Paleoethnobotany and Household Archaeology at The
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PALEOETHNOBOTANY AND HOUSEHOLD ARCHAEOLOGY AT THE BERGEN SITE: A MIDDLE HOLOCENE OCCUPATION IN THE FORT ROCK BASIN, OREGON by MARGARET MARY HELZER A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Anthropology and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2001 11 "Paleoethnobotany and Household Archaeology at the Bergen Site: A Middle Holocene Occupation in the Fort Rock Basin, Oregon," a dissertation prepared by Margaret M. Helzer in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Anthropology. This dissertation has been approved and accepted by: Dr. C. Melvin Aikens, Chair of the Examining Committee /J- 2 7- 0 [ Date ! l I Committee in charge: Dr. C. Melvin Aikens, Chair Dr. Theresa O'Neil Dr. Dennis Jenkins Dr. Daniel Close Accepted by: Dean of the Graduate School r lll An Abstract of the Dissertation of Margaret Mary Helzer for the degree of Doctor O'f Philosophy in the Department of Anthropology to be taken December 2001 Title: PALEOETHNOBOTANYAND HOUSEHOLD ARCHAEOLOGY AT THE BERGEN SITE: A MIDDLE HOLOCENE OCCUPATION IN THE FORT ROCK BASIN, OREGON Approved: _____;_ ___________________ Dr. C. Melvin Aikens This study analyzes the botanical and archaeological material from a Middle Holocene occupation at the Bergen site, located in the Fort Rock Basin, Oregon. It serves to complement and enhance over a decade of research focused on regional settlement patterns in the Northern Great Basin. While previous studies in the region have focused on broadly based settlement patterns, this study shifted the interpretive lens toward an in-depth analysis of a single family dwelling, which was occupied some 6000 years ago. It thus introduces the domain of "household archaeology" into the practice of archaeological research in the Northern Great Basin for the first time. Macrobotanical analysis was conducted on 215 soil samples collected on a 50cm IV grid from this house. An additional20 samples were analyzed from a second house structure at the site. These analyses have provided evidence of diet, environment, and social behavior associated with the prehistoric occupants of the house. The abundance of charred bulrush (Scirpus), goosefoot (Chenopodium), and waada (Suaeda) seeds in the deposits indicate that small seeds of wetland-adapted plants were an important dietary resource during the Middle Holocene in the Fort Rock Basin. The patterned distribution of botanical material in 215 soil samples across the floor of the house provide strong evidence of prehistoric human activity areas. The highest concentration of seeds and charcoal in the house was located near the central fire hearth, where cooking and food preparation took place. An east-facing entryway is suggested by the presence of a secondary concentration of seeds and charcoal on the eastern edge of the structure. Analysis also revealed a differential distribution of seed types across the house floor. Higher concentrations of bulrush in the northern area of the floor, away from the hearth, suggest the presence of sleeping mats. Results of this study indicate that plant remains are not evenly distributed through archaeological deposits, therefore care must be taken when sampling for macrobotanical remains. Research at the Bergen site provides the basis for recommendations to assist future archaeologists in determining the best and most cost-effective locations within excavations to take macrobotanical samples. v CURRICILUM VITA NAME OF AUTHOR: Margaret Mary Helzer PLACE OF BIRTH: West Long Branch, New Jersey GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED University of Oregon Pennsylvania State University DEGREES AWARDED: Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology, 2001, University of Oregon Master of Science in Anthropology, 1994, University of Oregon Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, 1990, University of Oregon Associate of Science in Forestry, 1983, Pennsylvania State University AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Great Basin Archaeology Paleoethnobotany PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1999-2001 Field Crew Supervisor, University of Oregon Archaeological Field School, Eugene, 1999-2000 Anthropology Instructor, Department of Social Science, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, 1997-98 Anthropology Instructor, Department of Social Science, Lane Community College, Eugene, 1995-97 vi Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1992-94 Archaeology Field and Laboratory Technician, lnfotec Research, Inc., Eugene, 1991-92 Archaeology Laboratory Supervisor, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1990-91 AWARDS AND HONORS: Summa Cum Laude, University of Oregon, 1990 PhiBemKappa, 