Draft Report of Research at Site 48-LA-277, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming

Summary

Research at site 48LA277 was completed in cooperation with an interpretive program at F.E. Warren Air Force Base to provide data to interpret prehistoric cultural resources on the base. Funding was provided through the Department of Defense's Legacy Program. A total of 3.5 cubic meters was excavated within five units. Within these units six features were documented, and four totally excavated. This included one rock-lined basin (Feature 2), two rock-filled hearths (Features 1 and 4), and two basin-shaped areas of highly organic soil (Features 3 and 5). Feature 6 was exposed and consisted of a concentration of fired rock with no organic staining apparent at the surface. It was not excavated, both for lack of time and so that it could later be used for interpretive purposes. A portion of Feature 2 was also left in situ for interpretive purposes. Site 48LA277 is a campsite affiliated with the Plains Woodland cultures. The affiliation is based on the ceramic and projectile point styles, and corroborated by the radiocarbon dates. The site is a result of a series of overlapping camps utilized by a population whose economy was based on hunting and gathering. Resources utilized in the area include antelope, smaller mammals, goosefoot and pigweed seeds, and berries. The site is probably part of a settlement pattern that included moving from the mountains in the warm season to the plains in the cool seasons.

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 648 to 1090 (Radiocarbon Sample 1)

Radiocarbon Date: 1230 to 1070 (Radiocarbon Sample 1)

Calendar Date: 395 to 890 (Feature 3 - Charcoal)

Calendar Date: 895 to 1230 (Radiocarbon Sample 2)

Radiocarbon Date: 1040 to 900 (Radiocarbon Sample 2)

Radiocarbon Date: 1540 to 1240 (Feature 3 - Charcoal)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): F.E. Warren Air Force Base CRM Manager

Record Identifiers

Project #(s): 840925

File Information