A Case Study of Cache Pit Construction, Use, and Abandonment from the Upper Great Lakes, USA

Bibliographic Data

ID11074008
AuthorsMichael J Hambacher (Archaeological Research and Consulting Services, Williamston, MI), Randall J Schaetzl (0000-0002-6070-1365, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume46
Issue4
Pages223-238
Publication date2021-05-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Field Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0093-4690 • E-ISSN: 2042-4582
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00934690.2021.1906053
OpenAlexW3145514796
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited27

Archaeological investigations on sandy, well-drained terraces of the Grand River in southwestern Michigan revealed a large number of shallow surface depressions, marking the locations of former cache pits, i.e., subterranean storage features. Our paper documents these pits, one of the largest arrays of cache pits reported for the Upper Great Lakes. Excavations into 29 cache pits revealed that they had been backfilled with generally artifact-poor sands. Prior to backfilling, the cache pits had been burned, leaving behind a black, charcoal-rich, charred horizon at their base, below the fill. This type of intentional burning has not previously been reported. Intentional re-use of cache pits was rare, if it occurred at all. Subsequently, pedogenesis has formed tongue-like soil horizons below the surface depressions. Radiocarbon dates from the cache pits, along with diagnostic artifacts, place the use of these features to the Late Precontact period, particularly the mid- to late 15th century a.d

Abandonment (legal · Archaeology · Cache · Geography · Mining engineering · Political science · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Natural History · Geology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · History