4700.7 A669 no. 18 c.1

VARIATION IN SOUTHERN PLAINS VILLAGE SUBSISTENCE AND MATERIAL CULTURE PATTERNS IN COTTON COUNTY, : ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE BURTON #1 SITE (34CT39)

Robert J. Stokes

with Faunal Analysis at Burton #1 Kari Schmidt

OKLAHOMACONSERVATION COMMISSION ARCHAEOLOGICALRESEARCHREPORT No. 18 March 1999 2800 North Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4210 VARIATION IN SOUTHERN PLAINS VILLAGE SUBSISTENCE AND MATERIAL CULTURE PATTERNS IN COTTON COUNTY, OKLAHOMA: ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE BURTON #1 SITE (34CT39)

Robert 1. Stokes

with Faunal Analysis at Burton #1 Kari Schmidt

OKLAHOMA CONSERVATIONCOMMISSION ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH REPORT No. 18 March 1999 2800 North Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4210 11 PREFACE

This report is another in a continuing effort to break the "back log" of unfinished archeological reports related to U.S.D.A., Natural Resources Conservation Service (former Soil Conservation Service) assisted Federal undertakings. This report, authored by Robert Stokes, concerns an emergency dike repair project in southern Cotton County, on property at the time controlled by the Burton family. The actual field investigations were conducted in 1987. It is only now that the information is being presented as more than just field records and "letter reports" on file. As will be seen in the report, the site poses the potential of being a significant prehistoric site dating from the Late Prehistoric Plains Village period. That the site is more than just a cursory or temporary camp site is documented not only by the number of subsurface features, but by the presence of multiple burials as well. Additional investigation of the site following the first round of field work has not been necessary as NRCS was able to avoid directly impacting those areas deemed to be significant. Part of this avoidance plan was excavation of dike repair dirt off site, rather than in the area initially proposed. This move basically negated the necessity for undertaking additional investigations other than what is documented in this report. The site has not been revisited since the 1987 investigations were completed. Consequently, it is unknown whether addition destructive erosional processes have affected the site, or whether the dike repair work has performed the intended effort. Another concern is that the fate of the site is currently under the control of another landowner. Whether this individual is aware of the site's significance is uncertain, and unlikely. Information presented by the author supports the initial conclusion of the principal field investigator that the Burton #1 site merits National Register of Historic Places consideration and protection.

Charles S. Wallis, Jr. Staff Archeologist and Principal Field Investigator

iii ABSTRACT

This report documents the results of archaeological investigations conducted by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) at the Burton # 1 and #2 sites (34CT39 and 34CT40), Cotton County, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission became involved in this project at the request of Dr. Robert Brooks, State Archaeologist, and the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service (now Natural Resources Conservation Service). The NRCS was the lead federal agency in a cost-sharing project for emergency dike repair work along a portion of Deep Red Creek in 1987 following damage by several flooding events. As a result of these events, a prehistoric burial was uncovered along an overflow channel and was reported to the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey by a local amateur collector. Charles Wallis, OCC archaeologist, and Robert Brooks investigated the site area in June 1987 and determined that several human burials had been exposed, in addition to noting the presence of other prehistoric features and deposits. This report outlines the methodology employed for data recovery on the disturbed portions of the site and the results of subsequent analyses of artifacts, features and human remains. The conclusions offered in this report highlight Late Prehistoric subsistence patterns and material culture at Burton #1, in addition to providing data on lithic resource procurement and use patterns. Although data recovery operations at these two sites were small in scale and much of the material came from surface and disturbed contexts, it is believed that important information pertaining to the prehistory of Oklahoma has been recovered, analyzed and presented in this report. The economic patterns discussed are tentative due to the nature of the recovery project, but nonetheless point to many potential and interesting future research topics concerning prehistoric groups living in the western Red River drainage area.

IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank Charles Wallis, Oklahoma Conservation Commission archaeologist, for providing access to the artifact collection from the Burton # I and #2 sites (34CT39 and 34CT40) and for supporting this research analysis and report. Charles' comments, criticisms, recollections and field notes pertaining to the fieldwork (Wallis 1987) and to this report were of tremendous help. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission's support in general of archaeological research in Oklahoma is always appreciated. The staff at the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey in Norman have been supportive of this research and are thanked for sharing their knowledge of Oklahoma prehistory with me. I wish to thank Kari Schimdt, currently located at the University of , for her work on the faunal analysis section, Richard Drass for his assistance with the ceramic and botanical analysis, and Marjy Duncan, Scott Brosowske and Valli Powell for their assistance in identifying various lithic raw material types. Chris Cook provided his expertise on figure formatting and report production. Charles Wallis, Robert Brooks, Richard Drass, Susan Vehik and Marjy Duncan read and commented on earlier drafts of this report. However, I remain solely responsible for any errors and inaccuracies that may be contained in this report. Finally, everyone involved with this project wishes to thank the previous landowners, Mrs. Burton and her son Kenneth, for permitting this research on their property.

v VI TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE I11

ABSTRACT ~y

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .... ._. .... v

LIST OF T ABLES__._ __ __._. _ _.. _ _.. _._ __ _ _..... _ _ . _._ix

LIST OF FIGURES . ._._.. _._ .. _ _.. _ _ .. __.. _.__.__ __ _.. _ Xl

INTRODUCTION _. __. .. .._... _ _.__ _.. _.. 1 Project History and Background_. . _ .__. ._._. _ . 2 Research Focus for Burton # 1 .. . .._. ._ _.. _ .. ._._3 Research Questions and Goals __ ... .. _.. _. . 4

ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND . ._ __._._ __.._.. _. . _.. .__5

CULTURE HISTORY FOR THE SOUTHERN PLAINS OF OKLAHOMA AND NORTH-CENTRAL ..._------8 Paleoindian . . ._. .. . 8 Archaic ...... 9

Plains Woodland ------_.------.------"------10 Late Prehistoric: Plains Village .._. .._.. . ._. .. . 10 North-central Texas Plains Village Occupation . ._. . . 12

Protohistoric ------.------.-.------13 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICALRESEARCH IN COTTON COUNTY .. . .__. ._. 13 Some Generalizations on Site Type and Site Location in Cotton County .._. .. __... 15

DATA RECOVERYMETHODOLOGY AT SITES 34CT39 AND34CT40 .. .. _. .__. . 15 Site Setting . ._. .... __.__. .. 16

Artifact Collection at the Burton # I Site ------.------16

The Burton #2 Site ------19 Site Stratigraphy at Burton # 1 . ._. .__. . 19 Shovel Probe # 1_._. ._. . ._.. .. 19 Shovel Probe #2_._._ .. . _ __. .19 Shovel Probe #3__ _.. __. ._.__.__...... __.. 20 Shovel Probe #4 _. .._.__. . ._. .._._.. . 20 Soil Augur Tests #1,#2, and #3 . ...._...... _._... .. 20 Observations on Site Stratigraphy .. . ..__._.. .__._. 20

LiTHIC ANALYSIS --_._------_ ..._ .._ ..-.-_._------_ ..--_._------_._------_._- 22 Description Summary of Lithic Raw Material Types __. .22 Projectile Points __ _. _. .__._ . . .__. ._._.._._.. . 24 Lithic Tools _._... . .__..__. ._...... _.. .26 Lithic Debitage: Local vs. Non-local Raw Material and Debitage . . .__..28 Cores_. __._.__.. ._... .. _.__...... 28 Lithic Flakes .. .__ _ ._.. __. 29 Raw Material Distributions .._. . . ..__...... 30 Fire-Cracked Rock,Unmodified and Modified Gravel ..__...._. . .._._.. .3 I Summation of Lithic Analysis ...... _... .. __...... __. .. .3 I

CERAMICS .. _.__. .. _.. ._. .. .. _ .. 32

DAUB ANDBURNED CLAY .__. _.. .__ .. ._. .. . 34

GROUNDSTONE 36

MUSSEL SHELL_. __._.. __. ._.__._._.... _.__.. ..__...... 40

vii BOTANICALREMAINS 42 CI4 Date Results 42 Plant Remains 42

HISTORICARTIFACTS 44 --.- ..------.------BURJALSAND SCATTERED HUMAN REMAINSATBURTON #1 46 Burial No. 1 46 Burial No. 2 46 Isolated Occurrences of Human Bone 49

FAUNALANALYSIS AT BURTON #1 By KARl SCHMIDT 49 Introduction 49 Methods of Analysis 5 I Analytic Units and Fauna Type Distributions 5 I Surface Context. 52 Feature and Overflow Channel Slope Context 52

