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University of Nevada, Reno Analysis of Paleoindian Site Structure and Toolstone Procurement at the Overlook Site

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University of Nevada, Reno Analysis of Paleoindian Site Structure and Toolstone Procurement at the Overlook Site University of Nevada, Reno Analysis of Paleoindian Site Structure and Toolstone Procurement at the Overlook Site (26CH3413), Churchill County, Nevada A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology By Sarah K. Rice Dr. Geoffrey M. Smith/Thesis Advisor May 2015 © Sarah K. Rice 2015 All Rights Reserved THE GRADUATE SCHOOL We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by MS. SARAH K. RICE Entitled Analysis of Paleoindian Site Structure and Toolstone Procurement at the Overlook Site (26CH3413), Churchill County, Nevada be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Dr. Geoffrey M. Smith, Advisor Dr. Christopher Morgan, Committee Member Dr. Scott A. Mensing, Graduate School Representative David W. Zeh, Ph.D., Dean, Graduate School May, 2015 i ABSTRACT Based on lithic studies, it appears that the early inhabitants of the Great Basin were mobile, far-ranging, and possessed a flexible lithic toolkit. They left behind traces of ephemeral, often redundant, occupations across the landscape. While investigators have studied Paleoindian mobility patterns at large scales across the Great Basin, fine- grained analyses are rarely applied to individual open-air sites. This study evaluates the hypothesis that the archaeological record at a single Paleoindian site located in Churchill County, western Nevada the Overlook Site (26CH3413) represents the remains of a residential base camp; a place from which local toolstone was procured to replace broken and expended tools fashioned on non-local material. To test this hypothesis several methods are employed including the analysis of: (1) site structure vis-à-vis spatial distribution of artifacts; (2) components of the lithic assemblage; and (3) geomorphic processes. These data suggest that cultural and geomorphic processes affect the horizontal distribution of artifacts, eliminating observable internal structure at the site. The assemblage at the site suggests that the manufacture of mid-stage bifaces on local material and discard of broken and expended tools was the dominant activity and that the site was repeatedly visited. To conclude, I consider the Overlook Site within the broader context of Paleoindian sites in the region. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this thesis has unquestionably been a collective effort. Thanks to my committee, Drs. Geoffrey M. Smith, Scott A. Mensing, and Christopher Morgan, for their guidance, advice, and assistance. Huge thanks go to my advisor, Dr. Geoffrey M. Smith, who shared with me his knowledge of all things Paleoindian and was always available to answer questions and provide much-needed encouragement along the way. Research on a military base is tricky. Another huge thanks to Fallon, NAS Archaeologist, Mrs. Robin Michel, for spending her time guiding me through the permitting and research design process, not to mention her handling of the scheduling along with other logistical issues. I cannot thank her enough; suffice it to say, the research described herein would not have happened without her. I also want to thank Mr. Jason Wright at the Carson City, Bureau of Land Management and Ms. Jessica Axsom at the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. Thanks to Dr. Ken Adams, John Bell, and countless others who have engaged me in conversations about archaeology, geology, etc., and helped with editing including Eugene Romanski, Tucker Orvald, Dr. Daron Duke, and Mike Lenzi. I consider my colleagues at Far Western to be some of the best archaeologists in the Great Basin, not to mention some of the nicest humans with whom you could ever work. It is the brain trust at Far Western that provided the inspiration for me to return to school to gain a higher-level degree. I want to first thank Dr. D. Craig Young for not only supporting me with discussions, work, and an office throughout school but coming out to the site to lend his expertise to aid in my understanding of the geological aspect of iii the research. GIS specialist Melissa Murphy helped make the numerous maps and figures in this thesis. We also had discussions of many aspects of the spatial record and she is brilliant: thanks Melissa. Thanks to Kathleen Montgomery as well, who helped digitize the stratigraphic profiles, and Nicole Birney, who answered endless questions about formatting. Special thanks to the McCabes (Two Trowels), Allen and Susan, who worked nearly every day at the site and supplied their years of expertise, endless jokes, and general shenanigans: love y’all. I am also grateful to William Bloomer, Steve Erven (Swervin’ Erven), Amanda Rankin, Dave Ingbar, Vickie Clay, and Mike Lenzi for taking their Spring Break 2014 and getting up way too early to come out to the site and help record endless flakes: you guys and gals are the best and I owe you! Lastly, I want to thank my sister and best friend Marie Rice and my other partner in crime Thomas Lee Gardner. You have both given me the gift of self-confidence over the years and this research, and the surety that I could do it, would never have manifested without your support. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 The Terminal Pleistocene-Early Holocene (TP-EH) .......................................................... 4 Climate and Environment................................................................................................ 6 Younger Dryas 12,900-11,600 cal BP. ........................................................................ 6 Early Holocene 11,600-8,200 cal BP. ......................................................................... 6 The Archaeological Record ............................................................................................. 8 Younger Dryas (12,900 to 11,600 cal BP). ............................................................... 10 Early Holocene (11,600-8,200 cal BP). ..................................................................... 12 Lithic Technological Organization and Mobility ............................................................. 16 Mobility Models ............................................................................................................ 16 Lithic Conveyance......................................................................................................... 19 Spatial Analysis and Occupation Span.......................................................................... 21 Geomorphic and Geological Analysis........................................................................... 22 Research Goals.................................................................................................................. 23 CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS .............................................................. 25 Southern Carson Desert Overview ................................................................................ 26 Geography. ................................................................................................................ 26 Biogeography and Climate. ....................................................................................... 26 Landforms and Geology. ........................................................................................... 28 The Paleoindian Record of the Carson Desert. .......................................................... 33 Materials: the Overlook Site (26CH3413) ........................................................................ 38 Site Discovery and Initial Findings ............................................................................... 38 Research Design Process, Permitting, and Access ........................................................ 41 Fieldwork: Mapping, Surface Collection, and Testing ................................................. 42 Methods: Lithic, Geologic, and Spatial Analysis ............................................................. 44 Lithic Analysis .............................................................................................................. 45 v Geological Analysis ...................................................................................................... 50 Spatial Analysis ............................................................................................................. 52 Restatement of Hypothesis ............................................................................................ 57 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS .................................................................................................. 58 The Overlook Site Lithic Assemblage .............................................................................. 58 Raw Materials ............................................................................................................... 58 Obsidian XRF and Hydration Analysis ......................................................................... 60 Debitage .......................................................................................................................
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