PROTEIN RESIDUE ANALYSIS OF LITHIC ARTIFACTS FROM THE JIM PITTS SITE, 39CU1142, SOUTH DAKOTA

Summary

Twenty-two lithic artifacts from the Jim Pitts site (39CU1142) in South Dakota were

analyzed for possible protein residues. Nine general soil samples also were tested. This site

appears to have experienced multiple occupations ranging from the Paleoindian to Late Plains

Archaic. The Paleoindian occupation yielded artifactual evidence for Foothills-Mountain, Cody,

Folsom, Agate Basin, and Goshen-Plainview components, withthe Goshen complex representing

the most intensive occupation of the site. The heavily processed remains of at least two bison

are associated with the Goshen component. The 22 artifacts analyzed for protein residues are

believed to represent the Paleoindian occupations. Immunological studies have shown that

protein residues from a tool's surface can be identified using modified forensic procedures.

Protein residue analysis of the artifacts from the Jim Pitts site is used to provide information

concerning prehistoric animals that may have been hunted/processed using these tools.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• PaleoResearch Institute

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