JOY D. FERRYCENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITYDECEMBER 8TH, 2014
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OUTLINE1. INTRODUCTION
2. PROBLEM, PURPOSE &
SIGNIFICANCE
3. STUDY AREA
4. ASSEMBLAGES
5. METHODS & TECHNIQUES
6. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
7. CONCLUSIONS
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
9. NEXT STEPS2
RELEVANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Understanding of the past
Future policy
Land use practices
Protection of cultural
resources
Protection of natural
resources
Cultural narrative
People
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INTRODUCTION
Locations of the sites being compared in this research
45PI406: Tipsoo Lake
45PI408: Sunrise Ridge Borrow Pit
45PI429: Forgotten Creek
45PI438: Buck Lake
Documented pre-contact Sites and environmental zones in Mount Rainier National Park. From Burtchard 2007:6.
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As of 2008, nearly 100 archaeological sites documented within Mount Rainier National Park (Burtchard 2007:3-4)
45PI429
45PI406
45PI408
45PI438
PROBLEM
• Low amount of data available in comparison to the large amount of recorded pre-contact archaeological sites in the southern Washington Cascades (Vaughn 2010; Lewarch and Benson 1991)
• Little information on how people used upland landscapes: Whether they relied on a single “mountain lithic tool kit,” OR if their material culture was more strongly patterned by micro-environmental variation
• Data gap: Need more chronological, functional, and technological data, to form a better understanding of how people made and used stone tools on the slopes of Mount Rainier.
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RESEARCH QUESTION
What were the selective conditions under which stone tools were made and used on Mount Rainier?
To answer the research question, I apply the following hypotheses:
• H0 = Random association between assemblages for compared dimensions.
• No selective conditions identified
• H1 = Non-random association between assemblages for compared dimensions.
• Selective conditions potentially identified
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Adaptations to the Grain of
the Environment
Cost & Performance
Variables
Diversity & Variation in
Technological & Functional
Traits
Extended Phenotype
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Purpose
1. Apply an evolutionary archaeology model
2. Generate data for the Forgotten Creek lithic assemblage
3. Identify sorting in the archaeological record
4. Identify the selective conditions that may have caused the sorting
Significance• Comparable methods and
techniques – reproducible.
• Effectively identify the sorting of technological and functional attributes in the 45PI429, 45PI438, 45PI408, and 45PI406 assemblages
• Using a method and technique that can identify subtle differences in stone tool manufacture and use
Chert biface fragment with lustrous only and lustrous/non-lustrous flake scars, from the Forgotten Creek assemblage
Snowfields & Glaciers
Alpine Tundra
Subalpine
Northwestern Maritime Forest
River Systems & Associated Floodplains
STUDY AREAMount Rainier is an active stratovolcano
Climate variability and fire events
throughout the Holocene
Tatoosh pluton formation
Geologic cross-section through Mount Rainier. From the National Park Service 2007
THE FORGOTTEN CREEK SITE (45PI429)
• 4300 ft. elevation
• Southwestern slope of Mount Rainier
• Upper Northwestern maritime forest
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Photo from Dr. Greg Burtchard
THE SUNRISE RIDGE BORROW PIT SITE (45PI408)• 4884 ft. elevation
• Eastern slope of Mount Rainier
• Upper Northwestern maritime forest
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Photo from Dr. Patrick McCutcheon
THE BUCK LAKE SITE (45PI438)
• 5400 ft. elevation
• Northeastern side of Mount Rainier
• Upper Northwestern maritime forest/subalpine
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Photo from Dr. Greg Burtchard
THE TIPSOOLAKE SITE (45PI406)
• 5440 ft. elevation
• Eastern slope of Mount Rainier
• Subalpine zone
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Photo from Dr. Greg Burtchard
ASSEMBLAGESAll four were screened with 1/8” mesh, and three had low post-depositional alteration (except Tipsoo Lake)
• Tipsoo Lake: n = 867
• Sunrise Ridge: n = 4,452
• Forgotten Creek: n = 1,104
• Buck Lake: n = 2,354
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Columbia Corner Notched A, from the Forgotten Creek assemblage (Carter 2010)
Chert scraper with unifacial wear, from the Forgotten Creek assemblage
STRATIGRAPHY
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Buck Lake (45PI438)
Forgotten Creek (45PI429)
Cultural
Component
Radiocarbon
Years Before
1950
Site
45PI429 45PI438 45PI408
Post-MSH Y
(layers X
through P)
290 ± 200
to 2460 ± 250
X X X
MSH Y
tephra set
(lower bed,
layer MSH
Yn, and
upper beds)
2960 ± 250
to 3510 ± 250
X - X
Pre-MSH Y
(layers B
through R)
3900 ± 250
to 8750 ± 280
X X -
Radiocarbon dates are from Mullineaux 1974:24.