Mixed Context ------.------.------.------52 Taphonomic Butchery Analysis 53 Leporid and Small Animal Body Part Patterns 53

Bone Artifacts .------.------.------.------._---.-.------_. 54 Discussion of Faunal Analysis 54

CONCLUSIONS 56 A Broader Context for the Cultural Patterns found at Burton #1 57

REFERENCES CITED ------.-.------._------61

VIII LIST OF TABLES

Table I. Projectile Points and Preforms Recovered from Burton #1 and Burton #2 . . .24 Table 2. Lithic Tool Frequencies at Burton #1 (34CT39) .28 Table 3. Lithic Cores and Raw Material Distribution at Burton #1 (34CT39) .29 Table 4. Distribution of Lithic Reduction Debris at Burton #1 (34CT39) .29 Table 5. Raw Material Distribution by Reduction Stage at Burton #1 (34CT39L .. )0 Table 6. Fire Cracked Rock and Modified and Unmodified Gravel by Raw Material Type at Burton # I (34CT39) 31 Table 7. Ceramic Analysis for Burton #1 (34CT39) )2 Table 8. Daub and Burned Clay Analysis for Burton #1 (34CT39) )5 Table 9. Groundstone Analysis for Burton #1 (34CT39L ..... )7 Table 10. Mussel Shell Analysis for Burton #1 (34CT39) 41 Table 11. Botanical Analysis for Burton #1 (34CT39L 43 Table 12. Descriptive Data for Historic Period (Modem) Artifacts found at Burton #1 45 Table 13. Summary of Faunal Totals for Burton #1 (34CT39) 49 Table 14. Detailed Summary of Archaeofaunal Remains from Burton # 1 (34CT39) by MNI, NISP, and Percentage Present 50 Table 15. Faunal Distributions by Collection Provenience and Analytic Size Class at Burton #1 52

ix x LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. General Project Area Map, Southwestern Oklahoma .1 Figure 2. Plains Village Culture Areas for Southwest Oklahoma and North-central Texas 6 Figure 3. Major Drainages of Western Oklahoma and North-central Texas .

Figure 4. Two Views of the Overflow Channel and Breached Dike ------17 Figure 5. Site Map for Burton #1 (34CT39L 18 Figure 6. Soil Stratigraphy and Cross Section (Shovel Probes # 1, #2, and #4 L .20 Figure 7. Soil Stratigraphy, Shovel Probe #3 .21 Figure 8. Projectile Points Recovered from Burton #1 and Burton #2 .25

Figure 9. Selected Lithic Tools Recovered from Burton #1 ------2 Figure 10. Ceramics and Impressed Daub Recovered from Burton #1 .3 Figure 11. Lightly Used and Expedient Examples of Groundstone Recovered from Burton #I .38 Figure 12. Heavily Used Manos Recovered from Burton #1 .3 Figure 13. Basin-Shaped Metate Fragments Recovered from Burton #2 40 Figure 14. Historic Artifacts Found at Burton Figure 15. Site Map Indicating Locations of Burials and Isolated Human Remains 47

Figure 16. Burials # 1 and #2 ------.-.------.------

Figure 17. Bone Tools and Artifacts Recovered from Burton # 1------Figure 18. Ceramic Temper Distribution Across Far Southwestern Oklahoma, Plains Village Only 58 Figure A-I. Topographical Map of Project

xi xii INTRODUCTION

This report presents the results of a brief or for preparing a larger-scale data recovery field archaeological recovery project conducted at two project. Although certain kinds of features and data prehistoric sites in Cotton County, Oklahoma were not recovered (e.g., habitation structures and (34CT39 and 34CT40), during the summer of 1987 hearths), a nice cross-section of artifact types and (Figure I). The project was both limited and prehistoric features were sampled which provide an expedient due to the conditions under which the important data set for an understudied region of sites were found and reported to the Oklahoma Oklahoma. Although the data are not wholly Archaeological Survey in Norman and because of adequate for detailed analytic research on questions emergency dike repair work that needed to be centered on prehistoric socioeconomic patterns, the completed as expeditiously as possible by the tentative observations made in this report will be of landowner. In effect, little time was available for value as general knowledge and for structuring either the formulation of a detailed research design future research designs for this area.

'CADDO--', ______,- --, WASHITA------, ! BECKHAM , 1 - North , I ••."""-' •••••••• , IGRADY -----I , 'I ,I I' , t J______! N KIOWA , ~ ~ , ~ I , j

Salt I 1,, ~Hollis ,IJACKSON 1 ___ I I TILLMAN I I Frederick '\ ~ )

Burton #1 Site { Burton #2 Site

~0=~~1~0~~2~P;mi !II • Ian o 20 40

Figure 1 General Project Area Map, Southwestern Oklahoma PROJECT HISTORY AND exposed several meters to the south of the first one. The site was believed to contain at least three BACKGROUND burials based on the presence of additional In June of 1987, the Oklahoma Archaeological scattered human remains on the surface and in the Survey (OAS) in Norman was contacted by a local overflow channel. Initial field exam ination of these amateur collector about a human burial exposed as scattered remains gave indications that perhaps a result of recent flooding events along Deep Red more than one individual was represented, possibly Creek, Cotton County. These events partially bringing the total of known and/or suspected destroyed an existing dike along the creek and burials to three or four. The amateur collector also retrenched an earlier overflow channel through an mentioned that at least one other burial had been agricultural field behind the dike. Dr. Robert exposed during an earlier flooding event. Because Brooks, Oklahoma State Archaeologist, arranged to it was beginning to appear that even more visit the site in order to inspect the human remains unmarked human graves might be encountered and and to determine the extent and nature of the because of the presence of a wide variety of artifact disturbance to the archaeological resources. Few types found on the surface, additional days were sites had been recorded along this stretch of Deep scheduled for surface collecting activities and Red Creek prior to the reporting of this site to the inspection of the cut banks and construction zone. OAS. Because the proposed construction project In fact, OCC personnel continued to periodically was to repair an existing dike, Dr. Brooks monitor the project and make controlled surface requested that Mr. Charles Wallis, Oklahoma collections until the beginning of September 1987. During the course of site survey and surface Conservation Commission Archaeolozist'" , accompany him to the project area. The presence of collections, five non-burial features were noted. unmarked human graves was confirmed, in These features were areas of dark fill exposed addition to an extensive surface scatter of primarily along the sides of the overflow channel prehistoric artifacts. The area was subsequently away from the creek (Wallis 1987). It is not known recorded as a prehistoric site in the files of OAS what percentages of the features were lost to and is listed as "34CT39, the Burton #1 site." flooding events and heavy machinery disturbance. Dr. Brooks and Mr. Wallis determined that The features were flagged for excavation as part of repair work was being partially funded through an the overall testing program that was to include emergency flood repair and maintenance program several one-by-one meter test units and shovel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency probes. Unfortunately, vandals struck the site area (FEMA). The necessity of Federal involvement sometime between the 14th and 20th of August, was confirmed by Mr. Don Vandersypen, head of 1987 and proceeded to dig up four of the features watershed planning operations, Soil Conservation marked by pin flags. According to Mr. Wallis, Service, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Because the project important data were still salvageable because the was being funded through a Federal emergency vandals had left the feature fill in unscreened piles repair program, preparation of an environmental next to each pit. However, important data assessment report was not considered necessary. pertaining to feature size and shape were lost as a The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Tulsa result of this unfortunate incident. All fill from had already authorized this approach at the time the Features 3 and 4, and a sample from Feature 1, emergency program was approved for funding. were bagged for waterscreening; however, no fill However, because the presence of unmarked was collected from Feature 2, while Feature 5 was human graves was confirmed within the project not investigated. area, the SCS, OCC archaeologist and State Because of continued poor weather and time Archaeologist agreed that a limited cultural constraints, only four shovel probes were dug and resource salvage project was warranted and that no test units were excavated. Although plans had removal of the human remains was required per been made to conduct a more detailed investigation of the Burton # 1 site, conflicts with other onzoina state law before construction could resume in this '" '" area. However, because of scheduling conflicts and projects and the sheer difficulty of digging and poor weather conditions, the site was not revisited screening the compact, dry clayey soils in the area by OAS and OCC personnel for several weeks prevented such from actually taking place. Instead, after initial contact was made with SCS personnel. only four shovel tests were placed in the site area, During the second visit to the site area, Dr. with three of these being within the location Brooks excavated the burial noted on his first trip initially slated for borrow. By this time it had been to the site in addition to salvaging a second burial determined that the repair work could be conducted in a manner that would involve little earth

