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Hedgepeth Mounds, an Archaic Mound Complex in North-Central Louisiana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Joe W. Saunders
Affiliation:
Regional Archaeology Program, Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, LA 71209
Thurman Allen
Affiliation:
Soil Conservation Service, 1605 Arizona St., Monroe, LA 71202

Abstract

In 1991, test excavations were conducted at Hedgepeth Mounds (16L17), a two-mound complex in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. Radiometric, archaeological, pedological, and geomorphological data suggest that the site dates to the Archaic period (6000-1500 B.C.). Charcoal from a hearth beneath Mound A dates to cal 2888 ± 100 B.C. A soil sample from the submound surface dates to cal 4930 ± 117 B.C. Two Archaic projectile points are among the artifacts from the submound surface. Diagnostic soil horizons in Mound A fill suggest the mound is of great antiquity. Soil cores from areas adjacent to Mound A have demonstrated that the living surface of the site is covered with approximately 1 m of alluvium, and that the alluvial mantle contains diagnostic soil horizons indicative of long-term weathering.

Resumen

Resumen

En 1991, se condujeron excavaciones de sondeo en Hedgepeth Mounds (16LI7), un complejo de terraplenes en Lincoln Parish, Louisiana. Los datos radiométricos, arqueológicos, pedológicos y geomorfológicas indican que el sitio es de la época Arcaica (6000-1500 A.C.). El carbón de un fogón subterráneo del terraplén A data de cal 2888 ± 100 A.C. Una muestra de suelo de depósitos subterráneos data de ca. 4930 ± 117 A.C. Los artefactos del relleno del terraplén incluyen dos puntas de projectil arcaicas. Las zonas diagnósticas del terraplén A indican que el terraplen es muy antiguo. Las columnas de suelo lomadas en las inmediaciones del terraplén A han demostrado que la superficie del sitio está cubierta de aproximadamente 1 m de aluvión y que el estrato aluvial contiene zonas diagnósticas que indican exposición prolongada.

Type
Reports
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1994

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