METHODS• Evolutionary
archaeology model
• Cost-performance model (McCutcheon 1997)
• Defined functional and technological variables
• Technological organization (Sullivan and Rozen 1985)
• Stabilizing, directional, and disruptive selection (Endler 1986)
• Compared selection with environmental data and land use models.
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What were the selective conditions under which stone
tools were made and used on Mount Rainier?
Cost-performance variables, adapted from Vaughn 2010
METHODS CONTINUED:MODES OF SELECTION
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Distribution of phenotypes. From Kimball:1994.
TECHNIQUESStatistical Analysis:
All statistical analyses were done at a 95% CI (α = 0.05)
• Bootstrapping using the Resamplerprogram, to identify sufficiently representative sample sizes
• χ2 analysis, to identify statistically significant non-random associations
• Log-likelihood, for samples unsuitable for chi-squared testing
• Analysis of residuals
Data Generation:
• Compared preservation, turbation, & field methods for each site
• Obsidian XRF
• Paradigmatic classification
• Graphed frequency distributions
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Chert biface fragment from the Forgotten Creek assemblage
RESULTS & DISCUSSION
1. DIVERSITY OF FILLED CLASSES
2. VARIATION BETWEEN
ASSEMBLAGES
3. DIRECTIONAL SELECTION
4. STABILIZING SELECTION
5. DISRUPTIVE SELECTION
6. TECHNOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
7. RAW MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION
8. VARIATION THROUGH TIME18
DIVERSITY OF FILLED FLAKE CLASSES
Assemblage Component Reduction Class Technological Codes
Functional
Codes
Tipsoo Lake
(45PI406)
Whole site Terminal 141113222 1222
Bifacial 1411111222 -
141114222 -
141116222 -
Sunrise
Ridge
Borrow Pit
(45PI408)
MSH Y Terminal 141112222 1212
141113200 1222
141113202 1232
141113212 -
141113220 -
141113222 -
1411111222 -
1411111232 -
1411111200 -
1411111202 -
Bifacial 141114222 -
141116220 -
141116222 -
141117222 -
Post-MSH Y Terminal 141113222 1212
142113222 1222
1411111222 -
Bifacial 141116222 -
Forgotten
Creek
(45PI429)
MSH Y Intermediate 141112211 -
141112221 -
141212121 -
141212211 -
141212221 -
141213211 -
141213221 -
Bifacial 141212222 -
Post-MSH Y Terminal 141212222 -
Total number of filled technological & functional classes:
• 45PI406
• Technological: 24
• Functional:7
• 45PI438
• Technological: 42
• 45PI429
• Technological: 227
• Functional:11
• 45PI408
• Technological: 432
• Functional:30
ANALYSIS OF RESIDUALS
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Assemblage
45PI406 45PI408 45PI429 45PI438Dimension Residuals >
1.96Residuals < -1.96
Residuals > 1.96
Residuals < -1.96
Residuals > 1.96
Residuals < -1.96
Residuals > 1.96
Residuals < -1.96
Thermal Alteration
Lustrous only Lustrous/ Non-lustrous High temperature alteration
Lustrous only High temperature alteration
Lustrous/ Non-lustrous
Lustrous/ Non-lustrous
Lustrous only High temperature alteration
_ _
Use Wear Present Absent Present Absent Absent Present_ _
Completeness Flake fragment Whole flake Broken Flake Debris
Broken flake Flake fragment
Whole flake Debris
Whole flake Broken Flake
Flake fragment Debris
Whole flake Debris
Flake fragment
Reduction Class Intermediate
Bifacial ResharpeningBifacial Thinning/Reduction
Terminal Terminal Bifacial ResharpeningBifacial Thinning/Reduction
Initial Intermediate
Intermediate Initial Terminal Bifacial Resharpening
Initial Intermediate
Terminal Bifacial Resharpening
Complexity of dorsal surface
Complex Simple_ _ _ _
Simple Complex
Whole-assemblage comparisons
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VARIATION BETWEEN ASSEMBLAGES
• Dimensions that had non-random associations:
1. Completeness
2. Platform Type
3. Reduction Class
4. Thermal Alteration
5. Use Wear
6. Raw Material Type
• The frequency with which each attribute is expressed is different in all of the assemblages, except for raw material type in the MSH Y and Post-MSH Y components.
