North American Archaeologist

Recent excavations at a narrow draw in close proximity to Tomcat Cave, one of Idaho's cold storage caves, exposed a concentration of charred mammal bones and a rock lined hearth in association with an elaborate series of rock alignments. Much of the long bone falls within the bovid size range (bison) and appears to be the byproduct of stone boiling or bone soup making. Radiocarbon dates from the hearth, and the presence of Intermountain ware ceramics, Rose Spring and Desert Side-notched points indicate use of the site during the very late Holocene. Analogous artifacts recovered from the mouth of Tomcat Cave indicate that hunting activities at Bison Heights and use of the cave likely coincided. The rock features at the site and those documented elsewhere within the region indicate that narrow topographic features were used as procurement locales for big game. However, limited amount of bone recovered near these features indicates that only a small number of animals were acquired during single hunting events.

Perishable architectural evidence recovered from prehistoric sites can be used to address significant archaeological questions regarding natural formation processes, occupation duration, and the physical appearance of houses. Specifically, postholes, wall daub, and mud dauber nests hold a variety of clues. Posthole frequency can be used to refine site chronology. Posthole size can be used to examine the structural capacities of house walls, and they often contain wood charcoal that can inform of the species type used for construction. Daub can help with the interpretation of wall thickness, construction materials, and building techniques. Mud dauber nests can provide key roof construction details such as rafter size and roofing material. Houses reconstructed based on archaeological evidence can in turn provide important experimental evidence useful for furthering our knowledge of natural formation processes.

While many archaeological societies are struggling to stay viable, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Better days are to come. American archaeology will soon launch into a new cycle of growth that is focused on Public Archaeology. This social change is due to Baby Boomers desiring meaningful recreation in their retirement years and to a new role for archaeology as an element of popular culture. The new Public Archaeology will focus on providing educational entertainment on many topics that interest Americans. This article is specifically aimed at discussing ways to enhance Oklahoma Public Archaeology but the general issues are pertinent to all areas of North America.