Interpreting architectural variation at the Wildcat site in Dayton, Ohio
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Date
2009-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
"Fort Ancient" is a term used by archaeologists to designate the material remains of a people who flourished along the middle Ohio River Valley and its tributaries between A.D. 1000 and 1670. Much is known about larger Fort Ancient villages, but very little attention has been given to smaller sites. This project examines a small archaeological site in Dayton, Ohio known as Wildcat (33My499) with the purpose of understanding its architectural layout and variation. It focuses on structural features, namely postholes, and their chronological and spatial relationships. A variety of posthole attributes reveals distinct structural forms within the site. Consideration of radiocarbon dates and diagnostic artifacts suggests the settlement may have been reoccupied or may have grown over time. It is possible that the inhabitants were one corporate group who expanded the breadth of the site as they grew in number. However, additional analysis is needed to further examine this issue.
First a brief introduction to the Fort Ancient culture, including pertinent data from other relevant Fort Ancient sites is examined. This is followed by an overview of the Wildcat site. Finally, after describing the methodology employed, results are presented. Limitations in the evidence preclude definitive interpretations, but some hypotheses are forwarded for future testing.
Advisor: Robert A. Cook
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Keywords
Archaeology, Fort Ancient, Ohio Prehistory