2 disturbance to the actual site area. Consequently, of land and the status of sites 34CT39 and 34CT40 blade work was restricted to the immediate dike is currently unknown. location and previously disturbed areas. Also, what remained of the existing dike could be repaired using fill dirt recovered off site in a meander loop RESEARCH Focus FOR BURTON #1 to the north. Although this involved hauling fill dirt from a somewhat greater distance, additional As indicated in the above discussion, the damage to the archaeological site was prevented. available data limit what can be said about these To insure that the selected borrow location did not two sites. Research questions involving intra-site contain important archaeological data, on-site patterning cannot be evaluated with the data on inspection was conducted by Charles Wallis hand nor can we address many issues regarding throughout this phase of repair work. Only a few, social structure and interaction. However, widely scattered large ungulant bones believed to investigations geared toward general issues of be from either a mature bison or cow were subsistence and economy are feasible. In particular, observed in the area selected for borrow. Although we can investigate subsistence and lithic resource the bones were viewed as being deposited naturally use patterns of the Southern Plains Villagers who in a floodplain setting at some time during the past, resided at Burton # I by virtue of having access to one of the elements displays a breakage pattern that artifact collections from both surface and feature could only be due to human butchering. contexts. It is generally assumed that Plains Shovel probe testing at the site proved to be Villagers relied heavily on agriculture for useful for contributing important information subsistence (e.g., Bell 1984a; Brooks I989b; Drass regarding the extent of the site's boundary and 1997) which was augmented by seasonal bison stratigraphy. Although fine-grained analysis of hunts (Vehik 1994), but because of the limited artifact spatial distribution patterns is not possible, research conducted in southwestern Oklahoma, this testing strategy, coupled with extensive surface these patterns remain to be documented for this collection, does provide for a reasonable estimation area. of site size. In other words, we are able to make Initially, Burton #1 was thought to contain two some inferences and generalizations regarding site cultural components: a Plains Village occupation size, intensity of site occupation and resource underlain by a Plains Woodland component utilization patterns, but not intra-site patterning (Wallis 1987). The Woodland component was with reference to habitation areas, work areas and viewed as having been buried beneath flood feature distributions. We acknowledge these deposits, evidence for which was exposed in the limitations to the data set and the constraints they sides of the overflow channel. This initial place on our interpretations and conclusions. determination was based on the presence of certain At this point a brief statement needs to be artifact types, including Gary and Scallorn points, made concerning 34CT40, the Burton #2 site. On expedient (unshaped and lightly used) grinding August 14, 1987, a second site was recorded by stones and the absence of bison remains and Mr. Wallis and is located to the southwest of ceramics from the "lower, buried component." 34CT39. Although initially thought to be a sub- Additionally, a "dark band" was noted in the area of 34CT39, the recovery of a Garza point overflow channel bank that appeared to contain suggested a later time of occupation for this corner charcoal and artifacts. This band is apparently thin of the field than was suspected for the main part of (ca. 3 to 10 ern) where exposed in the vertical sides Burton #1. It was decided that this area should of the overflow channel near the creek, but is more receive its own site designation and name, and diffuse away from the creek where the overflow became the "Burton #2 site, 34CT40." Only a channel is wider and shallower, especially along its small artifact surface collection was appropriated western edge (e.g., the burial area). The dark band from this site and no further attention was paid to was observed as occurring on both walls of the Burton #2 because it was not in any immediate channel, which indicates that at least a portion of danger of disturbance. Mr. Kenneth Joe Burton the site was bisected and impacted by flooding (our liaison with the Burton family) verbally events. Artifacts were noted on the slope of the agreed to remove the site area containing the channel and many are believed to have originated burials (34CT39) from agricultural land use so that from these dark bands. The suspected "upper the cultural resources located there would receive component," found in the plow zone (terrace and some measure of protection from natural and field areas) and on the channel surface above the human disturbance. It must be noted, however, that dark bands, was thought to date later in time based we believe Mrs. Burton has since sold this parcel

3 on the presence of a Fresno point, non-cordmarked terraces and from more recently deposited alluvium pottery and bison bone. along Deep Red Creek, Cache Creek and the Red The results of radiocarbon assays on charcoal River. Lithic materials found on ancient river from two of the features place them into the Plains terraces in this area are usually called "Ogallala Village time period and not Plains Woodland as gravels," which are a mixed collection of originally thought. It is clear now that the dark quartzites, cherts, chalcedonies, petrified wood and band-which we believe is a vertical exposure of a other lithic materials. Ogallala gravels originated in prehistoric occupation surface-plus the features the Rocky Mountains to the west and were and the burials are Plains Village in age and that deposited as stream outwash on the western plains the bulk of the artifacts, if not all, are also from this throughout the Pleistocene era (Banks 1990; same occupational horizon. It appears doubtful that Shelley 1993; Wyckoff 1993). there really was an upper component to the site and Because Plains Villagers are believed to be that the artifacts found in the surrounding fields sedentary agriculturalists, non-local (exotic) lithic were most likely brought to the surface through raw materials should be less common in the overall human activity, animal burrowing and natural lithic assemblage and those present may be traded redeposition processes. Further, the time range materials more so than directly procured materials generally assigned to Gary, Scallorn and Fresno (seasonal movement or special trips). If this is projectile and arrow points tend to overlap, so it is actually the case, then few non-local cores should not unreasonable to suggest that only one cultural be present at the site and tools made from non-local component exists at the site which produced the material should show evidence for curation and use features and artifacts noted and collected. to the point of exhaustion (Bamforth 1986; Morrow The original research orientation suggested for and Jeffries 1989; Nelson 1991). Further, non-local this report was to compare and contrast subsistence reduction debris should be primarily secondary, and resource use patterns between the Plains tertiary, touch-up and rejuvenation debris as a Woodland and Plains Village occupations. With direct consequence of the absence of cores and the the realization that only one cultural component curation of tools. Conversely, locally available most likely exists at the site, the research focus materials should be ubiquitous in the assemblage required some modification. In essence, the study and all stages of reduction debris should be present, of resource use patterns was refocused onto the including tested and moderately-to-well used cores. Late Prehistoric period and was geographically Additionally, expedient tools (quickly made and expanded so more direct comparisons could be discarded) should be constructed from lower- made with contemporary and better known quality local materials while more formal tools Washita River and Henrietta complex sites. This should be made from higher quality local and non- approach has the benefit of expanding our local materials (Bamforth 1986). If the occupants comparative data set in order to investigate broader of Burton #1 were more mobile than sedentary, cultural patterns. As a result, patterns were detected then few usable finished tools of high-quality and at Burton #1 that hint at variability within the non-local materials should be found at the site, as Southern Plains Village tradition in this area with these items would have been taken with their regard to some aspects of subsistence and material owners to the next camp. Consequently, only fine- culture. Although remaining similar in many ways grained reduction debris and exhausted or broken to Washita River and Henrietta complex sites, the tools will be found (Bamforth 1986; Binford 1979). variations found at Burton #1 may indicate However, if the occupants of Burton # I were more localized cultural adaptation to a somewhat harsher sedentary, then a higher percentage of usable and natural environment than is generally found further unusable tools mixed with both low and high- east along the Red River corridor in Oklahoma and quality reduction debris should be found at the site Texas. (Morrow and Jeffries 1989; Nelson 1991). The other research goal was to examine Research Questions and Goals subsistence activities at the site and then compare Basically, two "after the fact" research goals how they articulate with known Southern Plains were formulated for this study. First, because fine- Village patterns. If the occupants of Burton #1 grained lithic raw materials are scarce in the were primarily agriculturalists who also practiced general site area, we assume that the majority of seasonal bison hunting, we would expect to see lithic materials found on site will be locally evidence for cultigens (maize primarily) and bison available coarser-grained raw materials. These remains, mixed with wild plant foods and other materials can be obtained from ancient river prey items. The bison remains should be limited to more transportable segments, such as hindquarters

