Assessing Cortex at the Beaucoup Site (24PH188/189) in Northern Montana

Summary

Although archaeological analyses of lithic assemblages generate large quantities of data, it can be difficult to equate the observations with past behaviors. One variable state regularly recorded is that of cortex. The presence/absence of cortex is often linked to reduction intensity with variable cortical frequencies linked to early or late stage reduction and potentially reflective of residential mobility. However, we lack reliable markers or values to support our interpretations. Recently, Harold Dibble (and others) have proposed a method for evaluating assemblage cortex by comparing observed and expected frequencies. These values serve as a baseline for interpreting and understanding assemblage variability along the lines of forager mobility. This paper applies the method developed by Dibble and others to the lithic assemblage from the Beaucoup site (24PH188/189) in northern Montana, a Late Prehistoric site with spatially distinct kill, processing, and residential areas. The lithic raw materials found in the assemblage (particularly quartzites) occur on-site and, as a result raw material size, shape, and origins are known. Our preliminary examination of cortex patterns indicates spatial differences between the areas of the site which may reflect variations in residential mobility.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22430