Beyond the Biface: Revisiting Cobble Tool Use During the Cascade Phase at the Kelly Forks Work Center Site, Idaho

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Cascade Phase, spanning roughly 9000-5000 years BP, is defined by distinctive lithic technology and edge-ground cobbles. Archaeological data suggests mobile foragers temporarily camped in resource-rich areas during this period. Despite its recognition as a unique cultural period, our understanding of Cascade Phase lifeways, particularly resource use and subsistence strategies, remains incomplete. While previous research heavily emphasized hunting-related biface technology, the presence of cobbles with edge-grinding features remains enigmatic. These cobbles have been hypothesized to represent various plant and animal food processing activities, yet few focused studies provide data supporting these hypotheses. This has left a significant gap in the literature regarding the Cascade Phase tool kit and an incomplete picture of site activities and resource utilization. To bridge this knowledge gap, this research employs macroscopic use-wear and plant microfossil analysis of cobble tools from a well-documented, substantial Cascade Phase cobble feature at the Kelly Forks Work Center Site in traditional territory of the Nez Perce (Nimíipuu) Tribe located in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho. This research aims to shed light on the unexplored aspects of Cascade Phase lifeways, the role of cobble tools in resource exploitation, and connections to traditional subsistence practices of the Nez Perce (Nimíipuu).

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40428.0