4 and thighs (D. Hughes 1977; Vehik 1994), can be more confidently expanded to include at although nearby kills may skew this prediction as least a part of southwestern Oklahoma. However, if every effort would be undertaken to bring back as moderate-to-significant variation becomes evident, much of the bison as possible to the village. then it may become necessary to question whether Alternatively, if we find little evidence for groups residing in the western Red River area are agriculture, either directly in the form of burned strongly affiliated with either the Washita River or maize cobs or kernels, or indirectly in the absence Henrietta phase culture areas. of large, basin-shaped grinding stones and digging At present, no Late Prehistoric period culture tools, then this may suggest less sedentary areas have been defined for the region behavior. A determination for either (or neither) encompassing Cotton County, which includes areas pattern at Burton #1 would be important for to the west and southwest along the Red River characterizing some aspects of Southern Plains corridor in Oklahoma and Texas (Figure 2). In fact, Village subsistence in this area, as indicated above. so few prehistoric sites have been reported in Issues of decreasing mobility and changing adjacent Texas counties-Clay, Montague, subsistence strategies through time among Wichita, and western Wilbarger (Biesaart et al. Southern Plains groups are problems addressed in 1985)-that comparisons between Cotton County, numerous studies covering the Late Archaic, far southwestern Oklahoma, and these counties in Woodland and Late Prehistoric periods (Brooks Texas are virtually impossible. Areas to the I994b; Drass 1997; Lintz 1986; Vehik 1984, northwest (Antelope Creek and Buried City), north 1994). In this part of the Southern Plains, few and northeast (Turkey Creek and Washita River), Archaic and Plains Woodland sites have been east and southeast (Henrietta Complex) and the far investigated which limits what can be said about southwest (Desert Mogollon-like groups in the changing subsistence and settlement patterns. Caprock area and the Llano Estacado) are much However, several recent culture area syntheses of better known. Because very little research has been Plains Village occupations in south-central conducted in the greater Cotton County area and Oklahoma are available (e.g., Brooks 1989, 1994c; westward, it becomes necessary to focus on the Drass 1997) and north-central Texas (Brooks 1989; better known Washita River-Turkey Creek and Martin 199 I; Prikryl 1990; Prikryl and Perttula Henrietta complexes for comparative purposes. 1995). These syntheses primarily focus on the The boundaries of the Henrietta Complex are Washita River and Henrietta complexes and are occasionally expanded to include the Red River updated and expanded versions of earlier syntheses Valley in Cotton County (e.g., Drass 1998), but no (e.g., Bell 1973, 1984a; Krieger 1946). While they research has been done to date to specifically test do not focus directly on the region encompassing this assumption. Until more research is conducted Cotton County, they are useful for comparative in the western Red River corridor in both purposes. If the results of the analyses in this report Oklahoma and Texas, analyses of "isolated" sites generally support the cultural patterns outlined for are handicapped to a degree. either of these areas, then the boundaries for either

ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND

The project area is located along Deep Red Redbed Plains, also known as the Permian Redbeds Creek in Cotton County, Oklahoma, which is a (Curtis and Ham 1972; Rinwald and Lamar large and important tributary of Cache Creek and 1963:43), which is the primary source of the ultimately the Red River in this section of reddish suspended silt carried by both streams (and Oklahoma (Figure 3). Deep Red Creek is a roughly hence their names). The Wichita Mountains to the NW-SE trending stream, as are many streams and north near Lawton, Oklahoma provide the highest rivers in Oklahoma. The general physiography of relief in the general study area and are the remnants the area is marked by wide stream floodplains of a Cambrian-age volcanic granitic field (Banks surrounded by low rolling hills. Deep Red Creek 1990; Wyckoff and Brooks 1983 :58). and the Red River both flow through the Central

5 . Burton #1 Site I

.I

Soils in the area belong to the Miller year. Riparian species include cottonwood association, which is a reddish, calcareous clay (Populus deltoides), walnut (Juglans sp.), hickory bottomland soil, derived primarily from Foard, and pecan (Carya sp.), elm (Ulmus sp.), and Tillman, and Vernon soils of the nearby uplands hackberry (Celtis sp.) in the river valleys, and (Rinwald and Lamar 1963:5,14). This soil type is scrub oak (Quercus sp.) and mesquite (Prosopis fairly common along Deep Red Creek. In this part juliflora) in more exposed areas (Blair and Hubbel of Oklahoma, soils tend to form slowly and are 1938; Drass 1997:22,28-33; Rinwald and Lamar subjected to wind and water erosion. Although 1963 :5; Wyckoff and Brooks 1983 :58). The bedrock outcrops are rare, gravel deposits on high extensive grasslands consist primarily of bluestem terraces can be fairly abundant and are primarily (Andropogon sp.), buffalo grass (Buchloe derived from the Ogallala Formation, an Early dactyloides), and grama species (Bouteloua sp.) Pleistocene-age river and stream terrace system (Rinwald and Lamar 1963 :5, 14; Wyckoff and originating from the newly formed Rocky Brooks 1983:58). The local shortgrass and mixed Mountains (Banks 1990; Rinwald and Lamar prairie environment supports a diverse array of 1963:43; Shelley 1993). Mixed within the gravels animals, including bison (Bison bison), deer are cherts, chalcedonies, and quartzites, lithic raw (Odocoileus virginianus), antelope (Antilocapra materials found to be useful by local prehistoric americana), jackrabbit (Lepus sp.), prairie dog flintknappers (Banks 1990; Shelley 1993). (Cynomys ludovicianusi, and coyote (Canis The biotic environment of the general area latrans) (Drass 1997:22, 40-42), although modem consists of a mixture of short- and tall- grass prairie land use practices have greatly altered local and riparian tree zones, which are supported by environments and animal distributions. erratic rainfall averages of less than 30 inches per

6 N Miles

Figure 3 Major Drainages of Western Oklahoma and North-Central Texas

Paleoenvironmental reconstructions have been valleys. However, beginning around A.D. 900- created for nearby areas in Oklahoma (e.g. Albert 1000, the climatic regime changed to somewhat and Wyckoff 1984; Ferring 1982; Hall and Lintz drier conditions, which lasted to A.D. 1200 to 1984). Briefly, changes in temperature and rainfall 1300. During this period, grasslands expanded regimes have been documented which are thought greatly at the expense of woodlands. There is some to have been either dramatic enough or to have evidence to suggest that climatic conditions lasted long enough to produce significant changes fluctuated regularly between drier and wetter in the balance between grasslands and woodlands. conditions until A.D. 1550 or so. At this point, it From approximately A.D. 1 to 1000, climatic appears that the environment was somewhat conditions were generally wetter and cooler than at affected by the "Little Ice Age", producing cooler present, which favored the expansion of oak and winters and yearly variation in temperature and hickory forests beyond the river and stream rainfall patterns until about A.D. 1900.

7 CULTURE HISTORY FOR THE SOUTHERN PLAINS OF OKLAHOMA AND NORTH-CENTRAL TEXAS

Evidence for human occupation of western groups appear to have had a broad-spectrum Oklahoma covers the spectrum of known cultural approach to selecting and hunting Late Pleistocene periods for the Southern Plains region. This megafauna, such as mammoth (Mammathus sp.), includes Paleoindian, Archaic, Plains Woodland, bison (Bison antiquus), and camel (Camelid sp.). Late Prehistoric, Protohistoric and Historic period Clovis people primarily used large, partially fluted occupations. The number of sites assigned to each lanceolate spear points which is the diagnostic cultural period varies, with the oldest complexes indicator of Clovis-period occupations (Johnson generally having fewer known sites because of 1991; Todd 1991). Folsom period (8,500-7,000 many factors including lower population densities, B.C.) hunters focused primarily on Pleistocene and differential site burial and differential preservation post-Pleistocene transitional bison species (Bison and exposure. Additionally, few research or antiquus, Bison occidentalis and early Bison bison) contract oriented projects have taken place in (Wyckoff and Dalquest 1997). Sites are identified Cotton County that would have assisted in by the occurrence of distinctive, finely fluted expanding the total number of recorded sites. lanceolate spear points, also known as Folsom Although increasing numbers of sites through time (Bement 1997; Hofman I989a; Johnson 1991; have been documented, this does not necessarily Todd 1991). translate to a generalized unilinear model of Folsom and later terminal Paleoindian increasing regional population densities; many complexes (e.g., Plainview, Scottsbluff, Eden, etc.) areas of the Southern Plains show marked increases represent a rather drastic change in subsistence and in occupational intensity followed by decreases in a perhaps mobility patterns. This change is seen as cyclical fashion (Vehik 1994). Variation in an adaptive response (mobility and subsistence) to subsistence pursuits and demography is often swiftly changing environmental conditions and associated with fluctuating climatic conditions and biomass, specifically extinction of the megafauna biomass which then often cross-cuts changing and retreat of the continental glaciers (Johnson social conditions, e.g., warfare and territoriality 1991; Lundelis 1988). The Clovis people may have (Brooks 1994b). Although change in large scale been truly nomadic in that they may have followed socio-economic patterns through time for the their prey in unscheduled or unpatterned Southern Plains is an important topic, this section movements, while Folsom and later Paleoindian will concentrate primarily on the prehistory of groups may have moved from place to place to south--central and southwestern Oklahoma, and wait for the return of bison herds. Folsom groups north--central Texas, but will refer to broader may have returned at least three times to the same patterns where necessary. site over a period of years to trap bison in a particular arroyo (Bement 1997), which is strong evidence for suggesting some kind of scheduled or PALEOINDIAN PERIOD (10,000- seasonal movement (Binford 1980). While evidence for hunting and/or scavenging large game 7,000 B.C.) can be found at several Oklahoma Paleo indian sites, such as the Clovis period Domebo (34CD50) Evidence for Paleo indian occupation in south- mammoth butchering site and the Folsom period central and especially southwestern Oklahoma is Cooper (34HP45) bison kill site (Leonhardy 1966a; sparse. However, this should not be taken as Bement 1997), they also undoubtedly evidence that Paleo indian groups rarely ventured supplemented their diet with smaller prey items into the Cotton County area; the lack of available and edible plants, although evidence for this is data could be simply a factor of site preservation generally lacking at most open-air Paleoindian and/or discovery. In general, the Paleoindian sites. occupation in Oklahoma is dated to at least 12,000 The transitional period between Paleoindian years ago (Hofman 1989a), although sites dating and Early Archaic most likely represents a time of much earlier have been reported (Wyckoff and Brooks 1983). Clovis period (10,000-8,500 8.c.) "settling in" with regards to subsistence patterns and seasonal scheduling of resource procurement