1990 Junior Scholar Award, 1990 Culbertson Award for Scholarship, 1989 GRANTS: Bill Johnson Memorial Fund, 2001 Edna English Trust for Archaeological Research, 2000 Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory Grant, 1999 Bergen Research Grant, 1999 PUBLICATIONS: Thomas, Scott, P.O'Grady, D. Braden, M. Helzer, and E. Mueller 2001 A Prehistoric JackRabbit Roasting Site in Southeastern Oregon. In Current Archaeological Happenings in Oregon, Volume25 (4): 17-24. Helzer, Margaret 2000 The Northern Great Basin Prehistory Project: University of Oregon Field Schools, Paleoethnobotanicallnvestigations at the Bergen Site, Fort Rock. In Current Archaeological Happenings in Oregon, Volume 25(3):8-9. Helzer, Margaret, 1998 Archaeological Investigations of Two Sites in the Pleasant Hill Valley. lnAssociation of Oregon Archaeologists Occasional Papers, edited by C. Oetting. pp 55-79. Vll ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to the Klamath Tribe for their interest and participation in this project. The research would not have been possible without the on-going collaboration of tribal representatives, the University of Oregon Archaeological Field School, and William Cannon, District ' Archaeologist witl1 the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview, OR. The generous support of Craig Skinner of Northwest Research Obsidian Laboratories and Dr. Harold Bergen are greatly appreciated. Over the last nine years Dr. C. Melvin Aikens has succeeded in transforming my undergraduate curiosity into the impassioned underpinnings of a career in archaeology. He has served as my advisor for both my master's degree and Ph.D., and it has been an honor and to have studied with him. I am also grateful to Dr. Dennis Jenkins for introducing me to the Bergen site and guiding me through the fieldwork. Dr. Theresa O'Neil has served in equal measure as teacher, role model, and friend. Dr. Daniel Close has been a pillar of optimism and support from the onset of this project. I would also like to thank Patrick O'Grady, Suzann Henrikson, Tony and Leah Largeaspada, Lucille Housely, and Lisa Gorzynski for all their help and support. I am particularly indebted to Dr. Linda Scott Cummings of Paleo Research Institute in Golden, Colorado for her unwavering guidance and mentorship throughout this research. Finally, I am deeply appreciative of my husband, Peter, and my daughter, Alison for their encouragement and patience. Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................... American Archaeology: Refining the Investigative Lens..... 4 Holocene Settlement Patterns: Mobility and Sedentism .. ... 6 Objectives of this Research................................................ 12 II. CURRENT STATUS OF FORT ROCK BASIN RESEARCH .... 15 Overview: Main Trends in the Holocene Occupation of the Fort Rock Basin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Pollen Analysis from Silver Lake Deposits .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Trends in the Holocene History of Plant Use in the Fort Rock Basin.................................................. 27 Archaeobotany................................................................... 28 Archaeological Evidence tor Holocene Settlement Patterns .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 On Adjusting the Investigative Lens: From Inter-Site to Intra-Site Research................................................... 42 Ill. BERGEN SITE EXCAVATIONS AND CULTURAL ASSEMBLAGES .............................................................. .. 44 Formation of the Bergen Lunette Dune .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 Excavations and Excavation Units..................................... 51 Main House Excavation Block............................................ 57 TF-1 Butchering Area Excavtions........ .... .. .......... ....... ... .. .. 66 The 2000 House Excavation Block..................................... 70 Radiocarbon Dating of the Bergen Site.............................. 75 Artifacts from the Bergen Site .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 79 Faunal Remains from the Bergen Site .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..... .. .. .. 102 Settlement and Subsistence at the Bergen Site ...... .'.......... 112 Summary............................... ........................................... 115 lX Chapter Page IV. PALEOETHNOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT THE BERGEN SITE..................................................... 117 Household Archaeology..................................................... 117 Research Methods......................... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 119 Macrobotanical Analysis and Procedures........................... 132 Botanical Remains on Main House Floor