Geophysical Investigation of an Early Late Woodland Community in the Middle Ohio River Valley: The Water Plant Site Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Karen L. Royce, M.A. Graduate Program in Anthropology The Ohio State University 2011 Dissertation Committee: Dr. William S. Dancey, Advisor Dr. Kristen J. Gremillion Dr. Ralph von Frese Copyright by Karen L. Royce 2011 Abstract Geophysical surveys using fluxgate gradiometer and magnetic susceptibility instruments were conducted at the early Late Woodland Water Plant site to investigate the community patterning within the site. The site was first investigated through archaeological survey and excavation under the direction of Dr. William S. Dancey approximately thirty years ago. The Water Plant site is located in Franklin County, Ohio within the Middle Ohio River Valley region. The re-examination of this site using different investigative techniques has yielded additional, illuminating information. As a result of the fluxgate gradiometer survey, the outer prehistoric ditch at the site was mapped in its entirety and defines the community area of the site. An inner prehistoric ditch and palisade were also mapped during the fluxgate gradiometer survey and additionally, sections of post screens were detected at gaps in the outer prehistoric ditch at the site. The magnetic susceptibility survey data indicate that the site area within the ditches had a high frequency of human use. Based on all these data, the site does appear to be definitively defensive in nature based on the two sets of earthen ditches and wooden palisade features encompassing roughly an 8-acre area and may be one of the earliest occurrences of a fortified community in the Middle Ohio River Valley. The presence of the inner prehistoric ditch and palisade were confirmed through excavation. Artifacts such as projectile points and ceramics commonly associated with ii early Late Woodland sites were collected and identified. Charred paleoethnobotanical remains of both wild and domesticated species were also identified and radiocarbon dating of these materials also confirms an early Late Woodland time frame for the occupation of the Water Plant site. iii Dedication Dedicated To Mom, Dad and Rob iv Acknowledgments I could not have undertaken this journey without the support and encouragement of so many people, thank you all so much. First and foremost, I want to thank my advisor, Dr. William S. Dancey for encouraging me to reinvestigate this very special archaeological site in a new way. The Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University made my work possible through the use of geophysical equipment and support through Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships and Lectureships. Dr. Kristen Gremillion generously supported me as a Research Assistant on one of her NSF grants for two years; I learned so much under her guidance. The land owners, The City of Columbus, Water Division, specifically, the Parsons Avenue Treatment Plant under the direction of Bill Eitel, were wonderful to work with and I thank them for allowing me access to the site. Frank Peters who farms the site was great in accommodating his schedule during my data collection. To my Ph.D. Committee members, Dr. William S. Dancey, Dr. Kristen Gremillion, and Dr. Ralph von Frese, thank you for all your guidance and patience in seeing me through this process. Thank you to Drs. Albert Peccora and Jarrod Burks and the staff of Ohio Valley Archaeological Consultants (OVAC) who conducted the feature excavations at the site. Dr. Jarrod Burks additionally volunteered many hours of his time and expertise in the v topographic survey, a portion of the gradiometer survey, the anomaly probing, magnetic susceptibility survey and sample analysis and I have relied on his great advice, friendship, and encouragement as well. Dr. Steve Howard conducted the paleoethnobotanical analysis and Ms. Anne Lee conducted the faunal analysis. Dr. Kristen Gremillion identified the charcoal samples submitted for radiocarbon analysis. All these analyses were important aspects of the project; thank you all. There are so many friends, co-workers and peers that I have not mentioned in name, just know that I am forever grateful for your counsel and encouragement throughout this endeavor. When I began my graduate work, I really did not know what direction it would take I just am so fortunate that it has ended up being so much more rewarding than I could image. My brother, Dr. Richard A. Royce, put up with me through my Masters Degree and this degree; he is the best brother anyone could ever have. I cannot thank him enough for all his advice, encouragement, and support over the years. He was particularly kind in not ever asking me if I was finished yet. Thank you to my parents, Nina and Dick Royce who always placed a high priority on education and supported my brothers and me in attaining our goals. I wish Dad were here to see me receive my Ph.D. hood from his alma mater, The Ohio State University. vi Vita 1978…………………………………………………………………...Dublin High School 1984……………………………………………………...B.S. Geology, Purdue University 2000…………………………………………...M.A. Anthropology, Ohio State University 2000-2002………………….Graduate Research Associate, Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University 2000-2004……………..