8 activities (Johnson 1991). Bison exploitation descriptive data are available. This period is became the primary focus of late Paleo indian generally characterized by extremely dry and warm groups and more extensive plant use may have conditions, known as the "altithermal" (Antevs become important as well. The Perry Ranch site in 1955), although its duration and extent are still southwestern Oklahoma is one of the better known debated (Albert and Wyckoff 1984). Lanceolate late Paleoindian (Plainview) sites in the state points virtually disappear and are replaced by (Saunders and Penman 1979). Some of the better somewhat smaller stemmed points, including known projectile point types of the Paleoindian- Carrollton, Wheeler, Edgewood, Wells, Martindale Early Archaic transitional period are Plainview, and Castroville types (Brooks and Drass 1984:23). Meserve, and Dalton. Whereas Clovis and Folsom An exception is the Calf Creek point, which is projectile points appear to be widespread across typically much larger than other middle Archaic North America, the later point types appear to be points. The Calf Creek complex has received more regionalized, perhaps indicating the recent attention, and although centered more in development of resource territories and seasonal central and eastern Oklahoma, it represents the mobility among these groups. only well-defined Middle Archaic culture for the Southern Plains of Oklahoma (Duncan 1993; Wyckoff 1994). Brooks and Drass (1984:23-24) ARCHAIC PERIOD (7,000-100 B.C.) report that evidence exists for exploitation of fish during the Middle Archaic as indicated by the Archaic period foraging groups exemplify the presence of net sinkers and fish remains found in adaptive changes made necessary by drier and some refuse pits dating to this period. It appears warmer climatic conditions occurring after the end that the range of food items exploited by groups of the Pleistocene. Hunting and foraging groups living in the Southern Plains began to expand remained fairly mobile and continued to focus on during the Middle Archaic to include previously bison as their primary prey (Hofman I989a). underutilized resources. Middle Archaic groups However, the remains of smaller prey and the appear to be fairly mobile, perhaps even more so presence of grinding and nutting stones frequently than Early Archaic groups. found in association with Archaic period sites The Late Archaic period (2,000-100 B.c.) is indicates a broadening of the food spectrum the best represented Archaic sequence in south- exploited by these groups. The grinding and central and southwestern Oklahoma. The Summers nutting stones strongly indicate that exploitation of complex in western Oklahoma has been defined edible plant material became much more important through the efforts of Leonhardy (1966b) and in the overall subsistence strategies of some summarized by D. Hughes (1984), despite the fact Archaic period groups in Oklahoma (Wyckoff and that only a few sites from this complex have Brooks 1983). Changes through time are evident actually been excavated, tested or dated. during the Archaic period and as a result it has Additionally, debate continues on whether this been divided into three sub-periods: Early, Middle complex is actually a Late Archaic manifestation or and Late. even whether it is real (Drass 1997). Traditionally, Early Archaic period (7,000-4,000 B.C.) the list of Summers complex diagnostic traits artifact assemblages typically contain lanceolate include Marshall, Lange, Gary, Ensor and Marcos spear points, similar in many respects to earlier projectile points, ovate knives, thin-grinding slabs, Clovis and Folsom points (minus the fluting manos and circular/stone-lined fire-pits. aspect), smaller lithic tools, including scrapers, Subsistence patterns continue the general Archaic burins, knives, and choppers, and expedient manos tradition which includes bison (Buehler 1997), deer and metates (Hofman I989a). Some of the better and plant exploitation. Late Archaic material known projectile point types of the Early Archaic remains in south-central Oklahoma are believed to period include Trinity and Frio. Faunal evidence resemble those found in north-central Texas, points to exploitation of a wide array of grassland primarily the Elam focus. The typical Elam focus and woodland animals, including bison, deer and assemblage contains Gary, Ellis, Elam and antelope (D. Hughes 1984). Most Early Archaic Yarbrough points, scrapers, small concave sites tend to be small camps, kill sites or other unifaces, choppers, cores and hammerstones limited activity sites, possibly indicating high (Brooks and Drass 1984:24). levels of group mobility for this period. Perhaps two of the more significant additions The Middle Archaic period (4,000-2,000 B.C.) to the Late Archaic artifact assemblage are utilized is not well defined for the general study area flakes and basin metates (Drass 1984). Utilized (Brooks and Drass 1984:23-24), although some flakes suggest perhaps a more expedient lithic tool

9 kit than seen previously, possibly reflecting a more been identified as "typical" for the early Plains broad-based and opportunistic hunting strategy Village Custer phase and are viewed as transitional (Binford 1977, 1979) and more intensive use of elements between Woodland and Plains Village locally available materials (Lurie 1989; Morrow assemblages (Drass 1997:7-9). Some of the and Jeffries 1989). The presence of basin metates diagnostic traits identified as Woodland in earlier (although generally not deep) suggest that more reports (e.g., Brooks and Drass 1984:29-30) are intensified processing of plant foods was occurring now thought to be early Plains Village. For (Hard 1990). It is still unknown what type of example, early Plains Village sites often include habitation structures Late Archaic people used, both cordmarked and smoothed pottery, digging although the lack of identifiable structural remains sticks and hoes, unifacial end scrapers, Gary dart suggests the use of light surface structures built points (smaller versions of Late Archaic Gary with perishable materials, which possibly indicates points), Scallorn and Morris arrow points, corner- mobile residential patterns (Diehl 1992). notched Ellis and Williams points, ovate knives, manos and basin metates. Although many diagnostic elements co-occur PLAINS (100 in both the Woodland and Late Prehistoric periods, Drass (1997:8-11) has isolated those which pertain B.C.-A.D. 800/900) only to the Woodland Period. These diagnostic elements include scattered small base camps with Two major changes occur during the Plains possible shallow circular houses, rock-lined hearths Woodland period: (1) the appearance of arrow and roasting ovens, large and small basin pits, points (and by extension, the introduction of bow scattered burials (most of which do not have grave and arrow technology) and (2), the introduction of goods), thick grit-tempered cordmarked pottery pottery (Drass 1997: 10-11 ; Vehik 1984). and a few agricultural tools. Lithic tools include Somewhat wetter climatic conditions promoted the comer-notched arrow points (e.g., Scallorn), Ellis expansion of woodland and aquatic environments points and smaller versions of Gary points, as well which is reflected in the animals exploited by Woodland groups. These resources include deer, as scrapers and bifacial drills made of local Ogallala materials. Grinding stones are common elk, beaver, raccoons, rabbits and squirrels, plus and are generally made from a variety of locally aquatic species such as fish, turtles and mussels available raw materials.True villages are not yet (Drass 1984a; Vehik 1984), in addition to bison. part of the cultural landscape in central and western Nuts were harvested on a regular basis, which Oklahoma. Although the number of Woodland includes pecan, hickory and acorns. Additionally, period sites investigated in central and western seed-bearing plants were exploited, including Oklahoma is greater than the preceding Archaic pokeweed, marshelder passionflower and cheno- period, much still needs to be done in order to ams (Drass 1997: II). Locally available lithic raw better define subsistence, settlement and socio- materials tend to dominate assemblages, although economic patterns of Southern Plains Woodland non-local lithic materials are common occurrences period groups. at Woodland sites. Ceramics tend to be cordmarked globular jars, while trade wares appear to be extremely limited in occurrence; eastern Oklahoma ceramic types (Fourche Maline phase or early LATE PREHISTORIC PERIOD: Harlan phase of the Caddoan sequence) have on PLAINS VILLAGE (A.D. 800/900- occasion been found at western Oklahoma Woodland sites (Hofman and Brooks 1989; Galm 1500) 1984; Vehik 1984). The Plains Village cultural tradition of the The Plains Woodland period in southwestern Late Prehistoric period in central and western Oklahoma and north-central Texas is not well Oklahoma is well represented by both known and defined due to a paucity of site data. The Pruitt excavated sites. The Late Prehistoric period was complex in central Oklahoma was defined by Barr initially subdivided into two phases: Custer, A.D. (1966), but on data from a very limited number of 800-1250 (Hofman 1984a) and Washita River, sites (Hofman and Brooks 1989). Barr's work has A.D. 1250-1450 (Bell 1984a; Drass 1997:12-16). been reanalyzed and the sites he used redated by Each phase is characterized by subtle to distinct Drass (1988; 1997:7-9) who now places the Pruitt differences in architecture, artifacts and subsistence complex in the early Plains Village tradition. All of practices. Generally, Plains Villagers in Oklahoma the diagnostic elements of the Pruitt complex have lived in square to rectangular wattle-and-daub

