User:Memphisarchaeology

2008 Archaeological Field School

Tentatively Scheduled for May 12th -30th 2008

Contact Andrew M. Mickelson, Ph.D.

 AMES MOUND COMPLEX SITE RESEARCH RESULTS AND FUTURE GOALS

Systematic archaeological investigation of the Ames Mound Complex began in the summer of 2007 in cooperation with Rhodes College. The 2008 field season will immediately pickup where we left-off last year. Our first season ended with several accomplishments and tantalizing peeks into what the 2008 season may hold for us. We completed a baseline topographic survey of the mound complex, conducted a limited controlled surface site survey, and we finished the first stage of excavation of Mound D.

Excavations at Mound D revealed several episodes of mound fill capping an intentionally burned structure constructed on top of a prepared (fired) clay floor. Mound D excavations will continue in 2008. The primary goals are to complete a stratigraphic profile of Mound D to better understand the mound’s construction sequences and its past function. A 1,000+ year old burned log from Feature 10, Mound D. The log is resting on top of a burned clay prepared surface 2.2 meters below the top of the mound.

In the 1970s, looters severely impacted portions of Mound D. Our present excavations are oriented towards cleaning damaged portions of the mound, obtaining as much information as possible, then restoring the site to its original form. We know from the looter’s trench that at leas one additional prepared clay floor lies below the one uncovered in 2007. In 2008, we plan on continuing excavation of the mound until we reach the original ground surface.

Our primary goals, beyond research at the Mound Complex are to better understand temporal changes in prehistoric settlement patterns, diet, and household structure. Our research will require substantial archaeological survey and excavation across 18,000+ acres at Ames.

We plan on continuing with controlled archaeological surface collections of artifacts that we started in 2007. Artifacts exposed on the surface of plowed fields are mapped with a sub-meter accuracy GPS unit. Computerized maps of artifact distributions are then produced immediately in the field enabling us to immediately identify areas for future research.

In addition to surface artifact surveys, we will be conducting a geophysical survey utilizing a Geometrics 858 Cesium Gas Magnetometer. The magnetometer measures subtle changes in the magnetic orientation of materials in sediments. Previous use of magnetometers in archaeological applications has demonstrated that they are capable of finding significant buried prehistoric deposits including hearths, structural remains, and pit features.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Andrew M. Mickelson, Ph.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ARCHAEOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES

1 JOHNSON HALL

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, TN 38152

(901-678-4505)

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