Sherri L. Hilgeman and Mark R. Schurr (Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology,
Indiana University, Bloomington)
RADIOCARBON DATING OF THE ANGEL SITE AND PHASE IN REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Fifteen radiocarbon samples from the Angel site and an additional ten samples
from smaller Angel phase sites have been assayed over a number of years (Figure
l). Collectively, they suggest a temporal span for the phase of about 400
years, from AD 1050 to 1450. As a part of our continuing research interests, we
have been re-evaluating the extant dates for the Angel site and phase as well
as those for Mississippian sites in the Kincaid vicinity in Illinois. The general
result of this resurvey is the realization that, typically, one-third to one-half
of the radiocarbon assays do not appear to accurately date the archaeological
context from which they were recovered. In the case of the Mississippian period
occupations of the lower Ohio Valley, this observation means that the radiocarbon
dates do not fit well with the temporal ranges established for the ceramic chronology,
itself based on valley-wide and regional trends.
The initial radiocarbon dates from the Angel site were among the first samples
run by the University of Michigan laboratory. The intent was to place the site
in time. Three dates (of the six charcoal and mussel shell samples assayed) are
generally accepted; that is, they fall within the expected span of a Mississippian
period site. Two of these acceptable dates (M-5 and M-7) cannot be evaluated further
because the samples were not associated with any artifactual material.
Sample M4 was from Feature 12, a large square pit on the surface of the "primary
mound" of Mound F. The calendrical age of AD 1412 for this specimen is corroborated
by a negative painted, deep-rirmned plate segment from this context--a vessel
form that should date between AD 1300 and 1450. Two additional samples (Beta-39232
and -39233) from Feature 12 were recently assayed to corroborate the M4 date.
One, with a calendrical date of AD 139l, agreed with the Michigan date. The second
sample, which produced an unacceptable date, was poorly preserved and virtually
dissolved during pretreatment. Three additional Mound F assays (DIC-2357, -2358,
and -2359) appear to be from the "subprimary mound," a construction episode of
Mound F which predates the "primary mound." Two radiocarbon dates, with calendrical
ages of AD 1282 and 1304, are reasonable because they are earlier than those from
Feature 12.
Two samples (DIC-1023 and -1024) were from an area of superimposed structures
outside of the interior stockade line. The AD 1418 date, the more reasonable of
the two, is also corroborated by its association with a red-slipped, deep-rimmed
plate. The final two samples from the Angel site, from Feature 9 in 0-13-D (Beta-39234
and -39235), are associated with a buried house floor and midden in Mound I. The
pottery from this context suggested a placement in the AD 1200-1300 range. One
sample, (Beta-39234) with calendrical ages from AD 1264 to 1276, was within the
expected span.
The radiocarbon dates and associated pottery assemblages from three Angel phase
sites help to fill in the earlier part of the estimated temporal range of AD 1050
to 1450. Ten radiocarbon and two thermoluminescence (T-L) dams are available for
the Ellerbusch, StephanSteinkamp, and Southwind sites. Of these, one of the Ellerbusch
dates (DIC-238) and the two TL dates from Stephan-Steinkamp (Alpha-3085 and -3086)
bracket a temporal span from AD 1050 to 1200; these contexts are represented by
Angel phase pottery varieties that, at least thus far, have not been found in
undisturbed contexts at the Angel site itself. This pottery is characterized by
loop and flattened loop handles and a relatively large proportion of cordmarking
on exterior jar surfaces. It characterizes the earlier pan of the Angel phase
and presumably the initial Middle Mississippian occupation of the Angel vicinity.
The AD 1300 (UGa-4715) Southwind date represents roughly the same time period
as the date and material from Feature 9/O-13-D at the Angel site. The pottery
is characterized by flattened loop/strap handles and narrow rimmed plates. Based
on the date from 0-13-D (Mound 1), the Angel site ceremonial precinct centered
around Mound A probably was established by the early to mid1200's.
The final time period, represented by the dates from AD 1300 to 1450, deep-rilnmed
plates, and strap handles, has been well dated at the Angel site and at Stephan-Steinkamp
(Baa22087 and 22088). Given the amount of this kind of pottery and its areal extent
at Angel, the site may well have reached its peak in terms of both absolute size
and population during this time period.
The assessment of agreement between radiocarbon dates and pottery associations
was made with reference to a phase sequence for the Kincaid and the Black Bonom
region in southern Illinois and the lower Tennessee-Cumberland Valleys in western
Kentucky. Mississippian occupation in this region spanned the time period of circa
AD 1000 to AD 14S0, equivalent to that encompassed by the Angel phase. This span
has been divided into three phases. The earliest, the Jonathan Creek phase, has
associated radiocarbon dates from AD 1000 to 1200 from the Dedmon and Tinsley
Hill sites in western Kentucky. The pottery assemblages are similar to that from
Stephan-Steinkamp. The Angelly phase has associated radiocarbon dates from AD
1200 to 1300 or 13S0, and the pottery assemblages are similar to those from Southwind
and 0-13-D at Angel. The latest, the Tinsley Hill phase, has associated radiocarbon
dates from AD 1300 to 1450. The diagnostic pottery assemblage is similar to part
of the Stephan-Steinkamp assemblage and to the bulk of the materials from the
Angel site. [return to 1990 abstracts menu][continue to next]