10 houses along permanent watercourses and Alibates flint in the lithic assemblage (compared to depended heavily on cultivated crops for Frisco chert in Washita River sites.) Turkey Creek subsistence (Brooks 1987, 1989; Brooks et al. phase sites are concentrated in the mixed grass 1985; Drass 1997:12-16). Available evidence prairies of western Oklahoma, specifically the zone suggests that Southern Plains Villagers were fairly between the tall grass prairies to the east and the sedentary, however, the small size of many villages short grass prairie of the High Plains to the west. could be construed to indicate that some level of Sites are found to the north in the Canadian River seasonal residential mobility or periodic village basin down to the upper North Fork of the Red relocation was still important (Brooks 1987; River to the south. I994a). Bison hunting increases during the Plains The Washita River phase is viewed as an in Village period, suggesting perhaps that at least situ expansion of the preceding Paoli phase (Drass some villagers were engaged in bison hunts (Drass 1997). These phases are found primarily in the and Flynn 1990; Vehik 1994). Washita River basin in south-central Oklahoma but Drass (1997: 17-20) has suggested that, based may extend north to the Canadian River basin and on regional and temporal variations of material south to the Red River. Earlier Paoli phase sites are culture and settlement patterns, the Custer and characterized as small, possibly semi-permanent Washita River phases represent geographical villages evolving out of the Late Woodland period variants of Plains Village complexes. Each has in this area. Specialized and formalized lithic tools been subdivided into early and late phases and all are more common in Paoli phase sites than Late are considered to form a regional variant within the Woodland sites, suggesting perhaps the Plains Village tradition. Drass (1997: 18) suggests development of new tasks requiring a more the term "Redbed Plains Variant" to describe the specialized tool kit, especially during the Washita overarching cultural manifestation of these four River phase (Drass 1997: 161). Washita River phases. For western Oklahoma, he suggests using phase sites are composed of large villages of Custer phase for early village sites (A.D. 800- square to rectangular wattle-and-daub houses and 1250) and Turkey Creek phase for later sites (A.D. distinct cemeteries are occasionally found at larger 1250-1450). For south-central Oklahoma, Paoli villages. Agriculture becomes the primary means phase replaces Custer (A.D. 800-1250) and is of subsistence, however, bison and wild plant food followed by the Washita River phase (1250-1450). procurement remain important subsistence Because Cotton County lies to the southwest of the activities. Changes in the artifact assemblage Paoli/Washita River phase area and southeast of include an increase in smoothed plainware the Custer/Turkey Creek phase area, it is ceramics at the expense of cordmarked ceramics problematic to assign the Burton #1 site to either. and the replacement of comer-notched and According to Drass (1997:17-20), the stemmed points with unnotched and side-notched redefined Custer phase is marked by a continuation triangular arrow points (Fresno, Washita and of many Late Woodland period traits and is Harrell). Stone and bison bone agricultural tools thought to have developed in situ from this earlier become more common, which includes bison period (see also Hofman 1984a). Custer phase scapula hoes, stone hoes and stone celts. traits include comer-notched, triangular side- An increase in trade items found at Plains notched and stemmed arrow points, end and side Village sites suggests an intensification of trading scrapers, cordmarked and plain pottery, bison bone relationships with neighboring groups. Plains digging sticks and hoes, bone awls, grinding stones Villagers most likely traded bison meat and hides and stone shaft abraders. Ornamental and perhaps in exchange for marine shell and non-local cherts ritual items include shell disk beads and stone "L"- from eastern Oklahoma and Texas groups, and shaped pipes. Houses are generally square to obsidian, olivella shell and minor amounts of rectangular wattle-and-daub structures with central pueblo pottery from the Southwest (Bell 1984a; hearths, and are scattered in small farmstead Brooks and Drass 1984:33; Drass 1997:14-16). clusters along river terraces or low ridge toes. Drass and Flynn (1990), Baugh (1994) and Brooks Family groups subsisted primarily on bison and (1994c) suggest that the increase in Plains Village maize, although they made extensive use of a wide bison exploitation is a result of trade intensification array of animal and plant species. Burials and brought about by climatic fluctuations occurring refuse pits are common occurrences at Custer primarily after A.D. 1200. The intensification of phase sites. trading practices can be viewed as an additional The Turkey Creek phase is differentiated from strategy for minimizing subsistence shortfalls Washita River phase sites by higher frequencies of (Brooks 1990). cordmarked-to-plain pottery and by a dominance of

11 NORTH-CENTRAL TEXAS PLAINS (Brooks 1989). Lithic raw material use patterns are generally not well described, although it appears VILLAGE OCCUPATIONS that while many Henrietta complex groups The Henrietta complex, sometimes also intensively used local materials, they continued to referred to as the Henrietta focus, is the primary either trade or undertake procurement trips to Plains Village occupation found in north-central acquire non-local cherts and flints. Exotic and trade Texas (Brooks 1989; Krieger 1946; Martin 1991; items include Alibates, Edwards and Tecovas flints Prikryl 1990). However, the Henrietta complex and cherts, obsidian from the Southwest, and remains an ill-defined and "nebulous" taxonomic Florence, Frisco and other cherts from regions to entity (Prikryl and Perttula 1995:192) despite 50 the north and east. Trade in ceramics seems to have years of research on Henrietta complex sites across been primarily with the eastern Caddoan area north-central Texas (e.g., Forrester 1991; Krieger (Krieger 1946), with occasional southwestern 1946, Lorraine 1967; Martin 1991; Prikryl 1990; Mogollon and Anasazi ceramics appearing in Woodall 1967). Caddoan groups are found to the Henrietta complex site assemblages (Brooks 1989; east of Henrietta complex sites and to the west are Prikryl and Perttula 1995). poorly-defined occupations resembling Antelope Village sites are generally small, averaging Creek and Palo Duro phase groups (1. Hughes between .5 to 2 ha (Brooks 1989), although larger 1989), although the Palo Duro phase may date sites are known to occur (Martin 1991). Sites are earlier than A.D. 1200 (Boyd 1995). The Henrietta generally located on bluffs and terraces complex merges into the Washita River phase to overlooking well-watered valleys. Surprisingly, the north but perhaps not with the Paoli phase as little information is available on house the Henrietta complex is generally dated to A.D. morphology, but Lorraine (1969) and Krieger 1200/1300 to 1500 and does not greatly overlap (1946) have reported that a number of sites have with the Paoli phase (Drass 1997). both circular "saucer" type structures and squarish Based on excavations at numerous Henrietta structures. Features are fairly common and include complex sites, it appears that these groups extensive middens, rock hearths, storage pits and maintained strong economic and social ties with burials (Brooks 1989). Burials tend to be flexed or the Caddoan area as indicated by the presence of semiflexed and can occur in cemeteries or as sinzle~ Caddoan ceramics, traded lithic raw material types occurrences (Brooks 1989; Martin 1991). Grave and other items originating from the Caddoan area goods are not common, even though shell beads, (Krieger 1946; Martin 1991; Prikryl and Perttula bison scapula hoes, pipes, clay, ochre, pottery, 1995). Although western Plains ceramic tradewares projectile points, stone tools and shell gorgets have and lithic materials, especially Alibates flint, are been occasionally found as mortuary offerings reported to occur on Henrietta complex sites, there (Brooks 1989; Krieger 1946; Martin 1991). is less evidence for intensive contact and However, as shown by Martin (1991), great interaction with western High Plains and variability in mortuary treatment can occur, Panhandle groups (Forrester 1991; Krieger 1946; including burial position, grave goods and Lorraine 1969; Martin 199I). The Henrietta condition of the skeleton. complex is most often compared to the Washita It is also apparent that spatial variability exists River phase and is viewed as part of the same within the Henrietta complex, with northern sites Southern Plains Village tradition (Brooks 1989; resembling the Washita River phase more than Drass 1997; Prikryl and Perttula 1995; Vehik southern sites and eastern sites being more 1994). Caddoan-like than their western or northern The Henrietta complex is defined as a general counterparts. This variability is the primary reason collection of Southern Plains Village culture traits. why the Henrietta complex is continually referred These traits include side-notched and unnotched to as a nebulous, ill-defined and outmoded triangular arrow points (Washita, Harrell and taxonomic and "cultural" entity. Part of this Fresno), leaf and diamond shaped knives, drills, problem lies with Krieger's early definition of this end and side scrapers, gravers and flint "saws," cultural manifestation as a uniform cultural "focus" groundstone tools, celts, shaft abraders, bison bone and not a complex of spatially variable site types. agricultural tools and plainware ceramics primarily To compound this taxonomic problem, Krieger tempered with shell (Brooks 1989; Krieger 1946; defined the Henrietta "focus" based almost entirely Martin 1991). Additionally, mussel shell is on one centrally located and excavated site (the commonly found in middens and some may have Harrell site). Although these problems have been been used as ornaments and agricultural tools noted by other researchers (e.g., Brooks 1989; Drass 1997; Forrester 1991; Lorraine 1967; Prikryl

