Preliminary results from two Late Woodland trash pits from Block Island, Rhode Island

Summary

In the summer of 2015 an archaeological dig was conducted, as part of a salvage project due to new construction, at RI-2451 on Block Island, Rhode Island. A pre-Columbian Native American habitation area was identified near the shoreline of the Great Salt Pond, a large and almost enclosed body of water separating the north and south regions of Block Island. The pond has a small channel, artificially dug in the late 1800s, on its northwest shore to connect it with the Block Island Sound. The shores of the pond have a long history of human use and occupation evidenced by Native American habitation sites prior to and after contact with European settlers. RI-2451 adds to this occupation, dating to the Late Woodland period. This poster presents data recovered from two middens excavated at this habitation site. Marine shells, clam and oyster, were collected and analyzed to determine species, diet based on seasonal availability, chronological affiliation, as well as to determine midden depositional practice. Through an examination of food trash, I will discuss food consumption practices of Late Woodland Native American communities on Block Island, Rhode Island.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage