Time and Archaeological Traditions in the Lower Illinois Valley

Abstract

The issue of time remains a crucial one in Lower Illinois Valley archaeology, and key problems remain unresolved. In this paper, new radiocarbon assays and published dates are used to test hypotheses concerning intra-site bluff top mound chronologies, timing and structure of valley settlement, and the emergence of regional symbolic communities during the Middle Woodland period (ca. 50 cal B.C.-cal A.D. 400). We show that within sites Middle Woodland mounds were constructed first on prominent, distal bluff ridges and subsequently in less-visible spaces, though additional dates are needed to fully understand intra-site chronology. Our analyses generally support previous studies suggesting a north-to-south settlement trajectory of the valley, though habitation site dates indicate a more complicated pattern of regional occupation that has yet to be fully explicated. In addition, floodplain regional symbolic communities also emerged along a north-to-south pattern, though not as rapidly as bluff crest mounds. Importantly, results indicate future areas of research necessary to elucidate regional chronology, resettlement of the valley, and community interactions.

Hopewell Bladelets: A Bayesian Radiocarbon Analysis

“…If earthwork construction and bladelet production in Ohio began in the period between 50 cal BC and cal AD 1, then the correlation with important developments along the Illinois River at this time cannot be ignored. There is strong evidence that the group of materialized practices archaeologists now identify as Hopewell emerged in the central Illinois River valley between 200 and 100 cal BC and subsequently spread to the lower Illinois River valley, via human migration, by 50 cal BC (Buikstra and Charles 1999; Charles 2012; Griffin 1967; King, Buikstra, and Charles 2011). One defining characteristic of the early Hopewell occupations in the lower Illinois River valley is evidence for “direct contact with Ohio Hopewellian communities” (Farnsworth and Atwell 2015:208).…”

Mapping the Internal Structure of Hopewell Tumuli in the Lower Illinois River Valley through Archaeological Geophysics

“…Exceptions to the floodplain-bluff crest dichotomy exist, most notably large, bluff crest tumuli reminiscent of floodplain monuments, for example Elizabeth mounds 6 and 7 and Naples-Russell (11PK513) mound 8 (Buikstra and Charles 1999;King et al 2011;Ruby et al 2005). It is possible that large floodplain-like tumuli at Elizabeth and Naples-Russell were precursors to floodplain mound building, although spatial limitations within the floodplain near those sites may have been an important factor as well (King et al 2011).…”

“…More recently, floodplain mounds are considered as loci for ceremonial activity that reinforced the shared identity and cosmology of a number of communities in the region, in addition to limited funerary rituals (Buikstra and Charles 1999:215-218;Buikstra et al 1998:5-14). By either the economic or symbolic interpretation, floodplain-style mounds are recognized or referred to as multicommunity sites (King et al 2011;Ruby et al 2005:132-138) as opposed to bluff crest FIGURE 1. Lower Illinois River valley with study sites and key archaeological sites in the region.…”

Understanding Community: Microwear Analysis of Blades at the Mound House Site

“…(Ruby et al 2005). Bluff top mound groups functioned as cemeteries for residential communities (King, Buikstra, and Charles 2011;Ruby et al 2005).…”

“…House, little is known about additional activities, ceremonial or otherwise, that took place there, other than mound construction. Mound House, like other Middle Woodland floodplain mound groups in this region of Illinois, has been conceptualized as a regional ceremonial centers, where a symbolic community gathered for ceremonial and cooperative activities (King, Buikstra, and Charles 2011;Ruby et al 2005). The Mound House site in particular has been noted for the unique ritual complexity at the site, evidenced by a pre-mound ritual screen underneath mound 1.…”