…..Graduate Research Associate, Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University 2005-2007………………………………….……Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University Publications DeMartinis, J.M. and K.L. Royce. 1990 Identification of Direct-Entry Pathways by Which Agricultural Chemicals Enter Ground Water. Proceedings of the 1990 Cluster of Conferences. Water Well Journal Publishing Co. Dublin, Ohio. Royce, K.L. 1991 Selection of Well Construction Material. Water Well Journal August 1991. Fields of Study Major Field: Anthropology North America Eastern Woodland Prehistory Early Late Woodland Time Period Geophysical Investigations vii Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………...…ii Dedication..……………………………………………………………………………….iv Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………….…......v Vita…………….……………………………………………………………………..….vii List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………..xi List of Figures…………………………………………………………………...…...…..xii Chapter 1. Introduction………………………………………………………………..1 Discovery of the Late Woodland Time Period……………………………………1 Dissertation Research…………………………………………………………...…6 Chapter 2. Characterization and History of the Early Late Woodland in the Middle Ohio River Valley………………………………………………………………..11 Sand Ridge Site (33HA17)……………………………………………………....18 Turpin Farm Site (33HA19)……………………………………………………...21 W.S. Cole Site (33DE11)………………………………………………………...25 Lichliter Village Site (33MY23)…………………………………………………26 Merion Village/Zencor/SciotoTrails School Site (33FR8)………………………28 Leonard Haag Site (12D19)……………………………………………………...30 Childers Site (46MS121)………………………………………………………...32 Pyles Site (15MS28)……………………………………………………………..35 Bentley Site (15GP15)………………………………………………………...…37 Water Plant Site (33FR155)……………………………………………………...38 Hansen Site (15GP14)……………………………………………………………41 Rogers Site Complex (15BE33, 15BE34, 15BE35)……………………………..43 Parkline Site (46PU99)…………………………………………………………..46 Shared Characteristics……………………………………………………………48 Chapter 3. Physical Setting at the Water Plant Site………………………………….54 Physiographic Characteristics……………………………………………………54 Geology…………………………………………………………………………..55 Soils……..……………………………………………………………………….57 Hydrology………………………………………………………………………..57 Climate…...………………………………………………………………………59 Vegetation………………………………………………………………………..60 viii Fauna………..……………………………………………………………………62 Chapter 4. Past Investigations at the Water Plant Site……………………………....63 Chapter 5. Current Site Work and Methodologies…….………………………….…71 Research Plan…………………………………………………………………….71 Site Characterization……………………………………………………..73 Fluxgate Gradiometer (Magnetic) Survey…….…………………………74 Magnetic Susceptibility (Second Geophysical) Survey……………....…74 Coring, Excavation and Sample Collection……………………………...75 Field Methods……………………………………………………………………76 Site Grid………………………………………………………………….77 GPS Survey………………………………………………………………78 Topographic Survey……………………………………………………...79 Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey…………………………………………....80 Anomaly Probing………………………………………………………...86 Anomaly Excavations……………………………………………………86 Magnetic Susceptibility Survey………………………………………….88 Laboratory Methods……………………………………………………………..91 Site Grid………………………………………………………………….91 GPS Survey………………………………………………………………92 Topographic Survey……………………………………………………...92 Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey……………………………………………93 Anomaly Probing………………………………………………………...95 Excavation of Anomaly Locations……….……………………………...97 Magnetic Susceptibility………………………………………………….99 Flotation and Botanical Remains Collection…………………………...100 Faunal Remains Identification………………………………………….102 Ceramics……………………………………………………………..…102 Lithics…………………………………………………………………..103 Chapter 6. Current Site Work Findings…………………………………………….105 Site Grid………………………………………………………………………...105 GPS Survey……………………………………………………………………..106 Topographic Survey…………………………………………………………….107 Fluxgate Gradiometer Survey…………………………………………………..108 Anomaly Probing……………………………………………………………….112 Anomaly Locations Excavations ………..……………………………………..114 Anomaly 116……………………………………………………………115 Anomaly 81 (pit)……………………………………………………..…117 Anomaly 20……………………………………………………………..119 Anomaly 34……………………………………………………………..121 Anomaly 110……………………………………………………………124