Archaeological survey and evaluation of sites 38HR475 and 38HR476 recovered diagnostic artifacts, abundant organic remains, and intact cultural features. Specific research topics used to guide subsequent data recovery investigations at these two sites include:
Accurate Dating of the Middle Woodland Hanover Phase
Using shell and/or charcoal from sealed contexts (features and middens) we will attempt to determine the period of deposition for the middens. The artifacts and middens may have accumulated over hundreds of years, or they may have been deposited in a relatively brief span.
Middle Woodland Subsistence Strategies
Preserved organic material (shell, bone, charred plants, and pollen) will be identified and analyzed to evaluate Middle Woodland subsistence. This includes seasonality studies to determine if the archaeological remains are from brief seasonal forays or longer term occupations. Also, the same plan and animal remains can be used to reconstruct aspects of the local environment.Hanover Ceramic and Fabric Technology
Hanover Fabric Impressed pottery is common at 38HR475 and 38HR476 and offers two main research avenues. First, the pottery will be used to elaborate on ceramic technology (vessel shapes and forms, production techniques).Second, the pottery will be examined to elaborate on perishable items not actually found in the Hanover artifact assemblage: textiles. No textile analysis has been conducted on Hanover Fabric Impressed pottery in South Carolina, so we expect to the analysis of fabric impressed pottery to yield surprising information about this element of Hanover material culture.
Intra-site Variability: Discrete Activity Loci
Shell middens are the most obvious features of these sites. However, the distribution of middens, bone, pottery, lithic artifacts, plant remains, and other cultural features will help identify various activity areas (living area, stone tool workshop, food preparation area, etc).
