Field Notes

CONSERVANCY FieldNotes

La Gila Encantada Research Continues

SOUTHWEST—Last July, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, archaeologists Barbara Roth, Robert Hickson, Jodi Dalton, and their crew conducted a magnetometer survey and excavated a couple of pithouses and one extramural hearth at La Gila Encantada, a Three Circle-phase pithouse village near Silver City, New Mexico. The magnetometer study identified a cluster of structures at the north and south ends of the site and a large depression in the middle, a layout found at other sites along the nearby Mimbres River.

The pithouses were large, deep, and well constructed, with plastered hearths and floors, and large central posts. This type of construction indicates a sedentary occupation. However, a large internal storage pit, the kind indicative of seasonal rather than year-round occupation of the site, was located inside one of the features. Artifacts recovered from the site also indicated that groups might have been living there during the winter, rather than year-round.

Numerous plant-processing tools like choppers were recovered from the site, as were a few manos and metates. The remainder of the tools consisted of well-made projectile points of obsidian and chert and unifaces made from rhyolite. The ceramics include decorated and brown ware similar in style and form to those found at other Three Circle sites.

The biggest difference between La Gila Encantada and the sites along the Mimbres River appears to be that groups at La Gila Encantada did not live at the site permanently, but instead moved around more than was previously thought. More research is planned for next summer to address more questions about habitation patterns and trade relationships between upland and riverside communities.

Researchers work at La Gila Encantada.They excavated a few large,well-constructed pithouses with plastered hearths and floors.The recovered artifacts include projectile points and plant-processing tools.

Conservancy Adds to Old Fort Earthworks Preserve

MIDWEST—In November 2004 the Conservancy made an emergency POINT acquisition of a small parcel of land on the eastern wall of the Old Fort Earthworks in South Shore, Kentucky, across the river from Portsmouth, Ohio. The Portsmouth area, at the confluence of the Scioto and Ohio rivers, was a center of ceremonial activity during the Hopewell period, circa 100 B.C.to A.D. 400.

A complicated and sprawling complex of earthworks and mounds, documented as early as the 1790s, was located here. Squier and Davis mapped the Portsmouth complex during their seminal study of prehistoric earthworks in the 1840s, and the University of Kentucky conducted a small excavation there in

1939. The Old Fort Earthworks survives today as four earthen walls about eight feet high enclosing an area of about 13 acres. Two additional walls extend at right angles from the western wall forming a causeway. The complementary causeway on the eastern side is no longer visible. Residential sprawl has been a persistent threat to the earthworks. The eastern and southern walls were divided into lots beginning in the 1960s, and today they are mostly overlain with a collection of modest houses and aging trailers. The Conservancy learned that a lot with a mobile home was going to be sold to a neighbor. The neighbor intended to build a swimming pool on the lot that would destroy significant archaeological deposits. The Conservancy immediately began negotiations with the lot owner, and took title to the lot and a 20-year-old mobile home. The mobile home will be sold and removed and the lot will be stabilized with a ground cover. This acquisition is the fourth of about 16 parcels the Conservancy hopes to acquire to finalize the Old Fort Earthworks Archaeological Preserve.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Q Ranch Archaeology Field Project May 12 – July 31 near Young,Arizona.The Q Ranch Pueblo is a 250-room,3-story pueblo dating from A.D.1265 to 1380.A smaller pueblo of approximately 60 rooms and other prehistoric and historic sites are situated within the study area.Q Ranch represents one of the largest and most important prehistoric sites in the region.The Arizona Archaeological Societyhas been conducting fieldwork at the site since 1989.The 2005 season will focus on completion,backfilling,and stabilization of incomplete excavations in Pueblo I,and the continuation of a detailed architectural study of the entire Pueblo I complex.Excavations will continue at Pueblo II,in order to understand the relationship between the two pueblo units. Historical archaeological projects to be conducted this year include establishing the location of the original ranch-house,and documenting the structural changes and growth of the historic ranch.Contact Brenda Poulos at (623) 465-9038, brendapoulos@yahoo.com

Investigating Late Prehistoric Farmers in the lower Upper Ohio River Valley May 17 – June 17,Pennsylvania.The California University of Pennsylvania field school will be held at the Hughes H.Jones site,a prehistorichabitation site dated to the 12th and early 13th centuries A.D.On the basis of nine field seasons,substantial settlement and subsistence data in the form of dwelling outlines,over 100 pit features,and extensive faunal and floral remains have been obtained.Students in this year’s final field school will continue delineation of the settlement plan,which resembles that of the preceding Late Woodland Period pattern of scattered sets of households,each having its own set of features and burials.The excavations will afford archaeologists the opportunity to study the changes in the social and economic strategies and tactics surrounding the transition to a diet emphasizing a greater reliance on maize and other cultigens.Contact John P.Nass,Jr.at (724) 938-5726,nass@cup.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University-Shirley Plantation Archaeological Field School May 23 – June 24,Virginia. This summer’s excavations are part of long-term archaeological research at Shirley Plantation and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Center.The research at these two adjacent properties seeks to identify and comment upon the role of the James River in the development of historic settlements from 1607 until the time of the Civil War,seeking responses to a range of issues,including: the spread of European settlements and goods up the James River from Jamestown to the fall line; the effect of the movement of Europeans,and their goods and ideas,on James River Indian populations; land use histories and settlements patterns of historic James River properties; architectural, landscape,and style characteristics of James River settlements; and the role of the James in Civil War military and domestic strategy. Contact Amber Bennett at (804) 827-1111, abennett@vcu.edu Late Archaic Bison Kill at the Certain Site June 1 – June 30,western Oklahoma. Excavation continues at the 2,000- year-old Certain bison kill site.The goal is to further probe the many kill and processing areas as well as expand into a possible cliff jump locality.Students will learn bonebed excavation techniques,soils and stratigraphy,and Paleo-Indian archaeology.Field trips to nearby archaeological sites will provide comparative information for discussions.The site is on a beautiful western Oklahoma dude ranch with horseback riding and all the fun of the Old West.Contact Leland Bement at (405) 325-7215 or (405) 325-7604, Lbement@ou.edu

Guinea Community Archaeological Project July 5 – July 29,New York.Guinea was home to African Americans who worked for the elite “river families”along the Hudson River,one mile away.Guinea’s inhabitants had small farms along a nearby mill stream.The fifth season at Guinea will continue excavation of the home and yard of Primus and Elizabeth Martin,who were the leaders of this community.Students will learn basic excavation techniques and artifact identification.We will hold a workshop on interpretation of animal bone and teeth.Landscape use is a key issue. Contact Christopher Lindner at (845) 7587299 or (845) 758-7628,lindner@bard.edu

To learn more about field schools and volunteer opportunities,you can view postings on the Web at www.archaeological.org by clicking on the “fieldwork”link.You can also order the Archaeological Institute of America’s Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin by calling (800) 791-9354.