Assemblage
Component 45PI406 45PI408 45PI429 45PI438
Whole Site Flake fragments; faceted platforms; Lustrous only flake scars; Use wear
Lustrous only flake scars
Broken flakes; Simple platforms; Intermediate reduction; Lustrous/non-lustrous flake scars
Whole flakes; Debris
Post-MSH Y Flake fragments; Bifacial reduction; Lustrous only flake scars; Use wear
Broken flakes; Intermediate reduction; Lustrous/non-lustrous flake scars
Debris
MSH Y Flake fragments; Pressure flakes; Bifacial reduction; Lustrous only flake scars; Use wear
Whole flakes, broken flakes, and debris; Simple platforms; Intermediate reduction; Lustrous/non-lustrous flake scars
_
Pre-MSH Y_
Faceted platforms; Obsidian
Debris; Igneous
Attributes that are present in the highest proportions
MODES OF SELECTIONAssemblages
45PI408 45PI429 45PI438
Mode of Selection For Against For Against For AgainstDirectional Igneous rock
Use wearCortical platformsLustrous only flake scars
Simple platforms Intermediate reduction Thermal alterationLustrous only flake scarsLustrous/non-lustrous flake scars
Obsidian Flake fragments
Simple platforms Igneous rock
Stabilizing Presence of thermal alteration
Terminal reduction _ _ _ _
Disruptive
_ _
Initial and bifacial reduction
_ _ _
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MODE OF SELECTION: DIRECTIONAL
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0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Pre-MSH Y MSH Y Post-MSH Y
Heat Treatment in 45PI429
None
HeatTreated
Change around 3900 radiocarbon years cal B.P. increased the importance of heat treatment in tool manufacture at the 45PI429 site
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
MSH Y Post-MSH Y
Raw Material Type in 45PI408
Chert
Obsidian
Igneous
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Pre-MSH Y MSH Y Post-MSH Y
Thermal Alteration in 45PI429
Lustrous/Non
Lustrous Only
HighTemperature
MODE OF SELECTION: STABILIZING
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0%
20%
40%
45PI429 45PI408
Post-MSH Y
0%
20%
40%
45PI429 45PI408
MSH YInitial
Intermediate
Terminal
BifacialResharpening
BifacialThinning/Reduction
Reduction class through time.
• 45PI408: Stabilizing selection favoring terminal flakes • Stabilizing selection against initial and bifacial
reduction flakes in both assemblages• Either
• Initial reduction was occurring elsewhere• There is a raw material characteristic that accounts
for the lack of cortex • A combination of both
MODE OF SELECTION: DISRUPTIVE
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0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
45PI429 MSH Y
Thermal alteration across reduction classes.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%45PI429 Post-MSH Y
Lustrous/Non
Lustrous Only
HighTemperature
The only disruptive selection identified was for thermal alteration across reduction classes in the Forgotten Creek assemblage. This is selection for both extremes of the reduction sequence, initial and bifacial.
TECHNOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Assemblage
ComponentForgotten Creek
(45PI429)Buck Lake (45PI438)
Sunrise Ridge Borrow Pit (45PI408)
Tipsoo Lake (45PI406)
Whole site II IB2 II II
Post-MSH Y II IB2 II _
MSH Y II _ II _
Pre-MSH Y IB1 IB2 _ _
26Based on Sullivan and Rozen 1985
RAW MATERIAL
Stabilizing selection favoring the use of chert in all assemblages
• No difference between assemblages in the post-MSH Y, MSH Y, and pre-MSH Y components at a 95% CI
• Indicates that chert has the lowest procurement cost; chert toolstonesources are possibly closest in proximity
• Tatoosh pluton chert is known to occur throughout the park
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0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
45PI408 45PI438 45PI406 45PI429
All Assemblages
Chert
Obsidian
Igneous
Geologic cross-section through Mount Rainier.
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RAW MATERIAL• Obsidian in the 45PI429
assemblage sourced to Obsidian Cliffs in Oregon.
