SITE 20MD534

Site 20MD534 is an early nineteenth century Chippewa habitation site located about 150 meters east of the Cater site. This site was discovered during exploratory excavations in May 1999 by the Oxbow Archaeologists and a field crew from Alma College directed by Scott Beld. We began these test excavations in 1998 in an effort to identify other archaeological sites in the vicinity of the Cater site. Our original intent was to identify additional Chippewa habitation sites. Because several artifact categories at the Cater site could be associated with both the Chippewa and settler occupations, we hoped that finding Chippewa occupations without overlying settler occupations would allow us a better understanding of the Chippewa occupations.

The test excavations consisted of one meter squares excavated at five meter intervals along the top of the terrace to the east of the Cater site. In the 1998 season we tested 100 meters east of the Cater site and identified a site, 20MD533, between 50 and 100 meters east of the Cater site. This site produced numerous animal bone fragments, a frizzen spring (from a flintlock rifle or musket), and brass fragments. Other than the test excavations, we have not yet excavated at this site. In the 1999 season, we tested an area between 100 and 200 meters east of the Cater site and identified site 20MD534.

Excavations were conducted at site 20MD534 in the 2000 and 2001 field season. At the present time 141 square meters have been excavated. Excavations in the 2000 season were focused on the plow zone on top of the terrace where we opened a large block excavation. Numerous features including smudge pits, hearths, and postmolds were identified. At the end of the 2000 season we excavated three test units on the floodplain at the base of the terrace and identified another sheet midden similar to the Cater site midden (see MIDDEN). This midden contained numerous bone fragments, mainly deer, though most other animals present in the forest at the time are also represented. In the 2001 season, while excavating some units on top of the terrace, the main focus of our excavations was the midden on the floodplain. We are not currently excavating at site 20MD534 due to a large backlog of flotation and 1/8" screen samples that are currently being processed. Once these samples are processed we plan on returning to the site to expand our excavations in the midden, excavate features and trace postmold patterns.

The pictures in the photo gallery below show the excavations. Excavation #1 and #2 show the Alma College crew excavating at the site in 2000. These two pictures were taken on the floodplain in the area where we latter identified the midden looking towards the top of the terrace. Excavation #3 shows Oxbow Archaeologists, from left to right, Alex McKelvy, Al Stark, and Brigitte Glaser excavating at the site in 2001. Excavation #4 shows Oxbow Archaeologists Marianne McKelvy, Al Stark, and John Heintz screening at the site in 2001. Excavation #5 shows Oxbow Archaeologist Marianne McKelvy, Dave Frurip, and John Osborne excavating in the midden at the site in 2001. This picture is taken on top of the terrace looking down on the floodplain.

Among the most common artifacts at 20MD534 are beads. These include black or white cylindrical glass beads, shell wampum beads, and seed beads. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 BEADS.

Numerous fragments of trade silver ornaments have been recovered from the site. Most of these are similar to varieties also found at the Cater site. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 TRADE SILVER.

Brass kettle fragments were among the most common artifacts on the site. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 KETTLE FRAGMENTS.

Both stone and white clay tobacco pipe fragments have been recovered from the site. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 PIPES.

A couple gun parts as well as artifacts related to firearms have been recovered. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 FIREARMS.

A few one-piece metal buttons were found during the excavations. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 BUTTONS.

Several fragments of Euro-American ceramics were recovered from the site. The varieties date to the 1820's and 1830's and can be associated with the Chippewa occupation of the site. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 CERAMICS.

Faunal remains were by far the most common artifact recovered from 20MD534. For pictures and descriptions, follow this link: 20MD534 FAUNAL REMAINS.

There is a continuous distribution of prehistoric material between the Cater site and 20MD534. A selection of prehistoric artifacts from 20MD534 can be observed by following this link: 20MD534 PREHISTORIC.