Group Mobility during the peri-Medieval Climatic Anomaly in the Nebraska Sand Hills (USA): Validity Results and Preliminary Insights from Ceramic OSL Dating and Characterization

Summary

The Medieval Climatic Anomaly (MCA) occurred from approximately AD 900-1300, affecting climate worldwide. In many regions, this climate change initiated behavioral shifts, resulting in new adaptations to the environment. Our goal is to investigate the potential reorganization of group mobility in the Sand Hills of central Nebraska during this period by examining the exploitation of clay sources over time. As little archaeological investigation has been done in this region, new techniques are sought to analyze the archaeological record. Here, we report on two facets of the project: first, on the results of a validity study of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sherds; and second, on the preliminary results of a pilot program of ceramic characterization and OSL dating designed to address this question. Sediment samples were collected from known Woodland, Central Plains Tradition, and Dismal River archaeological sites in the Sand Hills. Ceramic sherds are derived from site collections maintained by the Nebraska State Historical Society. Preliminary results indicate that our methods are viable for this region and these materials.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage