Lithic Analysis: An In-depth Look at Surface Collections ... · Lithic Analysis: An In-depth Look...
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Lithic Analysis: An In-depth Look at Surface
Collections from the Gehring Site
By: Daniel Fletcher Blodgett
The Gehring Site
Hypothesis
• Chronology – Late Archaic through Mississippian – Main during Middle Woodland
• Function
– Habitation Site
• Spatial Distribution
– Middle Woodland throughout – Late Woodland and Mississippian confined to central
area
Methods
• Surface Collection
• Analysis and Identification
– Chert type
– Thermal alteration
– Debitage or Tool
– Diagnostics
• Database Entry
• Spatial Analysis
Total Sample Analyzed
Debitage 95%
Tool 5%
Analysis Totals
Debitage
Tool
Total Sample Analyzed
Burlington, 78%
Unidentified, 12%
Cobden/Dongola, 2% Mill Creek, 2%
Grimes Hill, 2%
Chert Type Totals Burlington Unidentified Cobden/Dongola Mill Creek Grimes Hill Kaolin Avon Salem Ste. Genevieve Chouteau Paysen Kornthal Winterset Blair Fern Glen Glacial Till Flint Ridge Harvester Attica Indiana Hornstone Grassy Knob Hematite Knife River Dover Bailey
Debitage Results
Biface Reduction 35%
Core Reduction 12%
Shatter 41%
Unidentified 12%
Debitage Totals
Biface Reduction
Core Reduction
Shatter
Unidentified
Tool Results
Blade 37%
Core 1% Drill
1%
Flake Tool 28%
Graver 0%
Hoe Flake 23%
Knife 1%
Projectile Point 9%
Scraper 0%
Total Tools
Blade
Core
Drill
Flake Tool
Graver
Hoe Flake
Knife
Projectile Point
Scraper
Diagnostics
Spatial Analysis
Exotic Chert Types Mill Creek Chert Blades Flake Tools Hoe Flakes
Conclusion
• Site use from Middle Archaic through Mississippian, predominately during the Middle Woodland and Mississippian periods
• Habitation site during Middle Woodland and Mississippian
• Middle Woodland and Mississippian Occupations spread throughout
Acknowledgments
• I would like to thank Dr. Julie Holt and Dr. Gregory Vogel for their guidance and support. I would also like to thank Larry Kinsella and Brad Koldehoff for their help in my analysis process. Finally I would like to thank Katie Leslie and James Sanders for their much appreciated assistance in my research.