12 1990; Prikryl and Perttula 1995; Martin 1991; generally low within artifact assemblages at Vehik 1994), a consensus on what the Henrietta western Oklahoma sites, while farming lifestyles complex represents and how it should be defined continued in eastern Oklahoma (Bell I984b ). Bison remains elusive. hunting appears to be important for western Oklahoma Protohistoric people, especially when the great "horse cultures" became established PROTOmSTORIC PERIOD (A.D. across the Plains post-A.D. 1700. Because it is difficult to define Protohistoric sites by surface 1450-1700) survey alone, few sites have been identified or During the Protohistoric period, great researched in Oklahoma. Recent work at the Little upheavals across the Southern Plains are apparent Deer (34CU I0) site in western Oklahoma by Drass as seen in both regional abandonment and and Vehik will provide important data concerning coalescence into fewer, but larger, fortified villages the cultural adaptations of western Protohistoric (Brooks I 994b; Drass 1997: 16-17; 1. Hofman groups. 1984b; 1989b). The possible causes for this period The Protohistoric period also witnessed the of widespread social reorganization include both arrival of many nomadic groups, including the environmental and cultural factors. Climatic Apache (Athapaskans), Kiowa (Bell 1973: 185, fluctuations are known to have occurred, beginning 1984b; Wedel 1961: 131) and Comanche, which around A.D. 1450-1500, which may have disrupted may account, in part, for the development of fortified villages, local abandonment and a general established smaller-scale farming village subsistence. Available evidence suggests that disruption of many long-established cultural traditions (Brooks 1994b). Controversy over who trading networks expanded, possibly to offset local shortages and to build alliances, bringing a wide these nomadic tribes met in western Oklahoma range of goods into central Oklahoma including remains a part of Southern Plains archaeology (Baugh 1984; Bell 1984b; Drass 1997: 16-17; 1. European tradewares from the Southwest and Southeast. Hofman 1984b, 1989). Many researchers contend that Protohistoric groups comprising the Wheeler Subsistence patterns indicate that bison hunting became the primary source of food for phase and Edwards complex are the direct ancestors of the Wichita (Baugh 1986, 1994; Drass groups in western Oklahoma (Bell 1984b; Drass and Baugh 1997; 1. Hofman I 984b). Bell (l984b) and Baugh 1997), while others dispute this based on ceramic style and technological evidence (1. suggests that many early Wichita villages were Hofman I984b, 1989b). 1. Hofman (l984b:360- located along large eastern Oklahoma streams to take advantage of trading relations with French and 361) suggests that Edwards and Wheeler phase Indian settlements in Louisiana. Typical groups represent a mixing of Protohistoric material culture includes triangular Athapaskan/Puebloan/Plains Indian traits, which unnotched arrow points (Fresno and Garza), ovate are dissimilar to Wichita remains from other areas and beveled knives, large scrapers and clay and/or of Oklahoma. The resolution of these problems grog tempered pottery that usually has a sandy promises to be an exciting and contentious part of paste (e.g., Edwards plain) (Drass and Baugh Plains archaeology. 1997). The quantity of agricultural tools is

PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN COTTON COUNTY

Cotton County remains one of the least studied Oklahoma. The construction of Interstate 44 areas in the state, which includes the southwestern through the eastern part of Cotton County was tier of counties. Cotton County is primarily completed without the benefit of archaeological agricultural and the lack of a diversified economic research, although some survey and testing along base has had the effect of limiting federally the highway corridor was later accomplished mandated compliance work and research oriented (Anderson and Bearden 1992). As a result, the survey and excavation. Additionally, only one number of sites recorded for the county is low. major reservoir project in Cotton County required Many of these sites date to the Historic period and archaeological clearance work (Waurika many of the others are "unassigned prehistoric." Reservoir), unlike many other counties in

13 This situation makes any discussion of prehistoric Woodland-Plains Village and Protohistoric sites occupations in Cotton County very difficult. respectively. Beyond frequency counting for each Despite the limited data base for Cotton category, little more is known about these County, a number of recorded sites do contain lists identifiable prehistoric sites. None have been of artifact types noted and many sites have been extensively tested or researched except 34CTI7 assigned to particular temporal/cultural periods. where two early Plains Village burials were This information is useful for outlining a excavated (1. Hofman 1977). The Burton # I site preliminary sketch of cultural developments in the probably provides the best data available for any general area in addition to providing a comparative prehistoric habitation site in Cotton County. The database for the Burton #1 site. Because most site remaining sites belong to the Historic period descriptions retain a high level of vagueness with (n=58) and are divided into "Indian" and "non- regards to cultural affiliation and artifact Indian." Most of these sites are the remains of assemblages, none have been linked to the cultural houses, farm buildings, schools, businesses and traditions that surround Cotton County. For cemeteries. Eleven are "Indian" and 42 are "non- example, sites assigned to the "Late Prehistoric Indian," including an 1840s era trading post; five period" cannot be broken down further into sites are unassignable to either category. "Washita River" or "Henrietta complex." Spivey et Sixty-five recent survey projects, conducted al. (1977:11-15) note that much of the Red Bed during the 1970s through the 1990s, are known for Plains area in southwestern Oklahoma is terra Cotton County. All of these projects are the result incognito, but they do suggest that Plains Village of federally sponsored programs or regulations; sites should resemble Henrietta complex sites of none resulted from just strictly academic research. north-central Texas based on proximity and The majority of surveys (n=26) are Bureau of topography. However, this assumption has not Indian Affairs (BIA) sponsored activities, primarily been tested to date. for private home construction and land acquisitions To begin the process of gathering and or removal of restrictions. The Oklahoma assessing archaeological data for Cotton County, Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been site records were queried at the Oklahoma active in Cotton County (18 projects) through road Archaeological Survey in Norman for data on both resurfacing, widening and bridge repair work. archaeological sites and research/CRM projects. Fourteen projects were generated by the oil and gas These records primarily date to the 1970s through industry, including pipeline construction and well the 1990s, although many sites were recorded drilling. The remainder of the projects are fairly during the decades prior to the establishment of the evenly distributed among recreational projects, Survey. The number of recorded sites is small Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land deals compared to other Oklahoma counties, as are and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey and testing projects. Much of the county's sponsored projects, including sewage, water lines cultural resource programs have been concentrated and facilities. Twenty-one archaeological sites along its major streams and rivers, including the were recorded as the result of these projects and the Red River to the south and its primary tributaries, remainder were recorded by private individuals and Cache Creek, West Cache Creek and Deep Red from projects dating to the years before 1978. Creek. Prehistoric groups were invariably drawn to Many sites were recorded during the WP A era important water sources and there is no reason to of the 1930s, but little information is available on believe that Cotton County is an exception to this the nature of these sites. The construction of "rule." Waurika Reservoir in Cotton, Jefferson and To date, I I I sites have been formally recorded Stephens counties resulted in a cultural resource for Cotton County, which is low compared to most survey that recorded over 50 sites in this area, but Oklahoma Counties but is average for many of these were unassigned lithic scatter sites southwestern Oklahoma. Sixty-eight sites are listed (Lawton 1958; Spivey et al. 1977). In much of as prehistoric, of which 75 percent (n=51) are Oklahoma, reservoir construction over the past 50 unassigned to any age or cultural group. Of the years has had the benefit of providing site location remaining prehistoric sites, one is possibly information for literally thousands of sites (Brooks Paleoindian, two are Archaic, nine are Plains 1992). Unfortunately, Cotton County has not Woodland and 11 are Plains Village (many are benefited greatly from reservoir construction. cross-listed as multi-component sites.) No sites that Numerous small-scale projects, many sponsored by are definitely Protohistoric have been recorded. local museums, particularly the Museum of the Included in these overall totals are the Burton # I in Lawton, have recorded a number of and #2 sites; they were recorded as Plains sites. A current list of major research, survey and

