Modoc Rock Shelter Site, IL (11R5) 1987 Excavation Project

Summary

This project includes data from the 1987 excavation season at Modoc Rock Shelter (11R5). The 1987 archaeological excavation was directed by Dr. Steven Ahler under the auspices of the Illinois State Museum. Funding was provided by grants from the National Geographic Society (Grant No. 3621-87) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (Grant No. RO-21430) to the Illinois State Museum Society. Dr. Steven Ahler served as the Principal Investigator with Drs. Bonnie Styles and Melvin L. Fowler serving as Co-Principal Investigators. The Illinois State Museum and the MacLean-Fogg company provided supplemental funding.

The 1987 field season excavation focused on strata in the East Pillar area of the Main Shelter that radiocarbon dated to the early Late Archaic period. Four 1.5 m by 1.5 m units (Units K, L, M, and N) were excavated in no more than 10 cm levels following the natural and cultural stratigraphy. Sediments were dry-screened through 1/4" mesh. A standard flotation sample of 15 liters was taken from each level, and a 0.4 liter sample was taken for soil/sediment analysis. The flotation samples and sediment samples were taken roughly in a column, but were offset to avoid features or disturbances to the sediment matrix.

Faunal remains reported here were recovered by dry-screening through 1/4 inch mesh and from flotation (heavy fraction) using 1/16 inch mesh. Using the comparative faunal collection at the Illinois State Museum, Paula Thorson identified vertebrate remains from 1/4" screen and flotation and Dr. Bonnie Styles identified freshwater mussels from 1/4" screen only. Dr. Bonnie W. Styles directed the faunal analyses and verified faunal identifications.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Prairie Peninsula   •
• Modoc Rock Shelter (11R5), Randolph County, Illinois   •
• Eastern Archaic Faunal Working Group

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Radiocarbon Date: 4180 to 4020 (1984 East Pillar, Stratum 7E, Unit H, Feature 1013, ISGS -1298, Elevation, 125.31-125.19 meters above mean sea level, wood charcoal)

Radiocarbon Date: 4800 to 4660 (1987 East Pillar, Stratum 9E, Feature 1131, ISGS-1986, elevation 124.30 meters above mean sea level)

Radiocarbon Date: 4950 to 4690 (1984 East Pillar, Stratum 9E, Unit H, Feature 1029, ISGS-1340, Elevation 124.54-124.30 meters above mean sea level, wood charcoal)

Radiocarbon Date: 4920 to 4780 (1987 East Pillar, Stratum 9E, midden, ISGS-1983, elevation 124.43 meters above mean sea level)

Radiocarbon Date: 5090 to 4690 (1987 East Pillar, Stratum 8EC, midden, ISGS-1987, Elevation 124.50 meters above mean sea level)

Radiocarbon Date: 4420 to 4240 (1987 East Pillar, Stratum 8E, midden, ISGS-1982, Elevation 124.64 meters above mean sea level)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Mona Colburn

Contributor(s): Paula Thorson

Principal Investigator(s): Steven Ahler

Project Director(s): Bonnie Styles; Melvin L. Fowler

Repository(s): Illinois State Museum

Source Collections

Illinois State Museum