User:Ajdbuendia/Lamb Site

Introduction
The Lamb Site (11SC24) is located in the central Illinois River Valley (CIRV). Excavations of this site began in the 1990s to attempt to understand the Mississippinization of the area following several generations after the intervention of the Cahokians before Columbus's discovery of America. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D., changes amongst the Native American groups in the Midwest erupted in an attempt to conform to the growing Mississipian lifestyle. These changes were apparent in their cosmology practices and in their maintenance of social, political and economic systems.

Environmental Setting
The Lamb site, located within the CIRV, is primarily composed of oak-hickory forests and prairie lands. The soil in the area is ideal for agriculture and includes the growth many different kinds of fruits as well as maize. The climate of the area can be described as temperate with an average level of rainfall per year.

Excavation Overview
In the 1990s, excavations were done by archaeologists, Glenn and Mary Hanning that yielded several material artifacts as well as ecofacts in 2 separate areas with a total of 33 features. Their excavation was described as a salvage excavation because the site was initially found due to construction by Lafe and Dorothy Lamb, putting it at a high risk for possible destruction of anything that may have been preserved. The 33 features that were presented on the site plan map were excavated, however, the fills that were at the various areas of the site were not screened any further. Besides excavation of the features, archaeologists also found artifacts from the ground surface. Several things were uncovered from the site itself, including material items that served as tools and ceramics as well as botanical and faunal remains.