14 review reports for projects in Cotton County traditions in the Southern Plains remain include Anderson and Bearden (1992, 1994), problematical. Bastian (1967), J. Hofman (1977), Lawton (1958), Plains Village sites (e.g., 34CT17, 21, 39, 43, Northcutt (1980), Spivey et al. (1977), Stevens and 54 and 98) are also generally located along the Hay (1977) and Wallis (1990,1997). same river courses and in the same topographic settings as sites dating to the Plains Woodland period. None of these sites have been studied SOME GENERALIZATIONS ON SITE (except the Burton #1 site), so we cannot state whether they represent villages, fanning hamlets, TYPE AND SITE LOCATION IN or camps; I suspect that a mixture of all is likely. COTTON COUNTY The diversity of artifact types reported is generally much greater for Late Prehistoric period sites than Because so little information is available for for Plains Woodland sites. Diagnostic projectile Cotton County, this section remains a tentative points for the Late Prehistoric period sites include sketch that is subject to extensive revision as more Fresno, Washita and Harrell points, although data are acquired (including the results from the Scallorns are also occasionally reported. In general, investigations at Burton #1.)Little can be said at other artifact types remain poorly described, this point for Paleoindian and Archaic occupations, including pottery, groundstone, agricultural tools except that they are either few in number or that and ornamental items. Lithic assemblages are sites dating to these periods are so deeply buried composed primarily of locally available materials, they have yet to be found. The distribution of but Edwards, Alibates, Tecovas, Frisco and Archaic sites is primarily along streams (although Florence cherts have been noted. Very little 34CT96 is in an upland setting) and they may be subsistence data are available except for the small campsites and special use sites. Local occasional mention of bison remains noted at some Ogallala quartzites and cherts dominate lithic of the sites. assemblages, which include exhausted cores and The Protohistoric period in Cotton County is formal tools (Yarbrough projectile points and a poorly represented in the state records. Although variety of scrapers.) many unassigned artifact scatters have been given a Plains Woodland sites appear to be camps, not broad temporal range (Archaic to Protohistoric), villages, and most are on terraces and floodplains none of the reported site characteristics would along major water courses (e.g., sites 34CT9, 16, seem to be definitively Protohistoric in age. A 18,46 and 94), although several sites may be in the Garza point base found at Burton #2 (34CT40) is uplands above stream valleys (e.g., 34CT73, 89 suggestive of a Protohistoric time frame, but and 90). However, these latter sites are identified beyond this site, few similar occurrences have been as "Woodland to Protohistoric" and are of little use recorded. At this point, it cannot be determined if for reconstructing prehistoric patterns without a Protohistoric sites have been missed during survey tighter date range. No agricultural tools have been (identification problems) or if the area was actually reported for any of these sites and very few contain abandoned during this tumultuous time period. The pottery (most of which is ill described when general outline of cultural developments through present.) Diagnostic projectile points include Gary, time for Cotton County provided here is helpful to Scallorn, Ellis and Yarbrough types. Because it is a degree, but clearly more work needs to be done to difficult to discern general settlement, subsistence clarify many of the difficulties and problems and material culture patterns for the Cotton County discussed here. area, their relationships to other Plains Woodland

DATA RECOVERY METHODOLOGY FOR BURTON #1 (34CT39)

This section details data recovery operations at feature fill which helps to somewhat balance the the Burton #1 site (34CT39) and very briefly at more limited information potential of just surface Burton #2 (34CT40), Cotton County, Oklahoma. collections. Overall, the varied nature of data The bulk of the data collected are from surface and collection has helped to ensure that important erosional contexts, but numerous artifacts and other information was gathered which can be used for samples were gathered from shovel probes and addressing the subsistence and material culture

15 questions outlined earlier in this report. This ARTIFACT COLLECTION AT THE section will begin with a discussion of the general site setting and how it affected artifact collection, BURTON #1 (34CT39) SITE followed by a brief description of Burton #2 and Three areas were surface collected at Burton the collection strategy employed there. # 1: (1) the plow zone on both sides of the overflow channel, including the first and second terraces above the creek, (2) the disturbed areas in the dike THE SITE SETTING repair zone and (3) the sides and base of the overflow channel (Figure 5). The collection Both sites are on the southern floodplain and strategy targeted all observable artifacts, in low terrace of Deep Red Creek near its confluence addition to bone (human and animal), mussel shell, with West Cache Creek (Figure A-I located in the burned rock and clay, lithic raw material samples appendix). A small ephemeral drainage traverses and historic period trash. Bulk artifact collections the northwest edge of the site where it ultimately were bagged separately according to their specific joins Deep Red Creek north of the site. The general collection zone, e.g., "terrace, west side of topography of the area is fairly level, with a series overflow channel." For the plow zone and dike of low terraces bordering the creek from its gently repair areas, 17 bulk artifact samples were upward sloping floodplain. The lower site area is collected and seven samples were collected from subject to occasional flooding, sediment deposition the overflow channel. and scouring, as evidenced by the flooding events Five features were identified and were targeted of 1987 and the entrenchment of the overflow for excavation. Due to a pothunting incident, channel. however, only the fill was retrieved from Features The formation of the overflow channel, 1, 3, and 4 (as explained previously in this report). coupled with decades of agricultural disturbance, Fill samples from Features I, 3, and 4 were and more recently by heavy machinery disturbance waterscreened and sorted; all artifacts, bone, shell, associated with attempts to rebuild the dike, have botanical remains, burned clay and charcoal were had a land altering impact on portions of Burton saved for analysis. Unfortunately, no information #1. Several probes were placed in the plowzone was obtained regarding the shape, depth and fill near the overflow channel so that the natural structure of the pits due to damage inflicted by the stratigraphy of the site area could be better pothunters. understood. Based on these tests coupled with field Two burials were identified in the field and observations, we believe that the diffuse soil were excavated by the Oklahoma State staining and artifact scatter in the vicinity of the Archaeologist in 1987. None of the burials burials and Features I and 5, and the better defined excavated by Brooks were given field specimen dark band nearer to the creek, represent one (FS) numbers, although the disturbed and scattered cultural horizon buried beneath almost a meter of human bone fragments in the plow zone were (e.g., flood deposits (Figure 4). Scouring of the soil by FS# 9, II, 12, 13, 29 and 31). Wallis (1987) recent flooding, coupled with the likely removal of initially suspected that Features 1 and 5 were some site overburden for original dike actually the burial pits excavated earlier that construction, especially from the field on the west summer by Brooks, but subsequent discussions side of the channel (Wallis, personal with Brooks (personal communication 1998) and communication 1998), is most likely responsible comparisons among various field notes indicate for exposing the buried cultural horizon. that the two sets of feature types are most likely Subsequent use of heavy equipment to rebuild the mutually exclusive. In other words, because the dike and to disk the fields has "chewed up" the fill of the burial pits were basically sterile (no surface of the site area west of the overflow artifacts, charcoal or animal bone was noted during channel, directly impacting and exposing the excavation) and with little color differentiation features and burials along the shallower bank. The between the fill and surrounding soil matrix, it dark band on the east bank-which may represent seems unlikely that Features 1 and 5 are the burial a vertical exposure of the cultural horizon-has pits. In many Plains Village sites, burials and other been disturbed by flooding but apparently not features are located close together and this is extensively by plowing or dike repair activities. probably the case at Burton # I as well.

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