Additional Radiocarbon Dating of House Occupations: Settlement Intensification Along

1. Additional Radiocarbon Dating of House Occupations: Settlement Intensification Along the Middle Columbia River Elizabeth Witkowski, Steve Hackenberger Central Washington University Discussion The goal of this research is to develop a better understanding of pithouse settlement patterns during the Little Climatic Anomaly also known as the Medieval Warming (AD 800-1300) and the Little Ice Age (AD1300-1850). We are adding to the stratigraphic interpretations of house occupations and strengthening the radiocarbon chronology for winter villages in the region by expanding and dating sites 45KT17 and 45KT28. It was apparent after reviewing the initial and later reports on the 45KT28 and 45KT17 that several of the pithouses excavated had complex stratigraphy indicating multiple occupations. Analyzing the original field notes and photographs from both of these sites signifies intense occupation, abandonment, excavation and re-occupation over a period of time. By adding dates we are trying to better place Vantage area pithouse occupations within the Little Climatic Anomaly (AD 800-1300) or the Little Ice Age (AD 1300-1850). This study builds on a body of regional archaeological literature including work by: Warren (1968), Greengo (1982), Greengo (1986), Chatters (1995), Chatters and David Pokotylo (1996), Chatters (1997), and Prentiss et al. (2006). According to the consensus developing out of this work, as the Little Climatic Anomaly was replaced by the Little Ice Age, use of the upland resources declines and settlement intensifies along the Columbia River. If the majority of our submitted samples for Vantage area pithouse occupations also date to between AD 1300-1850, then these results support this consensus. Abstract McGuire and Hackenberger obtained five additional radiocarbon dates from two archaeological sites (45KT10 and 45KT27). Assays range between AD 1185 and 1650. Previous dates for house occupations along the Middle Columbia River, reported in the 1960’s, include age estimates for house occupations that are as early as AD 430. New radiocarbon results obtained by Witkowski provide additional age estimates and include dates for house occupations at 45KT17 and 45KT28. These new results help place a sequence of house occupations that date to periods before, during, and after the Little Climatic Anomaly (AD 800-1300). Results suggest that as the Little Climatic Anomaly was replaced by the Little Ice Age (AD 1350), use of the upland resources declines and settlement intensifies along the Columbia River. KT28 KT27 KT17 Blacked Bolded = Dates from McGuire’s report Normal Text= Dates from original excavation reports Red Bolded = Dates from Witkowski’s report KT10 Far Left: Arial Photo of site 45KT17 excavation trenches Top Center: Site 45KT17, stratigraphic profile photo of pithouse 20, pit F Far Right: Site 45KT28 midden concentration feature 40, in pithouse 11, sample dated Bottom Center: Site 45KT17 trench 13s pithouse 20, pits G and H. Dating/Results Two radiocarbon dates were reported from the only intact house at 45KT10 by McGuire. These two dates place house occupations to between Cal AD 1185 and 1650. McGuire also reported three radiocarbon dates pithouse 10 at 45KT27. These three dates place house occupation between circa AD 1255 and 1445. Sites 45KT10 and 45KT27 were excavated by Robert E. Greengo in the 1950’s. Site 45KT28 was originally excavated by Charles Nelson in 1960, then reported on by Sonja O. Solland in 1967, five pithouses were excavated. Two dates were obtained from two of the pithouses, 18 and 32. Pithouse 18 had a range of 935-1063 Cal BPwhile pithouse 32 had a range of 922-1292 Cal BP. In this research project two additional dates for 45KT28 were taken from pithouse 11, which had not been previously dated. Charcoal from a feature assays 489-541 Cal BP and bone from a occupation level assays 571-580 Cal BP. Site 45KT17 contains 27 pithouses. Five of these pithouses were excavated in the 1950’s; the site was then re-evaluated in 1960 by Brain G. Holmes where nine pithouses were excavated. Holmes dated the lowest occupation level in pithouse 22 which dates between 1314-1521 Cal BP. In this research project two additional pithouses from Holmes excavation will be dated. Three radiocarbon samples from pithouse 20 and three samples from pithouse 15 will be dated. The six samples have been sent to Beta Analytic, results from the samples are anticipated in May. Left: Site 45KT10, profile of north wall in in pit H, pithouse 1 Right: Site 45KT17, profile of trench 1s, pits G, H, I and J in pithouse 22. Environ. Little Ice Age Short Research Questions Can archaeological collections from 45KT10, 45KT27, 45KT28 and 45KT17 be used to date house occupations and develop a preliminary chronology of settlement patterns? Are house occupations at these three sites long and intensive or short and seasonal? Are house occupations the result of disruptions or improvements in resource availability associated with climate changes within or between the Little Anomaly and the Little Ice Age? Site 45KT28 pithouse 11 bone samples dated from occupation floor Acknowledgments This research would have not possible without the support of Central Washington University Farrell Foundation, Grant County Public Utilities District, and the Wanapum Community. Special thanks are due to Angela Neller (GCPUD Curator) for her involvement and contribution throughout the project. Site 45KT28 pithouse 11 charcoal dated from feature 40