User:Cshamerzian/Janey B. Goode Site

= Janey B. Goode Site =

Site Description
The site is located 3 km north of East St. Louis site and 8 km to the west of Cahokia. It is 1.5 km east of the Mississippi River. It is on a sandy landform. The site is believed to have held water in prehistoric times. It is within a rail yard and until recently, shop facilities were on the south part of the area. The site is divided into five distinct areas labeled A-D and the Roundhouse Area.

Excavation History
Investigation in this area began in 1998 when a survey was done. Then, four years later, more testing was conducted and the archaeologists found that the area was bigger than they had thought to be. A mitigation was done in the same year and every year until 2007. The archaeologists had to remove the historic fill overburden and then a grid with coordinates was placed over the site to remove the topsoil more precisely. Then, the crew moved onto hand excavations. By the time this process accumulated in fall of 2007, almost 7,000 features had been excavated from the site. There could possibly be a future mitigation of the area.

Faunal, Botanical, and Geoarchaeological Research
Due to the fact that the site is close to the Mississippi River and therefore close to waterways, there have been many features that are not from that region. Materials from other places were imported to this area around A.D 900 all the way until the Mississippian Period. A row of shark teeth was found and studied, but researchers found out that the teeth were not used to make anything as they were in good condition. Marine shells were also found here. They had holes that were pecked through them which researchers think was used to put the shells together and be able to transport them. According to the researchers, these shells were used to make things such as cups, pendants, masks, among other things.

Significance
Although studied for years, the Janey B. Goode site still has hidden secrets. Its location gives researchers many insights into previous civilizations and the rich history in the area. The findings in the area is going to move the research to culture changes in the area in prehistoric times. More research will expand people’s view of the site.

Galloy, Joseph M. The Janey B. Goode Site (11S1232): Highlights of Investigations at a Massive Late Prehistoric Site in the American Bottom.

file:///Users/cynthiashamerzian/Downloads/The_Janey_B._Goode_Site_11S1232_Highligh.pdf.