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Site formation processes in the cody and early plains archaic levels at the laddie creek site, wyoming
Author(s) -
Larson Mary Lou
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/gea.3340070203
Subject(s) - phytolith , palynology , colluvium , archaeology , holocene , geology , horizon , paleontology , geography , pollen , ecology , alluvium , physics , astronomy , biology
The combination of previously published pedological and phytolith analyses with new information on the geology, palynology, and an innovative analysis of archaeological chipped stone remains (including backplots, cluster analyses of artifacts, and chipped stone refitting) clarifies the environment and site formation of the mid‐Holocene deposits at the Laddie Creek site, Wyoming. Palynological analyses strengthen the argument made by Reider and Karlstrom (1987) that the site was slightly wetter and warmer during the Altithermal (7500–5000 B.P.). The mid‐Holocene environment at the site was conductive to the formation of soils and the preservation of archaeological deposits. A Cody Complex level associated with a colluvial C horizon provides evidence of greater movement of this material than that seen in the multiple Early Plains Archaic occupations associated with four A‐horizons. The cultural levels identified in laboratory analyses are palimspsests deposited during multiple occupations.