Ruby, Bret J., Janis K. Kearney (Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology,
Indiana University, Bloomington), and William R. Adams (Department of Anthropology,
Indiana University, Bloomington).
FAUNAL REMAINS FROM THE GRABERT SITE (12 PO 248): A MIDDLE
WOODLAND OCCUPATION IN POSEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
The Grabert site is a small Middle Woodland habitation site and associated mound
located in Posey County, near the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio rivers in
extreme southwestern Indiana. During the summers of 1989 and 1990, the Indiana
Historical Society, Indiana University, and the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology
provided support for intensive controlled surface collection, magnetometry, and
limited test excavations at the Grabert site.
Analysis of the surface distribution of cultural materials within a grid of five
by five meter squares documented the presence of three discrete concentrations
of debris within the overall site area. Magnetic surveys conducted in the central
site area revealed magnetic anomalies both within and outside of the central debris
concentration. Block excavations conducted within the central concentration of
surface debris identified several partial and overlapping arcs of postholes describing
oval or circular structures. Two shallow basin-shaped and refuse-filled pits and
two small bathtub-shaped roasting pits or earth ovens were identified to the north
and east of the structural postholes. One of each of these feature types corresponded
with magnetic anomalies. Test excavations of magnetic anomalies outside of the
surface debris concentrations confirmed the presence of prehistoric features which
had not been disturbed by plowing and were therefore not reflected in the surface
distribution of cultural materials.
Diagnostic ceramic artifacts include thin-walled grog, limestone, and grit tempered
ceramics. Most commonly these are cordmarked jars having smoothed-over rims and
notched lips. Complicated stamped, rocker stamped, and zoned incised decorations
occur infrequently. The lithic assemblage is dominated by lamellar blades and
includes Lowe Flared Base projectile points. These artifacts are most similar
to materials recovered from the Mann site (12 Po 2, located approximately 2 km
south of the Grabert site), and can be readily differentiated from earlier Hopewellian
manifestations of the Crab Orchard tradition (Kellar, J.H., "The Mann site and
Hopewell in the Lower Wabash-Ohio Valley", in Hopewell Archaeology, edited by
David S. Brose and N'omi Greber, pp. 100-107, Kent State University Press, Kent,
Ohio, 1979).
Two samples of wood charcoal derived from feature contexts produced uncorrected
radiocarbon ages of 1780 +/- 60 years: A.D. 170 (Beta-38550), and 1810 +/- 60
years: A.D. 140 (Beta-38551).
In 1991, an analysis was undertaken of faunal remains recovered by dry screening
pit feature and posthole fill through one-quarter inch wire mesh. The goals of
the analysis included the documentation of patterns of environmental exploitation
and an assessment of the nature and duration of the occupation.
The faunal sample included 1120 specimens weighing 675 g. The vast majority of
the vertebrate sample was fragmentary and burned, and only about 10 percent could
be identified to the genus level. Only two invertebrate specimens were present
(both unidentifiable mussel shells); one of which had been drilled for suspension
or hafting.
Mammals constitute almost 90 percent of the sample identified to the genus level.
Whitetail deer represents 49 percent of the mammals, and another 36 percent is
represented by small forest or forest-edge species such as raccoon, oppossum,
squirrel and rabbit. Reptiles, primarily represented by terrestrial turtles, comprise
the second most numerous class in the sample. Birds and fish are rare in the sample.
This sample composition implies a pattern of environmental exploitation characterized
by a focus on a narrow range of terrestrial mammal species, despite the ready
availability of Ohio River and backwater slough resources. The high frequency
of terrestrial turtles and the low incidence of migratory waterfowl implies an
occupation restricted to the warm season.
Comparative data from other Middle Woodland sites in Indiana is lacking. However,
comparison with well-analyzed and contemporary Middle Woodland faunal assemblages
from similar environmental settings in the lower Illinois River valley suggests
that the Grabert site assemblage, with its low species diversity and focus on
a narrow range of terrestrial mammals, compares most favorably with short-term,
specialized occupations rather than long-term base camp occupations. [return to 1991 abstracts menu][continue to next]