T8 The Peopling of the New World: Geology, Archaeology, and Paleoenvironments
Sunday, 2 November 2003
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
GEOARCHAEOLOGY OF LATE PLEISTOCENE OCCUPATION AT THE INDIAN SANDS SITE, SOUTHERN NORTHWEST COAST
Paper number: T8-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM
Authors
Abstract
Geoarchaeological investigations at the Indian Sands site during 2001-2003, located on the southern Oregon coast, revealed a cultural occupation associated with an exhumed paleosol containing charcoal dated to 10,430 BP. A review of site stratigraphy and radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dating will frame discussion on the timing and paleoenvironmental context of early cultural occupation and provides geomorphic insights on where late Pleistocene-age sites may be preserved elsewhere. Additional discussion on the distribution of economically significant chert toolstone sources is offered as a means of locating other early coastal sites.