University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2020 SECRETS OF SOIL: A GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE EARLY LIVING FLOORS OF HOUSEPIT 54, BRIDGE RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA Nathaniel Louis Perhay The University Of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Perhay, Nathaniel Louis, "SECRETS OF SOIL: A GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE EARLY LIVING FLOORS OF HOUSEPIT 54, BRIDGE RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA" (2020). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11540. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11540 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SECRETS OF SOIL: A GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE EARLY LIVING FLOORS OF HOUSEPIT 54, BRIDGE RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA By NATHANIEL LOUIS PERHAY Bachelors of Art, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 2015 Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology, Archaeology The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2020 Approved by: Ashby Kinch, Associate Graduate School Dean Dr. Anna Marie Prentiss, Chair Department of Anthropology Dr. John Douglas Department of Anthropology Dr. Nancy W. Hinman Department of Geosciences © COPYRIGHT by Nathaniel Louis Perhay 2020 All Rights Reserved Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Anna Marie Prentiss for giving me the opportunity to be a part of and work on the Bridge River Village Project. She has lent her support and wisdom to me through most of my college career. I want to also thank the Bridge River Band for all of your support, participation and compassion for this project. I would like to thank Nathan Goodale, Bruce Wegter, David Bailey, and Richard Conrey and everyone else from Hamilton College. I would also like to thank my thesis committee, Professor John Douglas and Professor Nancy Hinman. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends. i | P e r h a y Secrets of Soil: A Geochemical Investigation and Spatial Analysis of the Earliest Living Floors of Housepit 54, Bridge River, British Columbia Abstract Perhay, Nathaniel, May 2020, Anthropology Secrets of Soil: A Geochemical Investigation and Spatial Analysis of the Earliest Living Floors of Housepit 54, Bridge River, British Columbia Chairperson: Dr. Anna Marie Prentiss This is an exploratory study to assess the ability of using geochemical sampling to give insight into the subsistence behavior of the inhabitants of Housepit 54 and a look at the spatial organization of activity areas on floors IId, IIe, and IIf. The geochemical make-up of soils can give great insights into former actives that have disturbed or occurred in or around the soil. Anthropogenic soils are formed through the complex interplay between humans and natural factors. This geochemical study will use chemical signatures to tease out the daily activities that were performed by the inhabitants of Housepit 54. A geochemical investigation of the early floors of Housepit 54 provides insight into the daily activities of household occupants. Excavations of Housepit 54 revealed 17 superimposed floors and roofs. The earliest dating floors were excavated in 2016 with sediment samples systematically collected across each floor level. 65 (n=65) samples associated with floors IId, IIe, and IIf were collected and analyzed for this study. This study utilized an Environmental Analyzer/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA IRMS) for carbon and nitrogen ratios and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) for calcium and phosphorus ratios to provide reliable compositional data on the floor sediments. With the use of the gathered data and geospatial tools, we are able to reconstruct variation in the organization of activities across floors that may or may not be reflected in distributions of artifacts and subsistence remains. Implications for understanding household activity areas and recommendations for future research of this nature are offered. ii | P e r h a y Secrets of Soil: A Geochemical Investigation and Spatial Analysis of the Earliest Living Floors of Housepit 54, Bridge River, British Columbia Table of Contents Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................... i Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vi Chapter 1: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................1 Research Goals........................................................................................................................3 Significance of Research .........................................................................................................4 Thesis Outline .........................................................................................................................5 Chapter 2: Cultural Context .........................................................................................................5 Regional Background ..............................................................................................................5 What is a Pithouse? ............................................................................................................... 13 Cultural Chronology of the Area ........................................................................................... 20 Shuswap Horizon (3,500 – 2,400 B.P.) .............................................................................. 21 Plateau Horizon (2,400 – 1,200 B.P.) ................................................................................. 22 Kamloops Horizon (1,200 – 200 B.P.) ............................................................................... 24 The Bridge River Village Project and Site ............................................................................. 25 Bridge River 1-3 ................................................................................................................ 26 Housepit 54 ....................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................ 33 Field Methods ....................................................................................................................... 33 Soil Samples ...................................................................................................................... 34 Laboratory Methods .............................................................................................................. 36 Elemental Analyzer/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA/IRMS) .................................... 36 EA IRMS Analysis Sample Procedure ............................................................................... 37 X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) .......................................................................................... 39 Data Presentation ............................................................................................................... 40 Hypothesis and Expectations ................................................... 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Chapter 4: Results and Discussion ............................................................................................. 45 iii | P e r h a y Secrets of Soil: A Geochemical Investigation and Spatial Analysis of the Earliest Living Floors of Housepit 54, Bridge River, British Columbia Results .................................................................................................................................. 45 Floor IId ............................................................................................................................ 45 Faunal Remains (Fish and Mammal).............................................................................. 45 Elemental Analyzer Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA IRMS) ................................ 46 Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) ........................................................ 46 Floor IIe ............................................................................................................................ 53 Faunal Remains (Fish and Mammal).............................................................................