleoindian adaptation and land-use behavior in southern Ohio and by association the eastern United States. Research was accomplished through a study of Paleoindian occupation at two distinct resolutions in southern Ohio: (i) regional; and, (ii) local, or site-level. The regional level was explored through a GIS and statistical modeling approach of known Paleoindian site locations against randomly selected environmental information to evaluate current theories of Paleoindian land-use behavior. Significant patterns were further explored through comparison of similarly generated trends for later archaeological sites dated to the Early Archaic (~11-8.5 ka) and Late Archaic (~6-2.7 ka) periods. A binary logistical regression test was calculated with significant variables to assess the relative strength of individual variables in explaining Paleoindian site location. The second, site-level component of this dissertation involved archaeological, geomorphological, and geochronological investigation of the Sandy Springs archaeological site and surrounding landscape. Research focused on landform reconstruction with special emphasis on aeolian sand dune formation histories. Furthermore, proxy paleoenvironmental indicators are documented through investigation of sediments at Sandy Springs. Research focused on potential explanations for site function during the Paleoindian period and directly tested the statement that saline springs were a primary reason for Paleoindian occupation. Study results indicate that Paleoindians did not practice a uniform land-use strategy in the upper Ohio Valley but instead adapted strategies to fit local conditions. A potentially distinct Paleoindian land-use strategy is identified for the Interior Low Plateaus province of Ohio. This strategy may reflect strengthening post-11 ka interaction for groups occupying the Cumberland, Tennessee, and upper Ohio drainages. This strategy also may indicate a preference for prairie environments. The combined modeling of Paleoindian, Early Archaic, and Late Archaic site distributions provides a method to assess the impact of collector bias on archaeological interpretations. Study results suggest that collector bias is not restricted to Paleoindian assemblages alone. Cross-temporal approaches provide a means to mitigate the influence of such bias in future studies. Sandy Springs represents one of the largest Paleoindian sites in the upper Ohio River Valley and study results increased our understanding of its geomorphological and archaeological history. The previous claim of saline springs at Sandy Springs was tested through electrical conductivity and pH analysis. Results failed to support the idea that Sandy Springs possessed wa...

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A Critique of the Case for Paleoindian Caribou Hunting on the Submerged Alpena-Amberley Ridge

White

2021

PaleoAmerica

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Geoarchaeological Modeling of Late Paleoindian Site Location in the Northwestern Great Lakes Region

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Novel use of cathodoluminescence to identify differences in source rocks for Late Paleoindian quartzite tools

Novel use of cathodoluminescence to identify differences in source rocks for Late Paleoindian quartzite tools

Towards a Better Understanding of Paleoindian Native American Settlement in Southern Ohio: A Multi-Scalar Approach

A Critique of the Case for Paleoindian Caribou Hunting on the Submerged Alpena-Amberley Ridge

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