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

Abstract

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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