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Chronology and Stratigraphy at Dust Cave, Alabama

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Sarah C. Sherwood ,
Boyce N. Driskell ,
Asa R. Randall  and
Scott C. Meeks
Sarah C. Sherwood
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720 (scs@utk.edu)
Boyce N. Driskell
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720 (scs@utk.edu)
Asa R. Randall
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7305
Scott C. Meeks
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0720 (scs@utk.edu)
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Abstract

Dust Cave (1Lu496) is a habitation site in a karstic vestibule in the middle Tennessee River Valley of Northern Alabama. The cave, periodically occupied over 7,000 years, contains well-preserved bone and botanical materials and exhibits microstratigraphy and intact occupation surfaces. The chronostratigraphic framework for Dust Cave is based on 43 14C dates, temporally diagnostic artifacts, and detailed geoarchaeological analysis. In a broad sense, five cultural components are defined and designated: Quad/Beaver Lake/Dalton (10,650–9200 cal B.C.), Early Side-Notched (10,000–9000 cal B.C.), Kirk Stemmed (8200–5800 cal B.C.), Eva/Morrow Mountain (6400 to 4000 cal B.C.), and Benton (4500–3600 cal B.C.). Microstratigraphic and artifact analyses indicate that the primary differences in the deposits over time relate to intensity of activity and spatial organization with regard to changing conditions in the cave, not to the types of activities. Geomorphic transformations influenced the timing of occupation at Dust Cave, especially the initial occupation. The chronostratigraphy provides a framework for assessing the stratigraphic separation of Dalton and Early Side-Notched materials, the shift in technology from blades to bifacial tools, and the context of detailed flora and fauna evidence. These remains provide unique insights into forager adaptations in the Midsouth from the end of the Pleistocene through the first half of the Holocene.

Resumen

Resumen

Dust Cave (1LU496) es un sitio de habitación en un vestíbulo kárstico en el valle del río Tennessee del Norte de Alabama. La cueva. periódicamente ocupada durante 7000 años, contiene materiales óseos y botánicos bien conservados, y exhibe microestratigrafia y superficies intactas de ocupación. El marco cronoestratigráfico para Dust Cave se basa en 43 fechas 14C, artefactos temporalmente diagnósticos, y un detallado análisis geoarqueológico. En un sentido amplio, cinco componentes culturales son definidos y designados: Quad/Beaver/Lake Dalton (10,650–9200 cal a.C), Early Side-Notched (10,000–9000 cal a.C), Kirk Stemmed (8200–5800 cal a.C), Eva/Morrow Mountain (6400–4000 cal a.C), y Benton (4500–3600 cal a.C). Análisis microestratigráficos y de artefactos indican que las diferencias primarias en los depósitos con el paso de tiempo se relacionan mas bien a la intensidad de actividad y organización espacial durante cambios de condiciones en la caverna, que a los tipos de actividades. Las transformaciones geomórficas influenciaron las oportunidades para ocupación en Dust Cave, especialmente la ocupación inicial. El análisis cronoestratigráfico provee un marco para evaluar la separación estratigráfica de los materials Dalton y Early Side-Notched, el cambio en tecnología de cuchillas a herramientas bifaciales, y el contexto de la detallado evidencia de la flora y fauna. Estos restos proveen claves únicas acerca de las adaptaciones forrajeras en el Sur, del termino del Pleistoceno al primer periodo del Holoceno.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 69 , Issue 3 , July 2004 , pp. 533 - 554
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2004

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