THE ROLE OF ROCK ART • SEEING THE BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST • UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY SPRING 2011 americanamericana quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancyarchaeologyarchaeology Vol. 15 No. 1 NEW DISCOVERIES NEAR CAHOKIA $3.95 SPRING 2011 americana quarterly publication of The Archaeological Conservancyarchaeology Vol. 15 No. 1 COVER FEATURE 12 THE BEGINNINGS OF URBANISM? BY SUSAN CABA Was Cahokia a prehistoric metropolis? 24 The discovery of a large adjacent community has convinced some archaeologists that it was. 19 THE STORIES UNDER THE SEA BY AMY GREEN A maritime archaeology program is uncovering details of the history of St. Augustine, America’s oldest port city. 24 THE BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST BY NANCY ZIMMERMAN Come along on one of the Conservancy’s most popular tours. 32 REVEALING THE ROLE OF ROCK ART BY LINDA MARSA MER Researchers in California are trying to determine L PAL L E the purpose of these ancient images. A H C MI 7 38 THE STORY OF FORT ST. JOSEPH BY MICHAEL BAWAYA The investigation of a 17th-century French fort in southwest Michigan is uncovering the story of French colonialism in this region. 44 new acquisition A PIECE OF CHEROKEE HISTORY The Conservancy signs an option for a significant Cherokee town site. 46 new acquisition PRESERVING AN EARLY ARCHAIC CEMETERY The Sloan site offers a picture of life and death more than 10,000 years ago. 47 new acquisition THE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS TO OBTAIN NINTH WISCONSIN PRESERVE The Case Archaeological District contains several prehistoric sites. 48 new acquisition A GLIMPSE OF THE MIDDLE ARCHAIC PERIOD The Plum Creek site could reveal more information about this time. 49 new acquisition NOAA/DEREK SMITH SAVING A HUGE SHELL MIDDEN 2 LAY OF THE LAND The Conservancy obtains a pristine shell midden in Florida. 3 LETTERS 50 FiELD NOTES 52 REVIEWS 54 EXPEDITIONS 5 EVENTS 7 IN THE NEWS COVER: The Exchange Avenue figurine is one of the many • Nineteenth-Century Whaling Ship Discovered remarkable finds from the East St. Louis Mounds Center excavation. • Ancient Mesoamerican Climate Record Credit: Illinois State Archaeological Survey • Oldest Domesticated Dog Bone Found american archaeology 1 Lay of the Land RE POO Saving Mississippian Centers N RRE DA early 1,000 years ago, what When I first visited Cahokia some Mark Michel, President appears to be a Native American 40 years ago, about all that was left was Nmetropolis was developing on Monks Mound. The rest of the site was acquiring parts of the East St. Louis the banks of the Mississippi River near covered with modern houses and busi- Mounds as vacant lots and dilapidated present day St. Louis. We now know nesses, and a few of the mounds were buildings become available. While there were three distinct Mississippian visible in back yards. Illinois State Parks most of the mounds are gone, much centers that we now call St. Louis, East has done a Herculean job of acquiring archaeological material remains in situ St. Louis, and Cahokia (see “The Begin- and clearing property and creating a underground. A viable archaeological nings Of Urbanism?” page 12). Cahokia wonderful new park with an impres- research preserve is now emerging in was the largest with 20,000 people sive visitors’ center. This project contin- the center of East St. Louis. The Con- and over 120 mounds, including the ues with the help of the Conservancy servancy and its allies are committed massive Monks Mound. The other cen- and local supporters. Recently, we to saving the remains of these great ters were smaller, yet still substantial. were able to purchase Cahokia Mound centers, and at last we are making a lot These ancient urban centers eventually Number 1. of progress. returned to the earth, and modern cit- In the past few years, the Con- ies were built on top of them. servancy and local groups have been ARCHAEOLOGY & TRAVEL ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTHWEST & BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLARS DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL Ancient River, Chaco Canyon & the Civilizations of Ruins, & Rock Art Jemez Pueblo World Central Mexico Oman, the Jewel San Juan River September 11–17 The Aztecs & Their Predecessors of Arabia & Cedar Mesa, Utah Scholars: Dr. Gwinn Vivian & Chris Toya June 8–18 Paleolithic to Present May 22–28 Scholars: Dr. David Carballo November 6–18 Scholars: Dr. William Lipe Backcountry Archaeology & Jennifer Carballo Scholar: Dr. Jeffrey Rose & Sally Cole Exploring Slickhorn Canyon, Utah Yellow Clay October 2–8 & Yucca Brushes Scholars: Jonathan Till A Hopi Pottery Workshop & Dr. Ricky Lightfoot Archaeology Research August 14–20 Desert Dwellers program Scholar: Rachel Exploring the Archaeology of the Hohokam Excavate alongside professional Sahmie Nampeyo archaeologists at Crow Canyon’s November 6–12 current excavation site. Scholars: Dr. Paul Fish Sessions in June, August, & Dr. Suzanne Fish & September For more information on scholars & reservations: CROW CANYON 800.422.8975 • www.crowcanyon.org AA/Spring • CST 2059347-50 • The Crow Canyon Archaeological ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER Center’s programs and admission practices are open to applicants of Discover the Past, Share the Adventure any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation. CST 2059347-50 2 spring • 2011 Letters Beware Of Over Interpretation Paula Neely’s News article Editor’s Corner “Personalized Pipes Found At Jamestown” in the Winter Niles is the only city in Michigan that can 2010 issue should serve as a boast of having flown the American, English, cautionary tale to archaeolo- French, and Spanish flags. That distinction, at gists who over interpret their least in part, is due to Fort St. Joseph, a military findings. The pipe inscribed post cum mission cum trading post that was “CKARLES HOWARDS,” if occupied from 1691 to 1781. (See “The Story one excuses the typo, might Of Fort St. Joseph,” page 38.) indeed personalize a pipe The fort was abandoned, and eventually for Sir Charles Howard. it disappeared; however, it remained in the And “E SOVTHAM” might collective memory of Niles’ residents. In signify a gift for the Earl 1998, a group of them hired archaeologist of Southampton. But that the Michael Nassaney to find the fort—which he pipe marked “SR WALTER “ was destined for the famous Sir Walter did—and from that discovery a “neighborhood Raleigh seems presumptuous. There must have been any number archaeology” project, as he refers to it, ensued. of tobacco addicts named Sir Walter in 17th-century Great Britain. Last year Nassaney completed his seventh Robert R. Dykstra field season with the help of the people of Worcester, Massachusetts Niles, who, it’s only a slight exaggeration to say, have assumed the role of co-principal investigators. With Nassaney’s support, the The Amazing Cultural Landscapes City of Niles formed an Archaeology Advisory I loved your feature about the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Committee that has a voice in defining the Monument (“Reading The Land,” Fall 2010). The cultural landscapes goals of the project and how to achieve them. are more than amazing! That is what I love about your magazine: And even if they’re not on the committee, Niles there are always eye-candy photos of the American landscape, with residents don’t withhold their advice. Many of enlightening articles that instantly pique my curiosity! them have had their say when encountering Paul Dale Roberts Nassaney on the street. In addition to advice, Elk Grove, California the city and its people have offered him financial and logistical support. He, in turn, has welcomed his co- investigators. He hosts open houses, summer Sending Letters to camps, and media days, and he put together American Archaeology a traveling archaeology booth. The site has American Archaeology welcomes your letters. attracted nearly 10,000 visitors in the last four Write to us at 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, years. That’s nothing compared to what the likes of Mesa Verde and Tikal draw, but it’s not Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517, bad for a site with no cliff dwellings, pyramids, or send us e-mail at [email protected]. We reserve or any standing architecture. Niles ranked the the right to edit and publish letters in the site as one of its most important cultural assets. magazine’s Letters department as space permits. Now that’s being a good neighbor. Please include your name, address, and telephone number with all correspondence, including e-mail messages. american archaeology 3 Welcome to the ARchAeoloGIcAl conseRvANcy! 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902 Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517 • (505) 266-1540 he Archaeological Conservancy www.americanarchaeology.org is the only national nonprofit organization that identifies, Board of Directors acquires, and preserves the Gordon Wilson, New Mexico CHAIRMAN most significant archaeological Cecil F. Antone, Arizona • Carol Condie, New Mexico sites in the United States. Janet Creighton, Washington • Jerry Golden, Colorado t Since its beginning in 1980, W. James Judge, Colorado • Jay T. Last, California the Conservancy has preserved more Dorinda Oliver, New York • Rosamond Stanton, Montana Vincas Steponaitis, North Carolina than 405 sites across the nation, ranging in age from the earliest Conservancy Staff habitation sites in North America to Mark Michel, President • Tione Joseph, Business Manager a 19th-century frontier army post. Lorna Wolf, Membership Director • Sarah Tiberi, Special Projects Director We are building a national system of Shelley Smith, Membership Assistant • Melissa Montoya, Administrative Assistant archaeological preserves to ensure Patrick Leach, Administrative Assistant the survival of our irreplaceable Regional Offices and Directors cultural heritage. Jim Walker, Vice President, Southwestern Region (505) 266-1540 Why Save Archaeological Sites? 5301 Central Avenue NE, #902 • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 Tamara Stewart, Projects Coordinator • Steve Koczan, Field Representative The ancient people of North America left virtually no written records of their Paul Gardner, Vice President, Midwestern Region (614) 267-1100 cultures.