University of Nevada, Reno Fine-Grained Volcanic Toolstone Sources and Early Use in the Bonneville Basin of Western Utah and Eastern Nevada A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology by David Page Dr. Gary Haynes, Thesis Advisor May 2008 © David Page, 2008 All Rights Reserved THE GRADUATE SCHOOL We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by DAVID J. PAGE Entitled Fine-Grained Volcanic Toolstone Sources and Early Use in the Bonneville Basin of Western Utah and Eastern Nevada be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS _____________________________________________________________ Gary Haynes, Ph.D., Advisor _____________________________________________________________ David E. Rhode, Ph.D., Committee Member _____________________________________________________________ Kenneth D. Adams, Ph.D., Graduate School Representative _____________________________________________________________ Marsha H. Read, Ph. D., Associate Dean, Graduate School May, 2008 i Abstract Identifying lithic sources is central to understanding toolstone use by prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups. The distribution of archaeological materials in relation to geologic sources creates a spatial pattern of use that varies through time. These patterns of distribution in conjunction with analysis of technological organization can be used to infer behavior, especially levels of mobility. This thesis presents geochemical data from a wide-scale sourcing study in the Bonneville basin of western Utah and eastern Nevada. Results of this investigation are presented, including discussion of newly identified geologic source groups and further characterization of previously identified sources, outcome of X-ray fluorescence analysis on approximately 600 fine-grained volcanic (FGV) artifacts from a host of open sites in the Old River Bed delta and from caves/rockshelters including Danger Cave, Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, and Camels Back Cave, and a brief look at how the inhabitants of this region varied FGV-toolstone use through time. ii Acknowledgements Many deserve my thanks. Diet Coke kept me well hydrated in the desert with a little sound of freedom in every can. Dave Rhode kept me employed for many years and motivated when I didn’t think this ride would ever end. Craig Skinner at Northwest Research Obsidian Studies Laboratory extended the “student rate” to yet another begging UNR grad student and also analyzed all of my geologic samples at no cost; all of this with a rapid, if not superhuman turnaround. The Lander Trust provided funding to make this whole thing possible. Rachel Quist at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground also provided support, kept me busy with survey projects, and allowed access to extensive archaeological collections. The Utah Museum of Natural History allowed me to source materials from Danger Cave and gave me a free ride in the oldest elevator in Salt Lake. Ted Goebel and the Sundance Archaeological Research Fund provided funding and allowed me to source materials from Bonneville Estates. Daron Duke shared sourcing data and a couple of long truck rides across Nevada, as well as some unsolicited golf advice along the way. My committee, Gary, Dave, and Ken, also put up with a lot and deserve many thanks. Last, but not least, I’m grateful to have a wife who is also my best friend, giving me reason to strive for more. To all I have forgotten, keep on, keeping on. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................................ii LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Research Background................................................................................................... 2 1.11 Toolstone Sourcing........................................................................................ 2 1.12 Lithic Conveyance Zones .............................................................................. 4 1.13 Regional Paleoindian Studies...................................................................... 10 1.2 Research Objectives.................................................................................................... 12 1.3 Structure of the Thesis ................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 2: CONTEXT.............................................................................................................. 15 2.1 Bonneville Basin Geologic Context............................................................................ 16 2.11 Eastern Great Basin Geology and Volcanism.............................................. 18 2.12 Pleistocene Lake Bonneville and Old River Bed Delta ............................... 22 2.2 Early Bonneville Basin Cultural Context.................................................................... 29 2.21 Select Surface Assemblages ........................................................................ 34 2.211 Old River Bed Delta/Wetland Sites ............................................. 35 2.22 Select Rockshelter/Cave Assemblages ........................................................ 38 2.221 Bonneville Estates Rockshelter.................................................... 38 2.222 Danger Cave................................................................................. 41 2.223 Camels Back Cave........................................................................ 44 2.3 Summary..................................................................................................................... 46 iv CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS OF INVESTIGATION...................................... 48 3.1 Fieldwork and Geologic Sampling ............................................................................. 48 3.2 Sampling Previous Archaeological Collections.......................................................... 51 3.3 XRF Major and Trace Element Analysis.................................................................... 60 3.4 GIS and Spatial Analysis ............................................................................................ 61 3.5 Summary..................................................................................................................... 64 CHAPTER 4: SOURCING RESULTS ......................................................................................... 65 4.1 Geologic Sources of FGV Toolstone.......................................................................... 65 4.11 Eastern Bonneville Basin Sources ............................................................... 66 4.111 Flat Hills Variants......................................................................... 69 4.112 Cedar Mountains Variants ............................................................ 73 4.12 Western Bonneville Basin Sources.............................................................. 79 4.121 Deep Creek Variants..................................................................... 79 4.122 Badlands Variants......................................................................... 84 4.123 Currie Hills Variants..................................................................... 87 4.2 Other FGV Sources.................................................................................................... 88 4.3 Cultural Use of FGV Toolstone.................................................................................. 94 4.31 Surface Assemblages ................................................................................... 95 4.311 Old River Bed Delta Assemblage; Dugway Proving Ground....... 95 4.312 DPG Archaic Assemblage............................................................ 98 4.313 Distal Old River Bed Delta Assemblage; Utah Test and Training Range................................................................ 99 4.32 Rockshelter/Cave Assemblages................................................................. 101 4.321 Bonneville Estates Rockshelter.................................................. 102 4.322 Danger Cave............................................................................... 104 v 4.323 Camels Back Cave...................................................................... 105 4.33 Unknown Sources of FGV......................................................................... 108 4.4 Summary................................................................................................................... 112 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION OF FGV SOURCE USE .............................................................. 113 5.1 Use in Surface Assemblages..................................................................................... 116 5.11 Old River Bed Delta Assemblage; Dugway Proving Ground.................... 116 5.12 Distal Old River Bed Delta Assemblage; Utah Test and Training Range ................................................................... 118 5.13 Archaic Materials;