• Directional selection against the use of obsidian in the 45PI429 assemblage
• Highest proportion of obsidian present in the 45PI406 assemblage
• Variations in the distribution of obsidian between assemblages and through time suggests variation in travel routes and/or a relationship with heat treatment
Assemblage
Source Tipsoo lake
(45PI406)
Sunrise Ridge
(45PI408)
Brown's Bench/
Bickleton Ridge
2 1
Elk Pass 3 _
Indian Creek _ 1
Glass Buttes I _ 1
Newberry Volcano 14 6
Obsidian Cliffs 8 17
Quartz Mountain _ 14
Unknown _ 3
Whitewater Ridge 6 _
Total 33 43
Obsidian distribution from Vaughn 2010
The obsidian flake that was sent for XRF, from the Forgotten Creek assemblage
SYNCHRONIC CONCLUSIONS
To answer the research question:
• H1 = Non-random association between assemblages for compared dimensions
• Significant variation between assemblages: local microenvironments, created by variations in moisture, elevation, and dominant vegetation, could have had a far greater impact on the pre-contact activities taking place at the sites than anticipated
In the context of regional land use models:
• Mixed activity sites: Both tool manufacture and use
• Largely supports Burtchard’s prehistoric regional land use model- of mixed and limited activity sites, resulting from patterns of semi-sedentary settlement and subsistence
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Summarizing variation between assemblages and through time.
Assemblages
Environmental Zone
Subalpine meadow
Upper Northwestern maritime forest
Upper Northwestern maritime forest
Subalpine meadow
Vegetation Zone
Subalpine Fir Pacific Silver Fir Mountain Hemlock
Mountain Hemlock
Climate Component
Buck Lake (45PI438)
Forgotten Creek (45PI429)
Sunrise Ridge Borrow Pit (45PI408)
Tipsoo Lake (45PI406)
Neoglacial Cooling Period (150-3600 B.P.)
Warming Period (150-2000 B.P.)
125-3000 radiocarbon years cal B.P.
Intensive core reduction; Dominated by flake fragments; Decrease in intermediate reduction; No obsidian
Increase in tool use; Increase in tool manufacture; Disruptive selection for heat treatment in early and late reduction stages
Substantial tool use; Slight increase in tool manufacture; Directional selection for heat treatment late in late reduction stages
Tool manufacture; Most use wear; Lowest diversity in types of wear; Highest proportion of obsidian
Glacial Advance (2500-3000 B.P.)
Fire Events (3400-3600 B.P.)
3000-3900 radiocarbon years cal B.P.
_
Change to tool manufacture only; Dramatic increase in heat treatment
Greatest technological and functional diversity
Hypsithermal(Xerothermic) Interval
4500-8750<radiocarbon years cal B.P.
Intensive core reduction; Highest proportion of igneous; No obsidian
Core reduction and tool manufacture; 15% obsidian
_
CONCLUSIONS
MSH Yn tephra layer (3510 B.P.)
DIACHRONIC CONCLUSIONS• The variation observed was due to sorting in the archaeological record
caused by the grain of the environment
• Increased diversity and variation of the functional and technological organization of the 45PI408 and 45PI429 assemblages followed the deposition of the MSH Yn tephra layer around 3510 radiocarbon years calB.P.
• Fire events, and the shift to a mesic climate, were also selective conditions influencing the variation in the functional and technological organization of the assemblages
Chert biface fragment Andesite biface fragment Chert debitage
LIMITATIONS
• Insufficient sample sizes from both the Forgotten Creek assemblage and the Buck Lake assemblage to make statistical comparisons between components
• Small sample size for the pre-MSH Y component of the Forgotten Creek site (47 pieces)
• Lack of data on the portion of the Buck Lake site assemblage that was excavated from the MSH Y tephra set
• Need to know more about local toolstone sources
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RECOMMENDATIONSFour pronged approach:
1. Protect: List the Forgotten Creek site on NRHP
2. Excavate: Increase sample size of the Forgotten Creek assemblage through further excavation
3. Analyze: Increase sample size of the Buck Lake assemblage by analyzing artifacts from the MSH Y component
4. Survey: Pedestrian survey near residential or task specific sites, to locate toolstone sources.
Protect
Survey
Analyze
Excavate
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NEXT STEPS• Submit article to Archaeology in Washington
• Determination of Eligibility for the Forgotten Creek site
• Present research (conferences)
• Analysis of Buck Lake artifacts (Dr. Patrick McCutcheon and Dave Davis, Master’s candidate)
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• Dr. Patrick McCutcheon
• Dr. Greg Burtchard
• Dr. Steve Hackenberger
• Dr. John Bowen
• Anne Parfitt
• Penny Anderson
• Steve Dampf
• Kevin Vaughn
• Friends & Family
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QUESTIONS?